Part 1: JOB DESCRIPTION s5

Part 1: JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Researcher

DEPARTMENT: External Affairs

TEAM: Research and Evaluation team

LOCATION: Ewell, Surrey

1.  POSITION IN ORGANISATION

·  Reports into Assistant Director, Research & Influencing

·  Line Manages: No staff

·  Liaises with teams across the organisation, academics and other key stakeholders

·  Works within a team of six

2.  MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

To deliver a new research and policy project for Samaritans, managing all aspects of the study from developing the design, to working with key stakeholders, undertaking the research, analysing the findings and writing the report.

The project will involve working with the University of Exeter and a partner organisation to:

·  Conduct a rigorous analysis of current local authority suicide prevention strategies and plans

·  Produce a thematic review of the challenges and opportunities in local suicide prevention

·  Support the practical application of the findings from the review.

3.  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

To conduct a rigorous analysis of local authority suicide prevention strategies and plans

·  To collate suicide prevention strategies and action plans from all local authorities in England

·  To conduct a robust documentary analysis of the strategies and plans, agreeing the information to be captured (both quantitative and qualitative) with key partners and stakeholders

To conduct interviews with a representative sample of local authorities

·  To agree a sampling strategy for local authorities to be interviewed, drawing on the analysis of plans and obtaining agreement from key stakeholders

·  To contact local authorities in line with the sampling strategy and secure research participants

·  To arrange and conduct semi-structured interviews and analyse using qualitative methods.

To report on the research findings, providing a thematic review of current practice and highlighting challenges and opportunities

·  To bring together the findings from the documentary analysis of local plans and the research interviews

·  To ensure findings from the research are understood within the context of our existing knowledge about suicide and suicidal behaviour

·  To write a thematic review with recommendations for sector led improvement

·  To prepare and agree a dissemination strategy with key stakeholders for the review.

Stakeholder engagement

·  To liaise with the University of Exeter and other key stakeholders, providing updates as necessary and ensuring smooth day to day running of the research

·  To ensure all local authorities are aware of and engaged with the research

·  To engage with experts in this area of research to help inform the research.

General Duties of a Samaritans’ Staff Member

·  Contribute to the effective and efficient running of the Central Office as appropriate.

·  Participate, as appropriate, in staff forums and meetings.

·  Adhere to Samaritans’ policies and procedures.

·  Represent the Central Office appropriately across the organisation and Samaritans to the wider community as appropriate.

·  Treat all colleagues, volunteers and members of the public with dignity and work within and adhere to Samaritans’ equal opportunities statement and policies.

·  Carry out reasonable requests made that are within the broad remit of the role

Part 2: PERSON SPECIFICATION

4.  SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

·  Excellent qualitative research skills and experience of using a range of research techniques

·  Experience of scoping, planning and undertaking research using a variety of methodologies.

·  Proven ability to analyse and critically assess a variety of evidence, including academic research, grey literature, health and social policy, expert opinion, qualitative and quantitative data.

·  Experience of working productively with a range of internal teams, external partners and public sector stakeholders.

·  Proven ability to extract key points, implications and recommendations from evidence

·  Excellent communications skills with proven ability to write clearly and succinctly for a variety of audiences.

·  Ability to translate complex information into accessible language suitable for non-academic audiences (e.g. internal teams, policy makers, the media, general public).

·  Demonstrable experience of qualitative data analysis software packages.

·  Significant experience of undertaking research in a related field (e.g. suicide prevention, mental health, social or health policy.)

Desirable

·  Experience of undertaking applied research

·  Experience of working with third sector and/or local authorities

·  Knowledge of research on suicide and suicide prevention

·  Experience in writing to a publishable standard

5.  QUALIFICATIONS

Postgraduate degree in relevant social science, policy or health related discipline, including research methods component

6.  PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

·  Highly organised and systematic

·  High degree of accuracy and attention to detail

·  A positive, problem solving approach to obstacles

·  Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate and persuade others

·  Commitment to team-working, and respect and consideration for the skills of others

·  Self-motivated, pro-active, innovative, and able to use initiative where appropriate

·  Hardworking and able to structure and prioritise work

·  Excellent time management, with the ability to manage a range of urgent and important tasks.

·  Emotionally resilient to sensitive information.

·  Empathises with Samaritans’ values.

·  Customer-focused.

·  Is willing and able to travel and attend occasional weekend meetings and participate in some out of hours work

Signed by employee:______Date: ______

LAST UPDATED: [date]

This job description is a statement of requirements at the time of writing and is not contractual. It should not be seen as precluding future changes after appointment to this role.