SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW, ECONOMICS

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:
Senior Research Fellow, Economics / Salary:
£33,609 + benefits
Responsible to: / Responsible for:
Interns
Contract:
Permanent / Start Date:
A.S.A.P

The key responsibilities and duties for this post are:

  • Directly contribute towards relevant project research, for example on the project A Northern Economic Agenda
  • Monitor the evolving regional economic policy framework, including national, regional and city-level developments
  • Undertake quantitative data analysis and manipulation as required, preferably including the use of major standard data packages
  • Produce written and other outputs – including reports, articles, presentations and informal advice – for government, business, policy and academic audiences
  • Developing and expanding the work programme on regional economic issues, including devising new projects
  • Develop and maintain a network of relevant contacts in government, political, media, policy, practitioner and academic interest communities
  • Co-ordinating and overseeing an events programme for relevant project work
  • Undertake fund-raising, maintaining links with existing funders and identifying further funding sources
  • Represent ippr north at events and in the media, working to develop the office’s profile
  • Contribute to the general intellectual capital of ippr, actively contributing to appropriate internal forums.
  • Due to the nature of the organisation and the environment in which it operates the Senior Research Fellow will be expected to develop and grow with the role, therefore it is not expected the duties will remain static

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Skills

  • Graduate
  • Extensive and demonstrable relevant policy experience
  • Detailed knowledge of UKregional economics, urban economics and/or regeneration
  • Experience of quantitative data analysis and manipulation, including use of major standard data packages
  • Demonstrable and proven writing and presentation skills: for example to a wide range of audiences and the production of short succinct pieces such as press releases and in depth research materials
  • Proven project management skills
  • Understanding of Government and how to effect positive change in policy making and practice
  • Good existing contacts among practitioners, policy makers and academics

Personal Attributes

  • Ability to work independently ensuring deadlines are met to a consistently high standard
  • Understanding of the need and commitment towards taking an active role in the team and wider organisation
  • Ability to relate confidently and positively to people inside and outside ippr north, comfortable putting forward and justifying one’s views
  • Commitment to the values and ethos of ippr

Desirable qualities

  • Knowledge of relevant international policy environments
  • Experience of dealing with the media

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

ippr north is a unique venture. When Tony Blair MP formally opened the office in January 2004, ippr became the first UK think tank to set up a regional office. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, ippr north reflects our long-held aspiration to ensure that our work is relevant to all of the UK and reaches beyond the Westminster village. ippr is the UK’s leading progressive think tank with a reputation for high quality, cutting edge research and policy. We are a registered charity whose purpose is to contribute to public understanding of social, economic and policy questions through research, discussion and publication.

ippr north has an active programme of seminars, research and publications. We work in a wide range of fields from economic development to civic society and governance, from environmental sustainability to education, health and transport. ippr specialises in innovative, robust policy research. We are able to attract media and political interest and have a long track record of influencing public debate and government policy.

We are expanding our activity in regional economic policy which has necessitated this appointment. The initial primary commitment for this post will be to the following project:

A Northern Economic Agenda

Regional economic policy matters. Without a strong regional economic policy the UK will achieve neither economic efficiency nor social justice. Unbalanced growth will undermine national economic performance and reducing disparities in prosperity across the UK is vital for improving individual's life chances.

Currently, GDP per head in the northern regions is substantially below the UK average, and disparities between the regions have increased over the last decade. Recent years have seen a renewed interest in regional economic policy, with a Government target to 'reduce the persistent gap in growth rates between the regions', the development of The Northern Way and a renewed interest in City-Regions. However, it is still unlikely that current approaches will fundamentally alter the economic geography of the United Kingdom.

This project aims to shape the regional economic agenda. In the run-up to the Comprehensive Spending Review we will come forward with a clear set of policy recommendations that will have practical implications and which will help revive the economies of the North.

ippr north will contribute to regional economic policy debates in a number of ways:

  • we will hold a number of public debates across Northern England, in order to generate wider public debate on important policy challenges.
  • we will publish a number of background papers in key policy areas, such as skills, enterprise and transport. These will offer practical policy recommendations.
  • we will hold research seminars on difficult public policy issues, held under 'Chatham House' rules to promote frank and honest debate.
  • we will publish a keynote publication, making a significant statement on the future of regional economic policy in Northern England.

LOCATION

Our offices are based in the Bioscience Centre, The International Centre for Life in Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne. We reserve the right to move your base within the North East area in the event of the organisation relocating to new offices.

WORKING HOURS

You are employed as a full-time member of staff, working 37.5 hours a week between 8.30 – 6.00pm including a lunch hour. Exact timings can be individually negotiated with your line manager. Due to the nature of this post you will sometimes be expected to work outside these hours. Overtime is not paid, and we do not operate a time-off-in-lieu policy, but we do embrace flexible working practices and endeavour to accommodate requests where possible.

SALARY

£33,609per annum pro rata paid monthly into your bank account.

PENSION

The Institute offers a stakeholder pension scheme which it will contribute up to 5% of annual salary (based on the postholder matching this contribution)

BENEFITS

The Institute offers a generous benefits package including full maternity / adoption leave andfully paid paternity leave. In addition interest free loans are available to cover travel or bike purchases.

ANNUAL LEAVE

Annual Leave @ 25 days per annum pro rata + statutory holiday and Christmas break: offices are closed on 25th December and re-open on 2nd January (this does not come from the 25 days annual leave entitlement).

START DATE & PROBATION PERIOD

We are looking for the successful candidate to start as soon as possible.The probation period will last for six months.

STRUCTURE / MANAGEMENT

ippr north’s structure consists of a Director, a Research Director, an External Affairs Manager, a Research Fellow, a Research Assistant and a Team Administrator.

ippr’s structure consists of 11 research teams, a central operations team and External Affairs Team. ippr north is a separate team, which encompasses both research and external affairs.

APPLICATION

Please ensure you have read and understood the above information. Complete the Application Form ensuring that you outline how all your skills and experience meet the requirements of this Job Description and Person Specification.

Applicants will be assessed on whether their skills, experience, knowledge etc match the above specification. Please make sure you address these criteria in your application. We will make no assumptions regarding the duties your present/previous post entails.

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 5pm on Monday 3rd April 2006. Interviews will take place on 24th April 2006.

Unfortunately, due to limited resources and a high number of applicants for advertised positions, we are unable to reply to all applicants. If you do not hear from us by the interview date or receive a letter inviting you to interview, your application has not been taken forward.

In addition, applicants should note that we only provide personal feedback on interview performance. We are unable to provide feedback on application forms.

References may be taken up if you are short listed for interview, unless you specify otherwise.

As part of our Equal Opportunities procedure, could you also complete and return the Monitoring Form. This form will be separated from your application upon receipt. Please do not write your name on this form.

Please return your completed applications to:

Recruitment

ippr

30-32 Southampton Street

London

WC2E 7RA

Alternatively email completed applications to:

WE DO ACCEPT CV’S AS APPLICATIONS FOR OUR VACANCIES