Researcher

Researcher

£44,322 - £47,982 

35 hours per week

Temporary for up to 2 years

Dundee

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Who we are 

We are the independent regulator for social service workers in Scotland. Our work means the people of Scotland can count on social work, social care and children and young people services being provided by a trusted, skilled and confident workforce. 

We protect the public by registering people working in social work, social care and children and young people services, setting standards for their practice, conduct, training and education and by supporting their professional development. Where people fall below the standards of practice and conduct, we can investigate and take action. 

About the role 

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) is a recognised official statistics provider. 

We're seeking a proactive Researcher to lead on research activity for the SSSC. 

The successful candidate will join us at an exciting time, working with modern technologies in an agile environment supporting our existing data and intelligence functions. 

In this role, you'll be at the forefront of researching, gathering, analysing and interpreting a range of quantitative and qualitative data, and national policies, and ensure that findings are presented clearly to support data driven decisions. 

Your main responsibilities will include defining research objectives, conducting both primary and secondary research, and analysing data to identify key trends and patterns. Your expertise will guide strategic decision-making, helping to shape policies and initiatives within the social services sector. 

You'll work closely with a variety of stakeholders, including SSSC staff, Scottish Government teams, workforce employers, other regulators and educational institutions. 

You'll write accessible reviews, clearly presenting insights and themes. Your role includes preparing and delivering research findings through reports and presentations, ensuring they are engaging and meet professional standards. 

You will also develop research systems, use relevant software, and support colleagues in transforming data into valuable intelligence. 

What you need to succeed 

The ideal candidate for this role will have a degree in a relevant field or at least three years of experience in an analytical and research role. They should demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development. 

The candidate should have extensive experience using various analytical methods to extract insights from large datasets, intelligence, and policy reviews. 

Additionally, they should be skilled in both secondary and primary research and capable of clearly communicating complex analyses, both in writing and verbally, tailored to the needs of different audiences. 

Why work for us 

We are an ambitious, enthusiastic and supportive organisation. With around 300 employees, you can really make an impact here. We offer a generous salary, flexible working arrangements, a full range of benefits, local government pension scheme and up to 43 days holiday (dependent on service). 

You can find out more about the benefits of working here on our website. 

Our office is in Dundee and we have an agile working policy. We encourage remote working and support a less office-based format. We are happy to discuss individual arrangements and consider agile working, depending on job requirements (such as being in the office for training events and meetings etc). 

We do meet in the office regularly (at least once a month) or when appropriate for the task at hand. 

How to apply 

You’ll find more information in the job profile and person specification on our full advert on the SSSC website, along with details of how to apply - the closing date is 8.00am on Monday 7 October 2024. We expect to hold interviews in the week commencing 21 October 2024.