Government research officer

Government research officer job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Government research officers work for the departments of central government and within local authority housing, economic, environment, development departments etc. Primary responsibilities of the job include:

• writing research specifications
• agreeing project requirements, objectives and research reference terms
• searching for and retrieving information from paper-based sources, the internet, online databases etc
• interviewing members of the public
• using a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods
• analysing data
• making conference presentations
• liaising with policy customers and external researchers
• supervising, tutoring and acting as a mentor to junior/external researchers
• handling competitive tendering activities
• making sure that agreed project deadlines are met
• writing/editing draft questionnaires and reports
• keeping up-to-date with research/policy developments
• distributing information in a variety of formats
• writing speeches, articles, policy papers and party briefs
• liaising with, advising and answering enquiries from MPs, related agencies, parliamentary advisers, members of the public, academics and local councils.

Government departments typically recruit independently on an ad hoc basis. Opportunities are advertised via the internet, in national newspapers and relevant publications such as the SRA Newsletter, New Statesman and Society and The House Magazine. As vacancies generally attract strong competition, it is advisable to make speculative applications during the first term of your final year.

Qualifications and training required

A good honours degree (2.1+) is almost always essential for entry into the profession. Preferred subjects include sociology, psychology, operational research, social/population studies, mathematics, statistics and economics. A postgraduate qualification may be beneficial, particularly for graduates without relevant first degrees. Candidates must be able to demonstrate a genuine knowledge of how parliament operates and an understanding of the British political system.

Key skills for government research officers

Employers seek motivated individuals with good research, information, organisational, numerical, analytical, communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills. Knowledge and experience of social research methods, statistical techniques, social policy and specialist computer software including databases is usually required. Potential employees should be capable of dealing confidently with people in important and influential positions.