Job Descriptions

Government Social Research Officer Job Description

What is the job description of a Government Social Research Officer? What are the duties and responsibilities of a Government Social Research Officer? What does a Government Social Research Officer do?

Job description of a Government Social Research Officer

Government social research officers provide research input for the analysis required to develop, implement, review and evaluate new and existing government policies. This research evidence helps inform the policy decisions of ministers.

Government social research officers liaise closely with civil servants and other government analysts, such as operational researchers, economists and statisticians. The role involves responsibility for the research and analysis of policy, as well as commissioning and managing research.

This Government Social Research Officer job description example includes the list of most important Government Social Research Officer duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Government Social Research Officer profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Government Social Research Officer Duties and Responsibilities

Government Social Research Officer job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Conducting, or commissioning then analysing, in-depth interviews with members of the public and large-scale data sets;
  • Explaining complex ideas and findings in a way that can be easily understood;
  • Ensuring that research is conducted within a set time frame to meet policy requirements;
  • Managing junior staff (supervising, encouraging and mentoring);
  • Commenting on draft research instruments, such as questionnaires, and editing draft reports;
  • Working on a wide range of research projects and employing a range of different research methodologies (if undertaking research internally);
  • Delivering presentations at conferences.
  • Agreeing the terms of reference for research;
  • Commissioning and project-managing research projects;
  • Keeping up to date with developments in policy and social issues, as well as qualitative and quantitative research methods;
  • Providing information and analysis on a policy issue and its development;
  • Providing information on what research is already available in a policy area;
  • Working in close partnership with external research contractors, other government analysts, and policy colleagues during the course of the research;
  • Producing both written and oral briefs for policy colleagues and ministers, based on reviews of research evidence;
  • Responding to external and internal research enquiries from colleagues, government
  • Discussing and agreeing project requirements with clients (policy officials, ministers);
  • Drafting research specifications;
  • Managing competitive tendering exercises;
  • Ensuring quality control of research;

Government Social Research Officer Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Government Social Research Officer job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • Graduate degree in a graduate degree such as sociology, criminology, geography, political science, psychology, politics, human geography, statistics and economics.
  • Knowledge and experience of social research methods, statistical techniques, social policy and specialist computer software including databases is usually required.
  • Motivated individuals with good research, information, organisational, numerical, analytical, communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Government Social Research Officer starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Government Social Research Officer job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Government Social Research Officer may also reference it in preparation for the interview.