Research Apprentice - Wales Centre for Public Policy

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Research Apprentice - Wales Centre for Public Policy

The Wales Centre for Public Policy ( www.wcpp.org.uk/ ) is a unique £8 million initiative which is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and Welsh Government, with additional support from Cardiff University. Its mission is to increase the use of research evidence by government and public services to improve policy decisions and outcomes for the public.

The Centre is independent of government but works closely with ministers, civil servants, local government, and the health service to generate high quality evidence and analysis that informs and improves national and local strategies, policies, and programmes. It is part of the UK’s What Works network and collaborates with colleagues from across the UK and internationally to mobilise evidence that addresses major societal challenges.

The Centre’s Research Apprenticeship scheme runs on an annual basis. Previous apprentices are studying for PhD’s and working in the UK and Welsh Governments. The Centre is seeking an outstanding graduate who can bridge the worlds of research and policy and is committed to producing high quality, policy relevant research and analysis. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of current policy debates including issues such as recovery from COVID-19, decarbonisation, economic growth and prosperity, closing the attainment gap, and the future funding and organisation of health and social care. 

You will work with colleagues to scope and undertake assignments for Welsh Government ministers and public services and be mentored by the Centre’s senior staff. You will have opportunities to undertake at least two work shadowing placements at relevant governmental/policy organisations such as the Welsh Government and contribute to academic papers.

Applicants are asked to answer the following question at the start of their supporting statement. Your answer should be as concise as possible and must not exceed 250 words per question.

The Wales Centre for Public Policy provides evidence to enable Welsh Government, local authorities, health boards and other public bodies in Wales make policy decisions and improve public services. Imagine that we’ve been asked by the First Minister to provide evidence on what the Welsh Government should do to tackle climate change. He needs a report in three months’ time. What steps would you take to provide evidence on this question?

For further information, please see this blog on the Scheme . If you have any queries about the role, you may email the Centre’s current Research Apprentice at [email protected] k

The post is full-time (35 hours) and fixed term for a one-year appointment from 1st October 2022.

Salary: £27,924 - £32,344 per annum (Grade 5)

Date advert posted: Friday, 20 May 2022

Closing date: Friday, 17 June 2022

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements. Cardiff Business School is particularly looking to recruit from under-represented groups within the School

“Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/our-research-environment/integrity-and-ethics/responsible-research-assessment”

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Job Description

Main function

This post offers a unique opportunity for an outstanding graduate to obtain first-hand experience of policy relevant research, working closely with leading academics, senior policymakers, and public services. It provides an excellent foundation for progression to future academic research or a career in a think tank, government, or the voluntary sector. 

You will work with the Centre’s teams who are undertaking research directly for Welsh Government ministers, local authorities, and the health service, as well as academic research. You will benefit from mentoring by senior staff and have opportunities to participate in work placements in a range of relevant organisations

Main duties 
•    To undertake research to address the evidence needs of government ministers’ and public services by conducting literature reviews, planning projects, identifying, and commissioning experts, and drafting/editing reports.
•    To contribute to the research team’s work on evidence use and policy-making with opportunities to write journal articles/conference papers.
•    To analyse and communicate complex ideas and concepts using appropriate methods.
•    To communicate the Centre’s research via policy reports, seminars, newsletters, blogs, and social media.
•    To support the organisation of events including seminars, workshops and briefings for ministers and public service leaders.
•    To proactively engage in a range of personal and professional development activities that will enhance performance in the role, including those within the Cardiff Researcher Programme.
•    To keep a ‘learning log’ to facilitate critical reflection on the experience of working in the Centre and produce a blog capturing these reflections.
•    To participate in Centre administration and activities to promote our work to the wider University and the outside world.
•    Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role. 

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education 
1.    A 2.1 or above in a relevant discipline.
(Note – this post is not designed for those who are undertaking or have already completed a PhD). 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 
2.    Knowledge of appropriate research methods and techniques.
3.    Proven ability to analyse complex information and data and to summarise appropriately.
4.    Strong organisational skills and the ability to ensure that projects are delivered on time. 

Communication and Team Working 
5.    Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively in ways that will be applicable to policymakers, practitioners and/or academic audiences.
6.    Demonstrable ability to work effectively as part of a team. 

Other
7.    Excellent inter-personal skills.
8.    Interest in and knowledge of current public policy challenges in Wales and beyond. 

Desirable Criteria  
9.    Experience of managing, conducting and/or using research in the public sector, research organisations, think tanks or similar settings.
10.    Proven ability to work without close supervision and prioritise tasks appropriately

Additional Information

Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University
Cardiff Business School is widely regarded as one of the leading business and management schools in the UK, ranked 6th in the UK for the quality of its research in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF).　 We educate over 3,500 students annually, including over 1,500 international students. Cardiff Business School has an international faculty of world-leading scholars and our research reputation has helped us become an attractive centre of scholarship for colleagues from the UK and beyond. As the world’s first Public Value Business School, Cardiff Business School has a commitment to delivering societal as well as economic value though the undertaking of world leading inter-disciplinary research addressing the grand challenges facing business and organisations.

Application Information
A Supporting Statement or Cover Letter must be completed before you begin making your application on line as you will be required to upload it.  The title you give your documents should include your name and the post reference number (five-digit number ending "14277BR").  

Candidates should evidence how they meet all the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable.  If candidates do not provide written evidence, in separate supporting document(s), of how they meet all of our essential criteria their application will not be progressed.

Job Category

Academic - Research