Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Edinburgh or Glasgow. Consumer Scotland operates a hybrid working policy, with most staff blending their working week between home-working and office-working. The post is a full-time role, but staff with different working patterns are invited to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post. About the job Job summary Consumer Scotland is the statutory body for consumers in Scotland. Established by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020, it is accountable to the Scottish Parliament. Consumer Scotlands purpose is to improve outcomes for current and future consumers and its strategic objectives are: To enhance understanding and awareness of consumer issues by strengthening the evidence base To serve the needs and aspirations of current and future consumers by inspiring and influencing the public, private and third sectors To enable the active participation of consumers in a fairer economy by improving access to information and support The staff of Consumer Scotland are civil servants. Consumer Scotland provides consumer advocacy and advice with a view to Reducing harm to consumers in Scotland Increasing confidence among consumers in Scotland in dealing with businesses that supply goods and services to consumers Increasing the extent to which consumer matters are taken into account by public authorities in Scotland Promoting sustainable consumption of natural resources, and other environmentally sustainable practices, in relation to the acquisition, use and disposal of goods by consumers in Scotland Otherwise advancing inclusion, fairness, prosperity and other aspects of wellbeing in Scotland. Consumer Scotland formally came into existence on 1st April 2022 and was launched publicly on 22nd June 2022. It now has approximately 35 staff who work in one of three directorates: operations and partnerships; policy and advocacy; and research, analysis and investigations. Consumer Scotland is funded through a combination of grant funding from the Scottish Government and levy funding from the regulated markets of energy, water and post. Consumer Scotland is committed to ensuring that its policy advocacy is based on robust evidence. Consumer Scotlands research, analysis and investigations directorate is central to this ethos, producing rigorous, high quality and policy relevant research and analysis. Job description The post-holder will work as part of the Research Team within Consumer Scotlands Research, Analysis and Investigations Directorate. This team primarily provides research leadership and support to the policy teams in Energy, Water, Post and general consumer markets. This has included leading the procurement of research projects as well as project managing commissioned research. The projects have used a range of methodologies including qualitative research methods, deliberative methods, quantitative survey methods as well as mixed methods. As part of a relatively small team, the post-holder will work on a wide range of consumer related issues. You will be supported by the Research Manager and the Head of Research to work with colleagues across the directorate and wider organisation to deliver high quality research. Current projects the research team are supporting include: Qualitative research exploring the experiences of disabled consumers living in Rural Scotland Qualitative research on the impact of postal services reforms on low-income consumers living in Rural Scotland Deliberative research project exploring consumer views on Scottish Waters proposals for future charging and investment In previous years the team have also provided support projects exploring consumer attitudes, behaviours and experiences in relation to the transition to Net Zero using a range of methods as well as a survey on the experiences of users of legal services. Although primarily a qualitative research role, the postholder may also be involved in largescale survey research from time-to-time depending on priorities. For example, the research team are currently co-leading a survey project on small businesses and their experience of consumer issues. You will therefore have a good knowledge of research design and of the relative merits and weaknesses of a range of different research methodologies. As a member of the research team, you will also support the commissioning and delivery of external research projects While it is unlikely that you will have expertise in all of the subject areas that fall within the remit of Consumer Scotland it will be an advantage if you have subject expertise or relevant experience in relation to at least one of these areas. This could include energy markets, water, consumer protection, sustainability and net zero, consumer behaviour or another relevant field. Supported and directed by the Research Manager and the Head of Research, the post-holder will: Work collaboratively with colleagues across Consumer Scotland by providing research support to deliver research that supports Consumer Scotlands strategic objectives Provide insight on topical consumer issues through undertaking literature searches and reviews Provide methodological and analytical advice and guidance to colleagues across Consumer Scotlands functions. Contribute to the design of robust and effective research projects to develop Consumer Scotlands evidence base by supporting colleagues to design high, quality policy relevant research Contribute to the procurement of externally commissioned research including overseeing as appropriate small commissioned research projects ensuring that the research is delivered to a high standard and contributes to Consumer Scotlands evidence base Summarise and write up using clear and accessible language findings from literature reviews and research reports supporting the production of high-quality reports, presentations and blogs Person specification Essential Criteria Experience of gathering, critically analysing, interpreting, quality assuring and summarising a broad range of evidence. Excellent knowledge of research design and the ability to evaluate and decide between qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies. Expert knowledge of consumer issues in at least one of the policy areas covered by Consumer Scotland. This could include energy markets, water, consumer protection, sustainability and net zero, consumer behaviour or another relevant field. Excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and plan activity when working on a number of different projects simultaneously including supporting the procurement and delivery of commissioned research projects Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to summarise and write up evidence and communicate findings internally and externally in a clear and accessible style. Ability to build strong relationships and work collaboratively with colleagues and key stakeholders Desirable criteria Previous experience of working within the consumer landscape Experience of undertaking research and analysis to inform policy development Experience of designing and delivering qualitative research projectsusing either deliberative or participatory methods and/or experience of working with consumers in vulnerable circumstances Ability to produce high quality graphics and data visualisation to communicate research results Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Working Together Seeing the Big Picture Benefits Alongside your salary of £36,944, Consumer Scotland contributes £10,702 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% 25-30 days holidays 11.5 days public and privilege holidays Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. This competition is being run in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. Please complete the application form which includes a Personal Statement of up to 500 words, detailing the relevant skills and experience you can bring to the role based on the Essential Criteria. You will also be asked to complete a CV. The selection panel will use your application to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria during sifting. If you are shortlisted, your interview will be based on your experience and the Civil Service behaviours listed in the advert. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. Further Information New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. Any move to CS from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk Reasonable Adjustment If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via infoconsumer.scot as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Jane Williams Email : jane.williamsconsumer.scot Recruitment team Email : Catriona.Kirkconsumer.scot Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail