Homelessness Social Investment Pilot Evaluation Research Assistant

The main purpose of this role is to provide research support to staff in the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit working on the Homelessness Social Investment Pilot Evaluation by assisting with research data collection and analysis, and the dissemination of findings to funders and stakeholders related to the project. Dates: 2 December 2024 - 31 October 2025 Hours: 16 hours per week (for blocks of 3 - 4 weeks with multiple blocks over duration of project) Location: A mix of remote working, working in PERU offices (Geoffrey Manton) and some field visits in the Midlands and North of England. Key Tasks Research Activities

• Extracting quantitative and qualitative data from client case files in various homelessness projects. Some of this work can be done remotely, some will require site visits to the offices of homelessness projects located in the Midlands and the North of England.
• Cleaning and coding data.
• Qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Plan and prioritise own work and resources, within research project framework, in order to determine the most effective way to achieve agreed research objectives.
• Write up results of own research and prepare for presentation to research team and relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• Use initiative and judgement to develop appropriate techniques in order to facilitate research work and resolve problems affecting the achievement of objectives and deadlines.
Liaison and Networking
• Present research to the team and contribute to appropriate articles for publication, such as academic/professional journals or conferences.
• Participate in internal and external partnerships and networks in order to aid the dissemination of research findings, to share best practice, and to enhance the reputation of the University.
Service Provision
• Proactively and effectively engage with quality assurance procedures to ensure that University standards are upheld.
• Collaborate with academic colleagues on research development and future direction.
Team Working
• Actively participate as a member of the research team.
• Research team meetings as appropriate.
• Introduce new starters to the area, giving training on basic skills and activities to assist their induction to the team.
Miscellaneous You have a legal duty, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that you do not endanger yourself or anyone else by your acts or omissions. In addition, you must cooperate with the University on health and safety matters and must not interfere or misuse anything provided for health, safety and welfare purposes. You are responsible for applying the University's Equal Opportunities Policy in your own area of responsibility and in your general conduct. You have a responsibility to promote high levels of customer care within your own areas of work. Such other relevant duties commensurate with the grade of the post as may be assigned by the Manager in agreement with you. Such agreement should not be unreasonably withheld. You have the responsibility to engage with the University's commitment to Environmental Sustainability in order to reduce its waste, energy consumption and carbon footprint. You have the responsibility to engage with the University's commitment to delivering value for money services that optimise the use of resources and therefore should consider this when undertaking all duties and aspects of your role.

This role is only open to current Manchester Met students who meet the criteria below: Essential
• A first degree in a social science (2.1 or above) and be studying for a postgraduate taught or research degree with a social science research methods component.
• Ability to undertake quantitative and qualitative research.
• Ability to use initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches in order to further research.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Excel and one or more statistics package such as SPSS, R or Stata.
• Possess sufficient breadth or depth of knowledge to work within an established research team.
• Experience of qualitative data collection.
• Experience of presenting and communicating complex information to a range of audiences, both orally and in writing.
• Experience of prioritising work independently and as part of a team in order to deliver individual and team objectives.
• Knowledge of homelessness and/or housing support services for vulnerable groups.
Desirable
• Knowledge of social investment, including an understanding of relevant research in the area.
  
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