Research Manager

Round Our Way is a new organisation working to diversify the voices talking about climate change and telling stories about the impacts of climate change on our neighbourhoods, towns and villages. We aim to support the incredible local people quietly doing something about climate change to tell stories of their communities doing their bit and asking the government and companies to meet us halfway.

To do this we are looking for an innovative and driven Research Manager to lead our programme of research reports and analysis focused on the impact climate change is having on people and places in the UK.

This role will assemble and verify the data that shows how people’s personal experience is mirrored by those of others up and down the UK, for example by analysing data sets, working with colleagues to commission polling and analysing results, and scoping out what data is available or accessible to tell stories. In many instances, the research will be designed and delivered by the manager but there is scope and budget to commission work.

Candidates do not need specific research, economic or policy backgrounds. We are looking for someone willing to experiment with new and different types of telling stories, dig for interesting and underused data sources and be excited to do innovative and creative work in our small team.

 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

● Manage ROW’s research programme examining and bringing to life the impact of climate change on low and modest-income families in the UK.

● Ensure ROW’s data is accurate and robust while nonetheless being accessible.

● Work with the Director and Deputy Director to design a long-term research report programme which supports ROW’s communications and campaigns work.

● Write regular research reports based on secondary analysis of impact data and/or primary commissioned data.

● Create tables and charts of climate impact data and build an understanding of how to use software to produce UK maps.

● Analyse climate impacts (and other relevant) data for opportunities to conduct secondary analysis that brings this information to a wider audience (for example, by creating maps or league tables that help people see the impact in their area).

● Produce fast-turnaround research/data briefings in response to external events and media opportunities. For example, a research briefing on flooding data in response to extreme weather in the UK.

● Check and sign off the research/data component of ROW’s reports and press releases and work with external partners to ensure our data is high quality.

● Commission and manage external research organisations - like polling firms - and research freelancers, ensuring delivery on time, brief and budget.

● Work with external partners to source new data and approaches to analysis that can aid ROW’s work.

● Represent ROW at external events and (potentially) in the media.

● Support the development of funding bids.

● Undertake other tasks to do with the running of ROW, which are split between the team and come with us being a small organisation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

This role is suited to someone who has:

● Experience in delivering research and writing up research results in accessible briefings or reports.

● A good eye for new, unusual and credible sources of data that be analysed for the first time or in a new way to bring to life real-world problems many people are experiencing.

● A desire to use robust data to help people understand their personal experience is not alone and to support communications and campaign work looking to change minds and win change.

● A creative approach to work and a love of brainstorming about solving old problems in new ways.

● The ability to manage multiple projects at once and work fast in response to breaking news and events. This role will require occasional out-of-hours and weekend work.

● The ability to write crisply and simply (not academically) for a wide audience.

● A considered, respectful, supportive approach and who is keen to work as part of a small dispersed team.

● An interest in issues relating to the climate and their impact on people and places across the UK and enthusiasm for changing the way climate is covered in the media.

Prior experience working on climate change is helpful but not required.

If you’d like to talk to us about this role please email Roger Harding (Director) roger@roundourway.org or Sofie (Deputy Director) sofie@roundourway.org and we will be happy to have a chat.

For more information and to download the job description please visit: https://www.roundourway.org/the-team

To apply please send a CV and a short (1 page) cover letter detailing why you suit this role to info@roundourway.org and complete this Equality and Diversity Monitoring form by midnight on Sunday September 10th

PAY AND CONDITIONS

Salary band: £35,000-£40,000

We are open to applications from people for whom this would be a stretch opportunity to allow people to grow in the role.

Hours: 37 hours per week

ROW are very open to conversations around flexible working and desired level and pattern of working days.

Contract: This is an initial two year role (reflecting committed funding for the post) but our expectation and intention is that this will become a permanent position.

Location: You must be based inside the UK. We are a virtual organisation and so can have staff dotted around the country. There is the budget for each staff member to use a co-working space or rent a desk in another organisation. We will have in-person meet ups and regular all-staff strategy meetings which you will be required to attend in person. You must have the right to work in the UK independently, as we are unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Annual leave: 30 days

Pension: Standard NEST pension