About the role

The Research & Policy team at Pro Bono Economics (PBE) produces high quality research and evidence-led recommendations to support and empower organisations working in the social sector. The team also works with policymakers to drive forward policy action and create positive change for the social sector and the communities it supports. Taken together, these two goals help drive PBE’s vision of a United Kingdom with high wellbeing for all. We are looking for an exceptional research and policy analyst to join the team. Working with the Research and Policy Directors, you will support the team to design, deliver and disseminate research content and, where appropriate, commission support from external partners.

Post type: Full-time, permanent. The role will be hybrid with up to three days working from home and at least two days working from PBE’s office in London. Flexible arrangements will be considered, and we welcome people applying on secondment.

Reports to: Research and Policy Director

Main duties & tasks:

• Work with Research and Policy Directors to design and deliver ground-breaking and impactful studies that help to shine a light on the social sector, generating new evidence about the sector and for the sector to support and empower them in the work they do.

• Support senior colleagues project manage effectively multiple studies, include high-profile public events and publications.

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative research to the highest standards and publicise findings through written reports, media articles, blogs, presentations and social media (with support from the communications team).

• Build up and manage a rich network of stakeholders in the voluntary sector, government, the private sector, and academia to support and inform PBE’s research programme.

• Support the team to commission work from external partners when appropriate, finding opportunities for collaboration and then managing the ongoing relationships.

• Develop and test policy solutions that promote PBE’s aim of higher wellbeing for all.

• Work with our consultant and volunteer economists to provide research support for our charity impact projects.

• Communicate PBE’s work in print and broadcast media, and represent PBE at seminars and events.

• Any other duties as deemed reasonable by the line manager.

About us

PBE uses economics to empower the social sector and increase wellbeing across the UK. We combine project work with individual charities and social enterprises, with policy research to drive systemic change. Our vision is for a United Kingdom with high wellbeing for all.

Experts and economists at PBE work on a wide range of issues related to wellbeing including mental health, education, employment, poverty, volunteering and civil society. The charity was founded in 2009 by Andy Haldane, former Chief Economist of the Bank of England and is chaired by former Cabinet Secretary Lord Gus O’Donnell.

The services PBE provides to charities help them to make the best possible use of their data - be that to measure and better understand their impact, or to influence and inform national policy making.  As well as working with individual charities, in 2020 PBE launched the Law Family Commission on Civil Society. The two-year Commission brought together experts from across the country to consider how best to unleash the potential of civil society in the coming decade and culminated in a major report on the future of the UK’s civil society.

PBE is now expanding its research team to build on the work of the Law Family Commission and its areas of expertise. Our projects will be exciting and varied, whether they’re exploring how to increase philanthropy or volunteering in the UK, informing government about the financial costs of issues like poor adult literacy or domestic violence, or helping charities understand how economic factors like inflation will impact them.

About you

We are looking for an exceptional candidate with compelling experience working in a field related to research and/or policy development. The role would suit candidates with formal training in quantitative analysis, such as economics/statistical techniques, and/or qualitative research techniques, but we will consider candidates who are interested in developing these skills. Candidates should be able to point to a strong track record of delivering research or a related skill, the ability to organise projects and workstreams, and interest in developing policy recommendations.

Ideal characteristics include:

• Demonstrable ability to deliver research and/or develop evidence-based policy

• Experience of quantitative research and analysis

• Interest in influencing policy change and a demonstrable interest in the public policy issues relating to the social sector and wellbeing

• Demonstrable writing and presentational skills in a range of contexts and to a range of audiences

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work flexibly as part of a small team in a fast-moving environment

• A commitment to PBE’s focus on driving wellbeing improvements in the UK.

Desirable characteristics include:

• Strong organisational skills

• Experience of econometric analysis

• Experience of or willingness to engage in qualitative research

• Willingness to develop a network among the UK’s analytical and policy communities

• An ability to commission and monitor external projects

• Comparative social and economic policy knowledge

• An understanding and an appreciation of the diverse needs of the social sector

PBE is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We encourage applications from all parts of the community, and we give all applicants and employees fair and equal treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality. We also guarantee an invitation to interview for all applicants with disabilities who show evidence that they can meet the role’s ideal criteria.

For details of our applicant’s privacy policy, please see https://www.probonoeconomics.com/policies.