Complex Change Research Fellow
Type of employment: Fixed-term (12 months), FTE:1.0
Salary: £45,585 - £56,021
Closing Date: 28 July 2024
Change-makers sought!
Are you passionate about transformational change to improve the lives of children and families through early help and prevention? We’re looking for an experienced, creative researcher with a track record of delivering research-informed programmes of complex change work to join CELCIS as our new Complex Change Research Fellow.
About you
Can you bring the passion and motivation to support systemic and strategic changes in processes, procedures, policy, planning and practice, carrying out a number of crucial functions in order to support Child Protection Committees (CPCs) to identify and manage the risk to children and young people, and to monitor and improve performance? We are looking for someone who can work alongside key stakeholders to support the delivery of the national Child Protection Improvement Programme (CPIP) and support the work of Child Protection Committees Scotland (CPCS) in delivering the revised National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland (2021). Do you have significant experience of child protection practice and strong knowledge of the sector and workforces responsible for supporting ‘looked after’ children in Scotland? If so, this could be the role for you.
About the role
This is an innovative role where you will support local and national partners to deliver on the ambition for transformational change aimed at improving the lives of children and families, with a focus on early help and prevention. Through the use of applied research and facilitation skills, your role will be pivotal in leading learning on emerging understanding of complex systems, and informing decision making, adaptation and strategic planning.
You will undertake research, evaluation projects and learning activities, to support complex change programmes aligned with the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund and collaborate with colleagues and key stakeholders to define research questions and strategic lines of inquiry related to meaningful improvements for children and families. You will also carry out all aspects of the evaluative research process such as scoping literature reviews, measurement development with useability testing, mining and extraction of monitoring data from existing systems, conduct of interviews and focus groups, and data analysis and reporting in different forms.
About CELCIS
CELCIS, the Centre for Excellence for Children's Care and Protection is a leading improvement and innovation centre in Scotland. We improve children’s lives by supporting people and organisations to drive long lasting change in the services they need, and the practices used by people responsible for their care.
CELCIS is part of Strathclyde University and staff are university employees with access to rewards and benefits including annual salary increments and membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme. We are also committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance and offer a number of benefits including flexible working, paid maternity and paternity leave, an on-campus nursery and access to the Strathclyde Sport leisure centre.
Qualifications and experience
You will have a PhD in a relevant social science discipline OR equivalent research experience in a professional context. You will also have an excellent knowledge of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research gained through significant experience of conducting or managing various research within a practice relevant field and a demonstrable track record in designing and delivering activities across a diverse and complex environment.
Formal interviews will be held on 8 August 2024.
Funding for the post
Like for all colleagues in the team, this post is initially funded for 12 months, with the potential for further funding. CELCIS has received funding in this way from Scottish Government since 2010.
We are working across the country, at local and national level, to help realise The Promise of the Independent Care Review. Change is happening. Be part of it. Together we can make things better for children, young people and their families and carers. Apply now.
Got a burning question?
Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Heather Ottaway, Head of Evidence and Innovation, (heather.ottaway@strath.ac.uk).