Job Description

Salary
34,893 to 41,050 pro rata (dependent on experience)
Contract type
Permanent
Hours
Part Time
Additional information
22 hours per week - requirement to work on Tuesdays, with other days to be agreed.
Location
Poole, Dorset, England
Location description
Hybrid between home and Poole - with occasional travel to Poole as required by the role
Interview date
Monday 19th Jan and Thursday 22nd Jan
Closing Date
04-01-2026
Reference
20991
Documents (please view all documents)
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About us
Our purpose is simple: to save lives at sea. 24 hours a day, every day, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue.
We're looking for a Research Officer to join our Research Team, which is part of our Data Team. The Research Team supports the RNLI by delivering insight and recommendations, generated by robust and ethical research, to enable the RNLI to make sound evidence-based decisions.
This Research Officer role will work across the organisation, and will particularly support our colleagues in the Lifesaving, Fundraising, Marketing and Media and People Departments. Research projects will be varied and include conducting in-house surveys using our survey software tool (Qualtrics), desk research and commissioning and working with suppliers to deliver qualitative and quantitative research to help shape campaigns and future strategy. Research participants will include volunteers, staff, supporters and members of the public.
It's a fascinating role offering the chance to make a real difference to our charity.
Some of the benefits

• Salary - 34,893 to 41,050 pro rata (dependent on experience)
• Flexible working
• 26 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Competitive pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Health and dental cashplan

Your Role
As a Research Officer you will be tasked with the following:

• Scoping, undertaking and managing multiple and varied RNLI research projects, ensuring research evidence meets the requirements of the RNLI within the timescales agreed
• Building and maintaining successful working relationships with research customers and stakeholders at all levels
• Commissioning and working with external research suppliers to deliver high quality research, negotiating for best price and ensuring that objectives and deadlines are met
• Providing expert research advice to RNLI colleagues at all levels, and promoting the role of research in decision making

About You
You'll be naturally inquisitive and proactive, with a sound understanding and demonstrable experience of conducting both quantitative and qualitative research. Perhaps already in a research team, or with research agency experience, you will be used to working on multiple research projects at a time for a range of customers, prioritising your own workload. You'll be someone who builds effective working relationships with colleagues, customers and research agencies, and who can communicate research and insight findings and recommendations in engaging ways to senior audiences.
To be considered as the Research Officer you will need:

• Proven knowledge of and experience conducting quantitative research projects including survey design, data analysis etc
• Proven knowledge of and experience conducting qualitative research projects including depth interviews and focus group design and facilitation etc
• Experience of managing multiple projects for multiple customers/stakeholders.
• Good working knowledge and experience using Microsoft office software (e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and proven experience of using survey software packages (Qualtrics preferred).
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

So, if you want to use your skills and experience as a Research Officer to support our organisation's aim to reduce drowning, this could be the role for you. Please apply via the button shown.
Safeguarding
The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person's health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).
Diversity at the RNLI
Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.

Skills Required