Job Description

Permanent Contract | \xc2\xa337,336 to \xc2\xa339,186 per annum (Scale J) | 37 hours per week | Norwich
We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher who will raise the profile of evidence-based research across diverse projects to improve the services we offer. It\xe2\x80\x99s a key role within our innovation team and will support the transformation of Norfolk County Council (NCC) ensuring we successfully address complex challenges and changes in our region. This role has a focus on qualitative and lived experience research, but quantitative skills will be a valuable addition.
The successful candidate will ensure we design and deliver innovation with a deep understanding of the people of Norfolk, their needs and how they interact with our services. They will be an empathetic and inquisitive self-starter who will work collaboratively with colleagues, communicating user insights that guide decisions.
They will be experienced planning, designing, and carrying out inclusive research activities. They will be an influential champion of user / public needs with first class communication and relationship building skills and a positive and proactive approach. They will possess a structured yet flexible approach, keeping the end goals in mind.
At NCC we are fiercely ambitious for the people of Norfolk and strive to be one of the highest performing counties in the country. Our corporate strategy has 3 guiding principles:

• No one left behind: we want to improve social mobility through inclusive growth so that all people can prosper, no matter who they are or where they live
• Prevention over cure: we want to see a focus on prevention and early help as fundamental in tackling those issues that create adversity in people\xe2\x80\x99s lives A local approach: we do not believe that one size fits all and will use our understanding of people and place to target services where they are most needed

There is a growing demand across the Council for specialist skills that can support innovation, business change and improvement. This key role sits within the council\xe2\x80\x99s Strategy, Design and Delivery Directorate, which is responsible for our strategy, performance reporting and working collaboratively with colleagues to support the design and delivery of people-centred public services. It\xe2\x80\x99s a team that has a broad remit and involvement across the organisation with the potential to make a big impact on ensuring positive outcomes for the people of Norfolk.
We believe that, building on our county\xe2\x80\x99s identity, our size, scale, and influence, we can play a significant and strategic role in delivering growth, opportunities, and good quality of life across Norfolk, while maintaining and cherishing our environment, countryside, and heritage.
We know we\xe2\x80\x99re asking for a lot, but in return we think we have a lot to offer. There\xe2\x80\x99s the role itself, where you will play a key role in developing and implementing a new approach to challenges that will have positive benefits for the county of Norfolk. Then there\xe2\x80\x99s the working environment here, where we put work life balance at the forefront and offer flexible, hybrid working arrangements, all underpinned by first class technology. We\xe2\x80\x99re open to people working from home for a significant portion of the time, but if you\xe2\x80\x99re already in (or would consider relocating to) Norfolk, we think our unique blend of beaches, broads, countryside and culture is hard to beat! If you\xe2\x80\x99re still reading, and you think you have what it takes, then we would love to hear from you.
We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our workspaces, enjoy a healthy work-life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have in place good Broadband connectivity.
Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for all internal and external vacancies via myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email address.
Before you apply please see the full job description and person specification in the below link \xe2\x80\x93 this will help you to shape your application to demonstrate how you meet the criteria for the role.
Job description and person specification
You can also find out about the rewards and benefits we offer as well as our other terms and conditions.
These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement with the ability to buy and sell leave
• Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working \xe2\x80\x93 dependent on your job role and business need.
• Financial benefits such as:
  • \xe2\x80\x98 Norfolk Rewards\xe2\x80\x99 our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
  • A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
  • Relocation expenses (where applicable)
  • An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
  • Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants\xe2\x80\x99 pensions
  • Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
  • Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility) A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

Closing date: 12 December 2023

We have miles of beautiful coastline and our unique Broads, thriving market towns and a city with a proud cultural heritage. Our economy is growing and driven by innovation in a number of sectors, including energy and food. We also have ambitious plans for new housing and a building programme for schools across Norfolk. Our county a great place to live, work and visit, and is an excellent environment for businesses to start, grow and innovate.

We are the main local authority for Norfolk providing services countywide to more than 850,000 Norfolk residents. We take the lead in critical policy areas, working with 84 elected Members responsible for the strategic local government services in the county.

We provide a high quality service through involving people who use our services to shape and comment on them and by promoting efficiency and innovation.

We work in partnership with local businesses, voluntary organisations and other local authorities such as District and Parish Councils to provide the people of Norfolk with excellent services.