Job Description

Details

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Reference number

435791

Salary

61,575 - 69,238
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

Market Research & Statistics

Type of role

Analytical


Economist

Market Research

Project Delivery

Strategy

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Edinburgh, London, Manchester

About the job

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Job summary

About the Competition and Markets Authority

We help people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. Our work is wide ranging, ambitious and often new and challenging.


It's a fascinating time to be at the heart of this work as our lives become increasingly digital and society grapples with the unique power of large technology firms.


We are fully committed to being a flexible, respectful and inclusive employer. It is a priority to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we welcome applications from under-represented groups.


You can read more about working at the CMA in our candidate pack


The

Market Research & Statistics

team provides high-quality evidence to support CMA investigations, market studies and policy work. We design, commission and analyse quantitative and qualitative research that helps shape decisions affecting millions of consumers.


Our recent work has covered diverse sectors including

veterinary services, house building, mobile ecosystems, IVF treatment and the Vodafone/Three merger

.


We are now recruiting to fill two crucial roles -- a

Senior Research Adviser

and a

Senior Statistical Adviser

-- to strengthen our capacity to deliver first-class research and analysis.

Below are details about the Senior Research Adviser role. If you would like to read about the Senior Statistical Adviser role, please head back to the CMA jobs list.

If you apply to both roles, and are invited to interview for both, you will only attend one interview which will cover both roles.

Job description

As a

Senior Research Adviser

, you'll lead the design and delivery of research projects that directly inform CMA cases and strategic priorities, with a particular focus on digital markets. You will provide integral research support to specific cases, as well as delivering strategic research projects to build an understanding of digital markets and identify appropriate action to address issues.


This role suits an experienced researcher with expertise in

quantitative and qualitative methods

, excellent communication skills, and a strong interest in how evidence informs public decisions.


Your key responsibilities will be:

Lead on research projects to provide evidence on CMA cases

- work with case teams (comprised of economists, behavioural specialists and other CMA professionals) to assess whether research is required and to advise on the most appropriate research approach to take to provide suitably robust evidence to inform decisions.

Lead on the procurement and project management of research contracts

-working closely with colleagues in our commercial team procuring and managing a range of contracts which will range from relatively small, straight-forward projects to high value, complex studies.

Lead on survey and qualitative research design

- the post-holder will be expected to take the leading CMA role in (sometimes complex) sample and questionnaire/discussion guide design, working closely and collaboratively with the research contractor and CMA colleagues in this.

Analysis and reporting

, working closely with research contractors to define analytical frameworks and develop presentations and reports. In some cases, the post-holder will be expected to conduct the data analysis themselves and develop and deliver presentations and working papers sometimes to senior decision-makers on cases and to senior stakeholders who are the subject of cases.

Lead on smaller scale in-house surveys or qualitative research

-the CMA mainly currently uses Qualtrics software for some smaller-scale survey work and is developing an in-house qualitative research offer. The post-holder may be required to run in-house surveys and to work with the team in developing our in-house qualitative offer (e.g. working in small teams to undertake a relatively small number of depth interviews as initial exploratory scoping work on potential new cases).

Keep up to date with wider developments in market and social research

- this will involve liaising with other government departments and agencies and professional bodies including the Government Social Research profession, Market Research Society and Social Research Association as well as relevant experts and networks within and outside of government.

Enhance capability in the use of market and social research to inform the CMA's work.

Within the CMA, this will involve training and other knowledge-sharing events. Externally, this will involve helping to ensure the CMA can have access to a sufficiently sized contractor base who understand the research needs of the CMA and are able to deliver research that meets the high standards of evidence required to inform case decisions. This will involve networking and representing the CMA externally at industry events and platforms.

Person specification

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document.


1) Significant experience and understanding in all aspects of quantitative research and survey design (particularly questionnaire design), and data analysis. This includes the ability to conduct statistical analysis of survey data (preferably in Stata or R or similar) (

Lead criteria

).


2) Strong understanding and experience of qualitative research design and analysis (

Lead criteria

).


3) Experience of critically appraising research findings (across a variety of research methods) and using those to provide robust evidence to decision makers.


4) Substantial experience of working with research agencies, either commissioning research or working within an agency, on market or social research projects across a range of topics.


5) Experience of managing the process of the design, development, management and timely delivery of multiple projects concurrently (ideally in a leading role), in cross-disciplinary teams and to tight deadlines.


6) The ability to communicate research results (both verbally and in writing) in a balanced, clear and impactful way to non-technical audiences, including to senior audiences.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:


Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Working Together Managing a Quality Service Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:


Research methods, techniques and their application; identifying research needs; designing and specifying research; generating insight, interpretation and application of findings.

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 61,575, Competition & Markets Authority contributes 17,838 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
You'll also get:

25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King's birthday. In addition, you'll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work

You can read more about our benefits in our candidate pack.

Our Values

We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence. We treat everyone with Respect and are Collaborative and Inclusive.


Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.


You can read more about life at the CMA in our candidate pack.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and an online application form. Further details about application requirements are listed on the application form.


The selection process will comprise of the sift (CV & application review), presentation and an interview. Arrangements for the presentation and interview will be enclosed in the invitation.


Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and experience for each of the essential criteria (as included on the role profile attached and listed above under 'Person Specification') in your application.


An initial sift based on criteria 1 and 2 (Lead Criteria) may be held if a large number of applications are received. If your application progresses to a full sift, all elements of the essential criteria listed under Person Specification will then be considered.


The sift will take place 18-25 November 2025.


Interviews will be held during the week beginning 1st December 2025.


The first part of the interview will comprise of a presentation, details of which you will sent with your interview invitation. The second part of the interview will be a 45 minute -1 hour panel interview where you will be asked questions based on the Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills outlined in the role profile.

Reasonable adjustments

We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.



If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. You can also email recruitment@cma.gov.uk.


For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.

The use of AI

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

#

Job contact :

Name : Becky Smith Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk
#

Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk

Further information

If your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Recruitment@cma.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.