6836 - Band 4 MQPL Research Assistant

This post requires travelling to all prisons in England and Wales. The postholder will be required on regular basis to stay away from home, this is usually 2-3 consecutive nights, once or twice per month.

Band 4

Overview of the job      

This is a prisoner facing job based at Headquarters where the job holder is required to undertake some or all of the MQPL suite of surveys

Summary            

The job holder will administer some or all of the surveys delivered by the MQPL team (prisoner, staff and visitors). This will include administration, delivery, data collection, data analysis and report writing.

This is a non-operational job with no line management responsibilities.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Facilitate focus/discussion groups (prisoners or staff), arranging the sessions and resources required, taking responsibility for resolving ad hoc issues, ensuring sufficient numbers are surveyed and informed consent is gained
• Liaise with establishments prior to survey visits to plan the schedule, publicise and explain the survey approach and ensure that the survey samples are appropriate
• Complete comprehensive notes during discussion groups and ensure these are places accurately into the MQPL dimensions. Complete a similar categorisation task with qualitative data from the survey itself. These tasks require the job holder to make informed decisions based on the data and the context.
• Handout surveys to individual prisoners who cannot attend groups when required, explaining the survey and gaining informed consent. Also support individuals who have difficulty completing the questionnaire
• Input and organise both qualitative and quantitative data collected, cleaning the data and introducing individual establishment data to the collated data sets to deadline
• Analyse data as required using Excel and SPSS, checking for errors or issues in outputs, templates and syntax to deadline
• Produce survey reports accurately to deadline
• Facilitate an initial meeting at the establishment with the Governor and/or members of the SMT detailing the MQPL process, responding to queries and collecting contextual information about the establishment for use in the report
• Attend feedback sessions and co-facilitate where appropriate, ensuring materials are prepared accurately and notes taken are clear, thorough and an informative contribution to the report context section
• Undertake required supervision and attend/contribute to practitioner meetings in order to ensure continued good practice and high standard of delivery.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder.

Competencies

• Caring
• Leading and Communicating
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality service
• Making effective decisions

Factor Examples

Skills & Knowledge         

• Needs good communication skills and should be able to facilitate discussion/focus groups with both staff and prisoners
• Will be a proficient user of IT, specifically SPSS, Excel and graph production
• Is able to objectively review the quality of own work. Is open to feedback and actively seeks to develop their competence and effectiveness
• Undertakes required supervision with the relevant Research Officer or the Senior Research Analyst to ensure they maintain the quality standards for this work
• Has understanding of statistics and research methods

Accountability & Decision Making            

• Where initial survey sample is not large enough or suitably representative, ensures other suitable prisoners are approached and sufficient numbers compete the questionnaire outside of groups
• Decisions the job holder makes will impact on the effective delivery of the survey and how appropriate the survey sample is. This is turn will impact on the quality of the report and the utility of the results for the prison/NOMS. Research Officers and Head of MQPL will be accountable for decisions made
• Co-facilitates the delivery of discussion/focus group and de-briefs with the co-facilitator at the end of each session
• As directed by Research Officers, comply with all MQPL protocols
• Make sure information obtained from prisoners during discussion/focus groups is of an appropriate standard and therefore fit for purpose.
• Will need to identify whether a prisoner needs help completing the questionnaire

Problem Solving              

• Responsive to the group and amend delivery to match the current group dynamics e.g. respond to challenges, discriminatory and possibly threatening behaviour
• Recognise when there is a need to involve others (e.g. managers, establishment staff) to address problems arising during surveys
• The postholder will be required to resolve problems that occur during and in between each of the sessions that they deliver.
• Effectively balances the need for confidentiality with the requirements to share information as prisoners may disclose information about other offences or conduct within the prison that will require further action

Resource Management & Financial Impact          

• The job holder will have no budgetary responsibility

Organising & Planning   

• Prepares for surveys from a minimum of six weeks in advance – sample lists, survey timetable, questionnaires/pens/clipboards, proforma, rooms etc.
• Will be required to build in report writing at the end of each survey ensuring deadlines are adhered to and any issues or delays are raised with managers
• Will work with establishment liaison officer to ensure offenders attendance and prepare contingency plans for handing out surveys and collecting surveys with consideration for the regime
• Ensure collected data sets are updated at the end of every survey and in time for report editing, quarterly /annual reports and the transfer of information to performance group
• Contributes to the preparation of materials for feedback sessions and plans any parts of the presentation they may complete within this session.

People Management    

• No line management responsibilities

Information Management          

• Writes clear, accurate, comprehensive and relevant notes during and after each discussion/focus group and can communicate the themes and key issues raised to Research Officers
• Input qualitative and statistical data into databases for collation and analysis. Undertakes analysis using SPSS under the supervision of the Senior Research Analyst.
• Writes report for each prison at the end of the survey

Influencing & Interaction             

• Conducts telephone interview with nominated establishment liaison officer. This is essential to build rapport, establishing facts, key issues, best approach to complete the survey, answer questions the establishment has and ensure the survey runs smoothly.
• Publicises and explains MQPL to prisoners, staff and stakeholders
• Approaches potential participant’s and explains MQPL, engages and motivates participants and ensures informed consent.
• Leads the initial meetings with the Governor and/or SMT of an establishment detailing the MQPL process, responding to queries and collecting contextual information for use within the report.

Emotional Demand & Risk           

• Contact with prisoners as a facilitator of group discussions. Prisoners may reveal distressing instances in group, at the end of sessions individually or in writing at the back of the survey.

Closing Date: 24th March 2017 at 23:55 hours

If you require any assistance please call 0845 010 3508 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail hr-recruitment-enquiries@noms.gsi.gov.uk. Please quote the job reference.