26209 - Senior Evidence Specialist Lead

In the first instance this post holder will design and deliver a research and evidence programme on the use of force in prisons for adults in England and Wales. The ambition here is to develop our understanding of those conditions that support legitimate use of force (reasonable, necessary, minimal and proportionate) in providing a custodial environment that is safe, decent and fair for prison staff and residents and supports our rehabilitative purpose.  Working alongside policy, analytical and operational colleagues across HMPPS the post holder will be responsible for driving forward this programme of work drawing on routinely gathered data and applying both quantitative and qualitative research methods to build the evidence base (supported by a team of two research staff) and then disseminating that evidence in ways that are accessible and meaningful for a wide range of stakeholders. The post-holder will work closely with operational colleagues in establishing how to bring the evidence-base into everyday practice. The post-holder will be responsible also for establishing a learning network to support this work through which we can connect and collaborate with a range of stakeholders, colleagues in partner agencies and the academic community.

Overview of the job     

This is a specialist Senior Manager job within HMPPS headquarters.

The purpose of the job is to provide an evidence-based practice service to the whole HMPPS agency. The job holder must set standards for acceptable evidence and review the evidence base in relation to correctional practice in order to ensure that HMPPS policy and practice is defensible and effective. The job holder is responsible for effectively communicating the evidence base to others across the organisation in a transparent and accessible way, and for developing the evidence base, involving both in-house research and collaboration with research partners in Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and beyond the agency.

Evidence-based practice integrates scientific evidence with the operational perspective to design and provide high-quality services reflecting the goals of the organisation and the interests, values, needs, and choices of the individuals we serve.

Summary           

This is a specialist Senior Manager role working to the Head of The Evidence-Based Practice Team, in the Performance Directorate.  

The team, and the post holder, is accountable for building and evaluating the evidence base to inform and direct operational policy and practice. The post holder directly influences operational policy, strategy and practice through the generation of evidence summaries on topics relevant to staff working in prison, probation and youth custody, through original research to build the evidence on practice related issues and through providing evidence consultation to central and local teams. This includes considering evidence against value for money, to guide spending by the Service.

HMPPS aims to deliver safe, decent, fair and rehabilitative services to those in prison, in youth custody or on the probation caseload. The Evidence-Based Practice team contributes to these aims through the expert translation of evidence to shape everyday practice in prisons, probation and youth custody, delivering research to fill knowledge gaps and consulting into the strategic development of policies and practice to bring the best outcomes for staff and the people in our care. The team works alongside colleagues in Learning and Development, Human Resources, psychology and effective practice in each of our three sectors as well as central strategy teams and local staff and managers.

As a Senior Manager in the Evidence-Based Practice Team, the job holder will be expected to demonstrate the qualities set out in the Leadership Qualities Framework, including an ability to set purpose and direction for their area of work, lead with courage and integrity, engage others, and work in partnership. They will also be expected to contribute expertise and knowledge to the corporate design and vision of the Service, and its strategic plan. They will provide leadership and direction for the staff they manage, ensuring that they deliver on key objectives and make an effective contribution to the wider work of the Group, HMPPS and MoJ.

The post holder will have line management responsibility for one Evidence Specialist.

The job holder needs to have significant experience in conducting and reviewing high quality research and a professional qualification that reflects specialist skill in this area. The job holder will need to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the existing correctional research literature and the skills required to source and monitor fast moving developments in the field; an advanced understanding of which research designs and methodologies are appropriate for which research questions and which are the appropriate statistical techniques to apply under specific conditions; experience in leading research projects that reach international quality standards and bring real gains to the evidence base; an advanced understanding of how research outcomes should influence practice and experience in translating complex or conflicting bodies of evidence into impactful, practical guidance for the organisation.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

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

1. Translation of the evidence base to inform policy and practice in HMPPS

• To lead the development and translation of the evidence base to inform and underpin HMPPS’ delivery of services and development of policy.
• Accountable for the development, interpretation, translation and dissemination of research evidence in relation to HMPPS’ priorities to support and steer at national and local levels.
• Bring relevant evidence into decision-making in a way that is clear and transparent to staff at all levels of HMPPS and MoJ; translating what may be complex or conflicting information into robust and defensible advice that seeks to reflect the evidence base while recognizing operational realities.
• To monitor and evaluate the evidence base constantly and identify gaps in knowledge and identify strategies for filling these. To scan for new sources of information and subject areas which might improve outcomes and inform practice and decisions across the Service.

2. Develop the evidence base

• To conduct rigorous research and analysis using both existing datasets and involving new data generation that steers HMPPS’ approaches to its priorities. The work must also be conducted within the tight timetables required by the Service.
• To lead on the planning and conduct of in-house research studies and evidence reviews to meet evidence gaps that are feasible within our resources and identified as priority research areas for HMPPS.
• To lead on the planning, procurement and project management of pilot studies, original research projects or reviews from external providers where this best meets the evidence need and HMPPS priorities – to include contractual oversight of research, project management and budget management as appropriate.
• To be accountable for the conduct and quality of these research activities.

3. Building networks within and on behalf of HMPPS to ensure HMPPS has access to high quality evidence and shares it appropriately with partners

• To create further academic and practitioner networks and contacts so that research, practice and emerging knowledge can be used to inform and steer HMPPS practice and policy.  
• To cover national and international evidence and to create effective links with other jurisdictions and criminal justice providers. To collaborate with colleagues across HMPPS, MoJ and other government departments and the voluntary sector to establish information sharing networks, collate learning, translate information and determine evidence to underpin what HMPPS does.
• To be responsible for providing expert advice to, and influence, a wide range of stakeholders and colleagues across HMPPS and MoJ, also to include advice to Parliamentary and Ministerial business for this area.
• To contribute to the planning for and drafting of the Team’s delivery and strategy for the coming year.

4. Line management and other management activity

• To provide line management and professional development for Evidence Specialists.

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

For the purpose of selection the following competencies will be measured:

• Building capability for all
• Changing and improving
• Collaborating and partnering
• Making effective decisions
• Persuading and influencing
• Seeing the pig picture

Essential Skills, Qualifications, Accreditation & Registration    

Essential:

• Specialist expertise in quantitative research and interpretation of evidence, including expertise in critical literature reviews and ability to conduct quantitative and/or qualitative research to publishable standard. This expertise should be evidenced in a formal post graduate qualification relating to research (Masters level or above) – either a qualification in research methods or evidence of considerable experience reviewing and conducting research studies.
• In particular, this post requires considerable knowledge, skill and experience in conducting complex multivariate statistical analysis on large quantitative data sets, testing theoretically generated hypotheses in relation to operationally important questions around what services are effective and less effective. It is vital that this research is conducted to a very high standard, within tight timescales, and communicated effectively both to ensure academic legitimacy and to enable policy advice (i.e. two very different but concurrent approaches to communication).
• Advanced knowledge of the academic literature in relation to reducing reoffending through programmes and interventions as well as a good grasp of the broader correctional and rehabilitation literature.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, in particular the ability to translate complex research information into plain English, and give high impact presentations.
• Excellent stakeholder management and networking skills, particularly with practitioners, policy colleagues, commissioners and academics.
• Able to translate data, research and a range of information sources into evidence based, pragmatic products.
• Experience of working across stakeholder groups to deliver finished products that are fit-for-purpose in tight timescales.
• Ability to think strategically and take a broader view relevant to the strategic and policy context, ministerial priorities and HMPPS priorities when providing advice.
• An understanding of the principles and practice of evidence based policy.
• Understanding and experience of advising, reducing reoffending/rehabilitation and public protection.
• Experience of working with senior officials, managers and practitioners.
• Experience of business planning.
• Experience of supervising the research of others.
• Experience as a line manager.

Desirable:

• A track record of published research.
• Experience of overseeing and managing contracted research from initial specification through procurement to successful publication of final reports.
• Expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• In-depth knowledge of prison and/or probation services.
• Experience of managing or conducting research in criminal justice field.
• Experience of working with people convicted of crime.
• Experience of working with academics across criminal justice and health settings.
• Formal project management skills (such as PRINCE2 or similar).