Senior Researcher

The role  

As a Senior Researcher, you will take a leading role in our research programmes with parliamentarians and journalists, while also contributing to our work with the general public and bespoke client projects. You will act as a trusted partner to clients and a point of guidance for junior colleagues. 

You will lead on our nfpPolitics programmes – quarterly surveys of 100 MPs and an annual survey of 100 members of the House of Lords, plus annual surveys of MSPs in Scotland, MSs in Wales and MLAs in Northern Ireland. These programmes give charity clients clear, evidence-based insight into how they are seen at Westminster and in the devolved parliaments: tracking awareness of organisations and their campaigns, the actions parliamentarians have taken in response, and how effective they consider those organisations to be. Subscribers also receive unfiltered open comments from parliamentarians and access to broader political intelligence data – covering what MPs see as the biggest challenges facing the sector, the factors that influence whether they will support a campaign, and which organisations have impressed them in Parliament. 

You will also oversee nfpPress, our annual survey of 150 UK journalists across print, digital and broadcast media. This gives charity communications teams systematic insight into how the media perceives them and their work – not just whether journalists know who they are, but whether they want to work with them, and what would make them more likely to. 

Alongside this tracking work, you will contribute to a varied portfolio of bespoke projects for individual charity clients – from applicant perception research for funders, to supporter benchmarking and message testing. In practice, this means working across a wide range of topics and methodologies, helping charities make better strategic decisions. 

Description of responsibilities and opportunities: 

·       Leading our nfpPolitics Westminster programme: quarterly surveys of 100 MPs and an annual survey of 100 members of the House of Lords, including questionnaire design, fieldwork management, analysis and client debriefs 

·       Leading our nfpPolitics Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland programmes: annual surveys of MSPs, Members of the Senedd and MLAs 

·       Overseeing nfpPress: our annual survey of 150 UK journalists across print, digital and broadcast media 

·       Managing a portfolio of client accounts across the Professional Audiences monitors – advising clients on their results, responding to requests for analysis, and supporting retention 

·       Contributing to the design and delivery of bespoke projects for a wide range of charity clients, spanning applicant perception research, supporter benchmarking, message testing and audience insight work 

·       Writing and presenting client reports and debrief presentations, with clear conclusions and actionable recommendations 

·       Line management of a Research Officer or Research Assistant: writing objectives, conducting appraisals and supporting their professional development 

·       Contributing to business development, including helping to scope and write proposals and participating in pitch meetings 

·       Contributing to the broader life of the company, including our monthly Knowledge Meeting, company blog and Insights events 

Who we are looking for:  

This post would be ideally suited to a researcher with at least three years’ experience in a market research or social research role, with a strong interest in the non-profit sector and the professional audiences it works with – whether parliamentarians, journalists, funders or specialist communities. 

Essential: 

·       Minimum three years’ previous professional research experience, ideally in market research, social research or a consultancy setting 

·       Experience of managing research projects or programmes with a high degree of independence 

·       Experience of managing clients or other external relationships 

·       Experience of presenting in a professional context 

·       Strong quantitative research skills, including excellent data literacy, survey design and data visualisation 

·       Analytical skills and ability to interpret research, and explain what it means for a range of different audiences – both verbally and in writing 

·       A strong interest in politics, media or public affairs, and an understanding of how non-profits engage with these arenas 

·       A strong interest in, and preferably experience of, charities and not-for-profits 

Desirable: 

·       Experience of research with specialist or professional audiences (such as parliamentarians, journalists, healthcare professionals or funders) 

·       Experience of conducting qualitative research (interviews, focus groups or similar) 

·       Keen interest or experience of the not-for-profit sector in one of our international markets (Ireland, Canada or the US) 

·       Experience of line managing or mentoring more junior colleagues 

·       Experience of using R, SPSS or Displayr 

In addition, we also like to see the following soft skills in all our staff:  

·       Strong verbal and written communication skills 

·       Excellent time management and organisational skills 

·       Self-motivated, hardworking and proactive 

·       Enthusiastic, personable and with a sense of humour 

·       Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly as part of a team 

What nfpResearch delivers to you:  

·       A varied and senior role at the UK’s leading research consultancy working exclusively in the not-for-profit sector 

·       The opportunity to lead research that shapes how charities engage with Parliament, the media and their audiences 

·       The chance to be an integral part of a small and dynamic company  

·       25 days paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays and days between Christmas and New Year 

·       Training for the MRS Advanced Certificate qualification and a bonus if you pass the exam