Research officer jobs in London, greater london

Help senior professionals hold their industries to account.

Inside Track is hiring one or more Research Officers to support our Insider groups and help to turn their collective insight into meaningful change.

About Inside Track

There are millions of people going to work each day with a sense that they are, in some way, working against the world they want to live in. They may know what needs to change and have ideas about how change could happen, but lack a safe and credible route through which to act.

Inside Track creates that route. We build confidential movements of senior professionals inside powerful industries, giving them protected spaces to share what they see. Their insight helps key stakeholders understand the cultures, structures, norms and incentives creating negative social and environmental outcomes, and apply targeted pressure to redress these.

The Research Officer is key to the ongoing success of this work. You will be hands on from day one supporting group facilitators, conducting background research on key issues and industries, collating and analysing Insider insights, and supporting Partnership Leads to build our network and ensure the Insider voice is heard where it is needed the most.

This is not a conventional campaigning, research or policy role. It combines outcome-focused research with dynamic operational support. You will need to be a clear communicator, highly organised, and skilled at prioritising relevant areas of focus. Above all, we hope you will be deeply excited by the potential of this work, and happy to muck in where needed to ensure it is successful.

Inside Track is growing quickly. For the right person, this is a chance to gain unique insight into how people, power, and institutions operate and shape societal outcomes, while influencing each through your everyday work.

Who this could suit

This is not your typical Research Officer role, and as such there is no single route in. It could suit someone with experience in consulting, professional services, research, the public sector, or another NGO. There are no absolute criteria, but we hope you will bring the following:

• 2+ years of relevant work experience;
• demonstrable experience in producing thorough and strategic qualitative research;
• a clear writer and strong communicator;
• the resilience and organisational nous to manage a complex workload with competing deadlines under time pressure;
• comfort operating in a high-trust, high-confidence environment;
• a desire to learn and a willingness to ‘pitch in’ and pick up whatever comes your way;
• a working proficiency in MS Suite, particularly PowerPoint and Excel;
• a demonstrable interest in, understanding of, and commitment to tackling the social and environmental issues the world is currently facing;
• comfortable self-starting and working through uncertainty without a complete playbook;
• warm, curious, resilient, high conviction and low ego.

A working understanding of the structures and incentives which underpin major economic sectors would be useful but not expected.

Key details

• Contract type: Full-time, initial 12-month contract
• Working pattern: 4-5 days per week
• Salary: £32,000 pro rata
• Location: London based hybrid working with ability to work in person 2-3 days per week.
• Deadline for applications: 12pm Monday 24th August

A note on inclusion and culture

We are all here because we believe deeply in this work and its potential to create a better world and we hope that our culture reflects this passion for and commitment to doing the right thing.

We are committed to building a team that reflects a wide range of experiences, backgrounds and perspectives and supports team members to grow.

The successful candidate will receive professional coaching and support, alongside substantial ownership and genuine flexibility in their working pattern.

If you are not sure whether you tick every box, but feel excited about the work, we strongly encourage you to apply.

We particularly welcome candidates from backgrounds underrepresented in traditional campaigning and systems change roles — including people of colour, disabled candidates, and those from working-class or non-traditional paths.

Please note that to be considered for this post, you must be legally eligible to work in the UK. We are unfortunately unable to hire anyone that isnʼt already living in the UK, nor are we able to sponsor visas.

Research and Policy Officer 
Job Description 

About DigitalCare Hub 

Digital technology helps care services spend more time caring. It helps the people we support keep control of their lives, and of their care. Over the last few years, the need for information to be shared securely and efficiently between health and care services has become even moreapparent. But this introduces new risks – for example how information is kept safe and secure, and what happens if a digital system fails. 

This is a shared role across DigitalCare HubandtheBetter Security, Better Careprogramme which wemanage. 

Digital Care Hubis runwithsocialcare,for social care.The Digital Care Hub provides free information,guidanceand support to enable adult social care providers to make the most of digital technology – and to do it safely. 

We are an independent, not-for profit, Community Interest Company, guided by care providers, so we understand the needs and challenges facing the diverse range of organisations in our sector. 

Better Security, BetterCareis a support programme– funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and managed by Digital Care Hub -to help adult social care providers to store and share information safelyby using the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT). The DSPT is a free, online self-assessment for health and care providers to evaluate and improve their data and cyber security. 

The programme is delivered by acentral team and our local support organisations across the country. Most of these support organisations arelocal care provider trade associations. We also work closely with colleagues from the NHS, ADASS, DHSC and local councils. 

About you and the role 

We're looking for an inquisitive, analytical and collaborativeResearch and Policy Officerto join our growing team. 

You'll play a key role in helping Digital Care Hub become the leading source of evidence, insight and practical guidance on digital transformation, data, AI and cybersecurity in adult social care. 

Working across our national programmes, you'll design and deliver research projects, analyse policy developments, engage with providers and partners, and translate complex issues into clear, practical resources that help the sector improve. You'll contribute to consultation responses, produce reports and briefings, support national events and webinars, and help us demonstrate the impact of our work. 

This is a varied role that combines research, policy development, stakeholder engagement and programme delivery. No two weeks will look the same—you could be facilitating a roundtable with care providers, analysing survey data, drafting a briefing for government, interviewing providers for a case study or helping develop new guidance on AI in social care. 

You'll work closely with colleagues across Digital Care Hub and our national partners, taking an entrepreneurial approach to identifying emerging issues, generating insight and turning evidence into action. You'll report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will have the opportunity to shape the development of our research and policy function as the organisation continues to grow. 

Key Responsibilities 

Research and Insight 

• Design and deliver research projects. 

• Develop surveys and analyse data. 

• Conduct interviews and focus groups. 

• Facilitate provider roundtables. 

• Review policy and academic literature. 

• Produce evidence summaries. 

• Identify emerging issues across digital health and adult social care. 

Policy Development 

• Draft policy papers and consultation responses. 

• Translate research into practical recommendations. 

• Produce briefings for government, boards and senior leaders. 

• Track developments across DHSC, NHS England, CQC and ICO. 

• Support Digital Care Hub policy positions. 

Programme Delivery 

• Support grant funded programmes. 

• Develop guidance and resources. 

• Produce webinar materials and case studies. 

• Coordinate advisory groups. 

• Support monitoring and evaluation. 

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Build relationships with providers and representative bodies. 

• Collaborate with universities, government and sector partners. 

• Engage technology suppliers where appropriate. 

Communications 

• Write reports, briefings and newsletters. 

• Draft articles and presentations. 

• Support thought leadership. 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Develop outcome measures. 

• Analyse programme impact. 

• Produce evaluation reports. 

• Identify lessons learned. 

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Degree or equivalent experience. 

• Experience designing research projects. 

• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills. 

• Excellent written communication. 

• Ability to explain complex subjects clearly. 

• Excellent organisational skills. 

Desirable 

• Charity experience. 

• Knowledge of digital transformation. 

• Understanding of AI and cybersecurity. 

• Experience evaluating programmes. 

• Experience working with government. 

 
Main terms and conditions 

• £36,000 per annum including pension. 

• Full timefixed term12 month fixed term contract 

• Homebased,withsometravelacross England 

• 28 days annual leave plus Bank holidays 

The Communications and Research Officer is a new post designed to help bridge the gap between the research and campaigning work of Drone Wars UK and our supporters and the general public. The role is split 50/50 between communications and research. The communications element combines social media activity, website content creation and email communications, helping to ensure our messages are communicated clearly, consistently and creatively across a range of channels.  The research element consists of undertaking a number of short-term specific research projects alongside participation in on-going longer-term research work.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys creating engaging content as well as undertaking in-depth investigations that contribute to positive social change. In addition, the person appointed will take an active role in the forthcoming strategic review shaping the organisation’s work over the next few years.

Job Description

Communications

• To be responsible for Drone Wars UK’s website, managing regular content updates and improving the content, layout and structure.
• To schedule social media content and manage social media accounts to increase engagement and reach.
• To use appropriate design tools in the creation of content for website and all digital and public facing channels.
• To undertake email campaigns in conjunction with the staff team to promote our work and increase participation in events.
• To participate in engagement with legacy and new media alongside other members of the staff team in order to promote the work and campaign aims of Drone Wars UK.
• To undertake appropriate speaking engagements on behalf of DWUK.

Research

• To undertake specific pieces of research into the use of armed drones, autonomous weapons and the militarisation of space as agreed with the Director.
• To write and produce accessible reports, articles and briefings based on the research undertaken.
• To write appropriate copy for the website.
• To contribute to on-going research work by keeping abreast of new and emerging military technologies.
• To contribute to maintaining the Drone Wars UK internal information database 

General

•  To work collaboratively with the staff team to set priorities and to develop existing and future research projects and campaigns.
• To network with other communicators, researchers and campaigners working on these issues in relevant organisations. 
• To undertake tasks as directed by the Director to ensure the smooth running of the organisation.
• To participate in campaign activity to limit the harms caused by armed drones, autonomous weapons and the militarisation of space.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

• A degree, preferably to Master’s level, or equivalent experience in a subject area relevant to the post (Essential).
• Three years experience of engaging in research work, preferably in the peace and security/human rights sector or similar field (Essential).
• Commitment to the aims and objectives of Drone Wars UK (Essential) 
• Demonstrable ability to write and express thoughts and positions clearly, succinctly and accurately in English in a variety of formats, including major reports (Essential).
• Hands-on experience of managing websites (WordPress) and utilising social media, email marketing platforms, and varied digital tools to drive engagement (Essential). 

Skills and Attributes

• Understanding of the on-going legal and ethical debate around the use of armed drones, autonomous weapons and/or militarisation of space (Essential).
• Ability to manage workloads and professional duties without day-to-day managerial oversight (Essential) 
• The right to work in the UK (Essential)
• Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities (Essential). 
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team (Essential).
• Experience in engaging with legacy and new media to promote campaign objectives (Desirable). 
• Familiarity with national and international security issues and institutions (Desirable).
• Willingness to learn new skills and work co-operatively with others to build strong campaigns (Desirable).