Researcher jobs in Edinburgh

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). 

Are you passionate about using research and insight to help organisations make better decisions and create greater impact? Join Shelter as our Audience Research and Insight Manager and play a key role in helping us better understand the people we support, engage and influence.

About the role

The role of Audience Research and Insight Manager is a vital role, working with teams across Shelter to develop valuable insights into our key and varied audiences, ensuring user needs are valued along with the needs of the organisation, and our work is underpinned by actionable insight. Our audiences include donors (regular givers, occasional donors, eventers, community fundraisers), retail audiences (online and high street shoppers and donors), campaigners, service users, volunteers and elite audiences (journalists, politicians, policy makers, housing professionals) and corporate partners.

Role specifics

We’re looking for someone who can lead and develop audience research and insight that helps Shelter better understand, engage and support the people we work with. You’ll manage a team of User Researchers, champion user-centred and inclusive research practices, and bring together evidence from research, analytics and audience data to generate clear, actionable insights. Working collaboratively across the organisation, you’ll help teams make informed decisions about audiences, messaging and channels, while promoting an insight-led culture, monitoring external trends and ensuring research continues to shape Shelter’s strategy and impact.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

This role sits in the 7-person Strategic Evaluation and Insight team which sits in the Digital and Audience Engagement sub directorate, within the Campaigns, Policy and Communications (CPC) department.

The team is a keystone in shaping and delivering the work of Shelter bringing together Strategic Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, Audience insight and User Research.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Are you passionate about understanding people's needs and using research to create better digital experiences? Join Shelter as a User Researcher and help shape the digital products and services that support our fight for home.

About the role

The User Researchers play an integral role in delivering Shelter’s Digital Purpose:

Digital enables Shelter to meet its goals by creating engaging experiences which harness and amplify people power in the fight for home.

Working closely with the digital product teams you will use an iterative and user-centred approach to plan, design and facilitate research activities with users to help teams get a richer understanding of the people that are engaging with Shelter’s digital products and services so that we can design solutions to meet their needs or goals.

Role specifics

We’re looking for someone who can plan and deliver high-quality, inclusive user research that helps shape better digital products and services. You’ll work closely with designers, product managers and stakeholders to turn design challenges into research questions, design and facilitate research activities, and generate actionable insights from qualitative and quantitative data. You’ll champion user-centred design across the organisation, helping teams build confidence in research-led decision-making while promoting good practice in ethics, accessibility and safeguarding. Working collaboratively within agile teams, you’ll help ensure the voices and needs of our users remain at the heart of Shelter’s digital services.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

This role sits in the 7-person Strategic Insight and Evaluation team which sits under in the Digital and Audience Engagement sub directorate, within the Campaigns, Policy and Communications (CPC) department.

The team is a keystone in shaping and delivering the work of Shelter and brings together strategic audience insight and user research and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.