Migration Yorkshire Community Researcher job description (sample)

Job Purpose:

The post holder(s) will contribute to Migration Yorkshire’s research programme within the Policy and Research team. This post involves the opportunity to contribute to the design and implementation of research projects, which includes performing research tasks such as fieldwork, transcription, primary and secondary analysis and writing in a supportive environment. The core tasks of this post will involve supporting the research work of Migration Yorkshire and its partners in the Refugee Integration Yorkshire & Humber project, who are working on topics including social interaction between third country (non-EU) nationals and local communities, isolation experienced by third country nationals and an understanding of ‘wellbeing’ by different communities, and the housing pathways of refugees. You will also have the opportunity to influence councils and other organisations on issues affecting people with experiences of migrating to live in the UK.

The post holder(s) will have personal experience of migrating to live in the UK. Migration Yorkshire recognises the value of involving people with lived experience of what you are researching in the design and implementation of research, enabling us to incorporate those perspectives from the beginning of a project to ultimately better understand the migrant experiences and perspectives we are researching.

You will have good qualitative research skills with some experience of applied research. You will have strong communication skills, an eye for accuracy and detail, and an ability to create and maintain good relationships. You are a team player, a good listener and interested in other people’s stories.

The post is funded through ‘Refugee Integration Yorkshire & Humber’ which provides comprehensive support to improve the integration of refugees, with a strategic approach and front-line services, underpinned by research, evidence and refugee participation. Refugee Integration Yorkshire & Humber will deliver a regional strategy with commitments from all partners, galvanise key services, employers and civil society, produce robust research, and provide local one-to-one support and opportunities for individual refugees.

The project is managed by Migration Yorkshire and delivered across the Yorkshire and Humber region through a partnership of statutory and third sector organisations. The project is part funded by the European Union Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. 

Migration Yorkshire works with national government, local government, and others to ensure that Yorkshire and Humber can deal with, and benefit from, migration. Migration Yorkshire is hosted by Leeds City Council. 

Responsibilities for Grade:

• Independently undertake research tasks as directed, to a high standard
• Read and summarise research reports of relevance to the Migration Yorkshire team and partners
• Write and present reports for a range of audiences at local and regional levels
• Actively contribute to research meetings and Migration Yorkshire team meetings, and support peer researchers in the team with their research training
• Develop and maintain relationships with Migration Yorkshire’s stakeholders and partners from research institutions, working with them to design and implement their respective research projects
• Support the work of the Migrant Info Hub which aims to help migrants, and those supporting them, to stay safe, connected and informed and to reduce the harmful impacts of coronavirus on Yorkshire and Humber and on people’s lives
• Be responsible for personal learning and development, undertake available training to increase knowledge, skills and awareness, attend group visits to research partners
• Work with other members of the team to ensure Leeds City Council and Migration Yorkshire procedures are followed in all areas of work, including finance, safeguarding, health and safety, data protection, accessibility etc.

General

• Respect the confidential nature of the work and follow good practice in data protection.
• Provide excellent customer service to all stakeholders.
• Provide occasional cover for other team members as required, commensurate with the grade.
• Be responsive to the needs of the team and support colleagues as required.
• There will be occasional travel across Yorkshire and Humber, and sometimes beyond, for meetings and events [please note this depends on current Covid-19 restrictions]

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION: Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:  Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements

Qualifications

Degree level education or equivalent through relevant training/experience

Experience and Knowledge Required

• Personal experience of migrating to live in the UK
• Experience of working on an applied research project
• In-depth familiarity with challenges faced by people with different migration statuses e.g. people seeking asylum, people with refugee status, people with EU ‘pre-settled’ status, people with visa conditions
• Good knowledge of issues concerning migration, social cohesion, integration, and social inequalities
• Understanding of issues concerning research ethics, confidentiality, data protection and freedom of information

Skills Required

• Good qualitative research skills including designing and conducting fieldwork, analysing qualitative data and/or transcribing interviews
• Good command of written and spoken English
• Ability to learn quickly and absorb new information on issues concerning qualitative research and analysis
• Good communication skills, particularly including excellent listening skills and the ability to develop good relationships quickly
• IT literacy, including competence in using Word and Excel
• Ability to write and present information to a range of audiences
• Ability to professionally represent the organisation to partners and external stakeholders, and capacity to develop constructive relationships with partner organisations

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

• Enthusiastic about the integration of migrants and about ensuring that the Yorkshire and Humber region benefits from migration
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Flexible and responsive to change and feedback and willing to learn
• Committed to diversity, equal opportunities and community cohesion.