Research and Engagement Officer

We're looking for an enthusiastic Research and Engagement Officer to plan and deliver engagement and research for our core and project work. This role involves listening and reaching out into communities to understand the experiences and concerns of local people using health and social care services and presenting this feedback to those planning and running services.

An ideal candidate is someone who walks into a room full of strangers and comes out with contacts, stories and having built a trusting connection. This role will include going out to geographical and communities of interest with an aim of making sure that we hear from all of the diverse communities of Wakefield District.

We recognise that research can be a term that puts people off, but we want to make research accessible and manageable for everyone. So, put simply, our research projects are always focussed on hearing from a specific community and we use different methods to reach them effectively and to capture their comments in ways that resonate and have impact.

Purpose

To plan and deliver engagement and research for Healthwatch Wakefield s core and project work. To understand the experiences and concerns of people using health and social care services in Wakefield District and represent this feedback to service providers and commissioners. The role involves some analysis of data and intelligence to influence change and improve services.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

This is a dynamic role with lots of opportunity to make it your own. We have a small team of Research and Engagement Officers, and each works slightly differently to achieve the shared goal of reaching out and exploring ways to capture and interpret the experiences of people who use local services. The main functions are:

• Engagement
• Research and Project Management
• Data and Intelligence Analysis

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience of engagement, particularly with seldom heard groups and communities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong teamwork skills.
• Capable of working independently and managing a varied workload.
• Experience of using various engagement methodologies, including surveys, focus groups, interviews, and community meetings.
• Experience working with, networking, and developing partnerships with a range of people, including project stakeholders, diverse community groups, and other organisations.
• Experience using various research and engagement methodologies, including surveys, focus groups, interviews, and community meetings.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint and Word.
• Commitment to the principles and values of Healthwatch.
• Demonstrates empathy, integrity, and a drive to influence positive change in health and social care.
• Willingness to travel within the Wakefield area.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in data analysis, both quantitative and qualitative.
• Experience producing impact-focused reports and summary documents.
• Familiarity with local services and community needs.
• Knowledge of the voluntary and community sector, especially in Wakefield District.
• Good understanding of health and social care sectors, especially within the Wakefield area.