Research Specialist A&O

A government organization is developing into an information-driven supervisor. The Analysis & Research department provides information products for internal clients, such as supervision programs and directorates. There are three research teams, each focused on its own area: Fair Work, Healthy and Safe Work, and Social Security. These teams work on demand-driven research products primarily based on and aimed at supervisory practice. A fourth research specialist is sought to work across teams and themes.

What you will do.

• Safeguard the quality of research products.
• Advise and guide colleagues substantively and methodologically on the research approach – from planning to execution and writing phase.
• Provide process-related support, including quality procedures, coordination processes, and disclosure requirements.
• Maintain active contact with research leads to stay informed of relevant developments and determine when further inquiry is needed.
• Be involved in an average of 15 ongoing research products, administer progress, and accurately record agreements.
• Advise team leaders on appropriate quality assurance at the start of a research product.
• Monitor whether adjustments are necessary during execution and play a role in the formal quality review of research plans/final products.
• Contribute to the continuous professionalization of research teams by drawing lessons from involvement in various products.
• Support the allocation of researchers to projects in collaboration with team leaders and other specialists.
• Monitor where collaboration with other departments is needed to optimally utilize knowledge within the organization.
• Provide valuable input based on your expertise on strategic issues and political-administrative sensitivities.
• You will not conduct research yourself; the role focuses on coordination and guidance.

What they ask

• University (WO) level of work and thinking, demonstrated by relevant work experience and/or diploma.
• Education in a social science direction (e.g., sociology, psychology, criminology, public administration).
• Minimum of five years of experience in managing complex (practice-oriented) research.
• Extensive experience in guiding researchers.
• Thorough and demonstrable knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative methods and techniques for data collection and analysis.
• Extensive experience in reporting (in Dutch) on practice-oriented research results and being able to advise others on this.
• Knowledge of or affinity with the broad field of work of a government organization, specifically in the area of risk-oriented supervision, information-driven work, and effect-oriented supervision.