Job Title:
Research Assistant – Stakeholder Engagement Housing and Health
School/Unit:
Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences
Location:
Llandaff Campus
Salary:
Grade 4A/B, £25,217 - £30,046 per annum
Hours:
37 hours per week
Tenure:
Fixed term for 1 year - we are seeking candidates that can start immediately
Welsh University of the Year 2021 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide.
Our performance in this year’s Guide is exceptional. Our University was the biggest riser in Wales, and the third biggest in the UK, placing us in the UK top 40 for student satisfaction with teaching quality and the wider student experience.
We are very pleased that our strong performance has resulted in the University attracting high numbers of well qualified students and we are now seeking additional staff in both our academic schools and professional services departments.
The Opportunity
Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences is a recognised centre of excellence in the UK and has established a national and international reputation for the quality of its academic and research work in the areas of sport and health sciences. Based across the Cyncoed and Llandaff campuses, we provide a broad range of vocationally focused academic programmes and pride ourselves on good student feedback and excellent graduate employability. Many of our programmes are professionally accredited to meet the requirements of the sport and healthcare professions and we engage closely with industry to provide consultancy services and professional development programmes. Our School also delivers a thriving research culture, with over 100 PhD students across a variety of disciplines. The wellbeing of our staff, students and our local community underpins everything we do as we continue to add value through our teaching, innovation and research.
You will become part of the project team updating of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. This system was brought into force by the Housing Act 2004 and provides a means of assessing the risk to health from defects in residential properties. It has been used in England and Wales since 2006. The evidence base for the system is being updated and the system is being simplified, as part of a project funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
You will carry out a literature review on housing and health and property conditions in England. They will carry out a consultation exercise to determine what problems are experienced by users of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and what solutions are available to address those problems. The post holder will identify stakeholder groups and conduct a range of engagement exercises with stakeholders relevant to the housing sector of England and Wales. The post holder will record, process and analyze findings. They will collaborate with other parties to resolve stakeholder issues with the rating system and carry out user testing of solutions for those issues, gathering feedback from stakeholders. The post holder will present their findings to other parties and take part in the drafting of new Operating Guidance for the Housing Health and Safety Rating System in liaison with project team colleagues.
To be successful you will further enrich our students’ experience through your expertise and subject knowledge as evidenced through your qualifications and experience.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Carry out a literature review looking at housing and health and property conditions. The findings will be used to inform updates and changes to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System used under the Housing Act 2004.
Contribute to the design of stakeholder engagement exerceises in collaboration with the Principal Investigator, using online alternatives to in-person meetings where practicable.
Conduct stakeholder engagement exercises both in person and through telecommunications technology to determine problems and potential solutions with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and potential alterations to the list of hazards used by the rating system.
Collect, record and analyse the data and write up results of stakeholder engagement activities in a timely fashion.
Be knowledgeable of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and associated regulations and guidance. To be knowledgable of existing and future regulatory regimes that impact upon the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (e.g. fire safety, energy efficiency measures to combat climate change, etc.).
Prepare and present findings of research activity to colleagues for internal and external review.
Prepare progress reports on the research from time to time as required by the supervisor for internal and external review purposes.
Determine appropriate solutions to reform the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and present them to stakeholders.
Carry out desktop and user testing of new formats for the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. Gather and process feedback and present findings for internal and external review.
Assist with redrafting the Housing Health and Safety Rating System Operating Guidance, incorporating changes to the system.
What we are looking for - Experience & Strengths
A good level of knowledge of the housing sector of England and Wales and the links between housing and health
Qualitative research methods in particular thematic analysis
Knowledge of housing law, including the Housing Act 2004 and associated legislation
Ability to conduct high quality research and engage with the academic literature
Ability to set up and perform qualitative research gathering exercises in a reproducible manner
Strong problem solving ability and analytical skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency in the use of computers and MS Office suite
Proficiency with Nvivo or equivalent coding software
Ability to process qualitative and quantitative data and report findings from data gathering exercises
Ability to develop productive working
relationships as part of a professional team
Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, towards tight deadlines
Confident when interacting with stakeholders from a range of backgrounds.
What we are looking for - Essential Qualifications
A good honours degree or equivalent in a social sciences related subject or Environmental Health
How to apply
If you would like to talk with us about this opportunity please contact Henry Dawson, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Health Housing and Public Health at hdawson@cardiffmet.ac.uk
To start your application please visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/jobs
Closing date: Monday 1 February 2021, 16:30 pm.
Should a high volume of applications be received, we may need to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.
We are committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. Our Strategic Plan underpins our commitment to recruit and retain the best talent and we welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds. We appoint on merit.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic all of our recruitment is being conducted virtually. We aim to respond to your application as soon as possible.
Further Information
Full Job Description and Person Specification
Our Candidate Pack
Please visit our website for information about working for us, our culture, benefits, work-life balance and our career progression and development opportunities.