Research Associate

Job Title: Research Associate
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Reporting To: Research Fellow
Line Management: Research Assistant

Job Purpose
The Research Associate will work within the Research and Analysis and/or Standards team to design and undertake research and evaluation projects focused on the design and delivery of educational assessments and qualifications, supporting the Ofqual corporate plan.

Key Accountabilities
1. Research Execution
o Conduct research in the field of educational assessment and qualifications.
2. Project Management
o Independently manage ongoing research projects.
3. Collaborative Research
o Collaborate with other teams and external organisations (e.g., academic departments) to provide methodological and research-based support.
4. Statistical and Analytical Support
o Offer statistical and analytical support to the research team and across the Directorate (including Standards and Comparability).
5. Technical Advisory Support
o Contribute research input to technical advisory groups and committees.
6. Critical Review
o Review reports produced by peers, academics, and other agencies critically.
7. Publication Contribution
o Contribute to the publication of reports, articles, and data.
8. Knowledge Dissemination
o Stay informed on relevant research in the UK and internationally, sharing findings with other Directorates.
9. Line Management
o Manage research staff and other team members as needed.
10. Respond to Queries
o Address internal and external queries regarding research.
11. Additional Duties
o Undertake any other duties as directed by line management.

Corporate Accountabilities
1. Leadership by Example
o Serve as a role model for Ofqual’s values and professional standards.
2. Business and Corporate Plan Delivery
o Drive the delivery of business and corporate plans within your responsibility.
3. Team Management
o Manage individuals or teams, addressing underperformance and ensuring proper resourcing.
4. Continuous Improvement
o Promote continuous improvement in areas of responsibility.
5. Risk Management
o Take a proactive approach to risk management, ensuring risks are reported and escalated as needed.
6. Resource Management
o Manage delegated resources (e.g., budgets, equipment, contracts) to ensure value for money.
7. Compliance
o Ensure compliance with Ofqual’s policies, including equality, sustainability, health and safety, and data protection.
8. Additional Responsibilities
o Perform any other duties as directed by line management.

Experience, Skills, and Abilities
1. Statistical Techniques
o Ability to apply a range of statistical techniques, including multivariate analyses.
2. Research Project Management
o Proven ability to plan, design, and deliver innovative research projects.
3. Data Analysis
o Ability to analyze and interpret complex statistical data and technical information.
4. Communication
o Excellent written and oral communication skills, able to communicate complex data clearly.
5. Computational Statistical Tools
o Proficiency in computational statistical software tools such as SPSS, R, SAS, or other programming languages.
6. Creative Problem-Solving
o Ability to think creatively to solve complex research problems.
7. Flexibility and Time Management
o Strong ability to manage changing and competing priorities.
8. People and Project Management
o Effective management of people, resources, and project teams to achieve objectives.

Knowledge and Qualifications
1. Degree Requirement
o A degree (preferably a higher degree) in a quantitative subject.
2. Educational Assessment Knowledge
o Understanding of educational assessment principles, including reliability, validity, and comparability.
3. Assessment System Knowledge
o Knowledge of England’s assessment, examination, and qualification system.
4. Testing Requirements
o You may be required to complete online tests, exercises, scenarios, or psychometric testing during the selection process.