GSR Fast Stream

Government social researchers play a critical role in gathering analysing and interpreting the information that forms the foundation for decision-making affecting every UK resident. As a Research Officer (Fast Stream) working for a civil service organisation you can contribute to the reporting of social trends, the development of government policy and evaluation of how policies make a difference to public services.  Your work might involve developing surveys, analysing data, producing statistics, reviewing existing research evidence and working with other analysts in government to provide timely, relevant and robust briefing for policy colleagues and Ministers.

The GSR fast stream provides a platform for talented and motivated social researchers to reach the highest levels of responsibility in the Civil service. As a Research Officer (Fast Stream) you will follow a development programme designed to develop your social research, managerial and communication skills, and to prepare you for promotion to more senior roles. In your first few years you can expect to move jobs every eighteen months to two years, and you could widen your experience by taking a secondment to another government department. Promotion is based on merit. The first promotion is to Senior Research Officer and you should be ready for this after two years or so (this depends on skills and experience and availability of Senior Research roles, so it could take more or less than two years). After a couple of years as a Senior Research Officer you could have developed the skills and experience needed for promotion to Principal Research Officer and ideally, you’ll be keen to take on a post in the Senior Civil Service after that.

To join the GSR as a Research Officer (Fast Stream) you must have, or expect to get in 2012, a first or upper second-class honours degree in a *relevant social science with a substantial social research component or, a second class honours degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification in social research.

Experience of working in an applied research setting is desirable but not essential.

*relevant social science disciplines include:

• Area and Development Studies
• Criminology
• Demography
• Economics
• Economic and Social History
• Education
• Environmental Planning
• Human Geography
• Linguistics
• Management and Business Studies
• Methods and Computing
• Political Science and International Studies
• Psychology
• Science and Technology Studies
• Social Anthropology
• Social Policy
• Social Work
• Socio-Legal Studies
• Sociology and Statistics

You will begin your GSR career employed by a specific government organisation/department. Which one will depend on where there are vacancies. We will look at candidate’s preferences on the application form but as we are only expecting to be able to offer a very small number of places, the chances of meeting your preferences are significantly reduced. As your time on the fast stream, and your career progresses, you may choose to apply for roles in other GSR organisations/departments.

Salaries vary between departments. The average starting salary in London is about £25,000 for someone with a first degree. Some departments do pay more to reflect relevant postgraduate qualifications.

The GSR Fast Stream opens on 19 September 2011 and closes on 17 October 2011.

• How to apply? [Fast Stream website]
• Recruitment process – explained

If you cannot apply online, can you ask for an alternative format in Braille or audio.
Contact: faststream@parity.net

If you choose an Analytical Fast Stream scheme (Economist, Statistician, Social Researcher or Operational Researcher), you will not be able to apply for GFS, TIB, NI, EFS, and the HR Fast Streams in the same year, and vice versa. You can apply for more than one scheme in the Analytical Fast Stream, but these must be in the same recruitment round.

You cannot apply for the Economist, Statistician, Social Researcher or Operational Researcher schemes on more than one occasion between 19 September 2011 and April 2012. If you apply for Round 2 of any of the Analytical schemes, having already applied to Round 1 of any of the Analytical schemes, it will constitute a second application and will receive an automatic fail.

To progress through the recruitment process you must pass each individual stage. Once you have selected the option you wish to apply for you will have a specific number of days to complete each stage described below. You will be notified of your completion dates on your ‘Scheme Progress’ page in the password protected area of the Fast Stream site. If you need an extension of a completion date for genuine reasons, it is essential that you contact the Fast Stream Helpdesk on 01276 400333 or send a message via the candidate website. The time frame for each stage is set once you have completed the preceding stage; any unused time is not carried forward.

Candidates who pass the Social Research Assessment Centre and the Fast Stream Assessment Centre may defer appointment for up to 12 months to complete a relevant post graduate degree.