Data Collection Lead

Job Purpose

The postholder will join a research data collection team supporting researchers based at the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Unit’s Population Health Research Facility (PHRF). This team specialises in supporting the delivery of population and community-based research projects. The postholder will undertake data collection in Scottish secondary schools as part of the Equally Safe at School (ESAS) Trial. This is a national evaluation of a whole-school approach to tackling sexual harassment and gender-based violence. The postholder may also support other projects in PHRF.

The role involves travel to secondary schools across Scotland to help administer an online survey to all students in years 2,4, and 6. Tasks include preparing fieldwork materials, supporting teachers with survey logistics, explaining the purpose of the survey, and answering student queries, monitoring classrooms to ensure ‘exam conditions’ for completion, and fieldwork administration. Administration in schools can be complex and logistically difficult and initiative and good judgment is required. The questionnaire questions are also sensitive. You may be asked to support data collection in other settings and projects, as time allows. Training will be provided.

Data collection for the Equally Safe at School project will take place in school term-time between mid October and end of March, each year for three years. You must be available and willing to work at least 3 days per week during that time and be prepared to travel. A clean driving licence is preferred. Travel expenses would are reimbursed.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Responsible for delivering participant recruitment and data collection element of the study protocol. The post holder will be required to communicate effectively and professionally with the ESAS Management team and school staff by telephone, email, and in person, regularly about progress in relation to all elements of their duties. Input to regular briefings to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement to the study team. 2. Act as a point of contact with project schools and project participants: provide clear advice on the project processes to ensure that all participants understand what is required of them. Using experience, initiative and judgement to seek resolution to detected issues, and when required escalating to ESAS Management team. Support teachers in managing the logistics of administration and ensure students privacy to complete questionnaires.

3. Supervise and monitor members of data collection team to ensure protocols are followed and any concerns corrected. Ensure quality standards maintained by identifying and mitigating potential protocol or ethical risks when collecting data. 4.Work independently or as part of a team, administer web-based questionnaires to students, including support to students who may encounter IT issues or literacy issues.

5.Ensure own personal/team safety and ensure that any incidents are recorded in line with project protocols. Adhere to the University health and safety risk assessment training and ensure full use of the Lone Worker Safety system (SafeZone) where appropriate.

6. Complete project data collection and monitoring reports, identifying patterns and trends across data collection sites and/or participant’s activities and presenting conclusions to support existing standard processes and maximise project continuity. Deliver range of administrative tasks including risk assessments, voucher management, online expense forms and timesheets to support existing processes and audit compliance.

7. Prioritise, plan and schedule delegated activities from the ESAS management team to ensure delivery of the project within required standards and timeframes. Ensure that all study protocols and research governance guidelines are adhered to at all times including safeguarding and adverse event protocols. Responsible for determining project-related priorities, planning and scheduling of delegated activities from ESAS management team to ensure delivery of the project within required standards.

8. Adhere to defined quality standards and follow data collection protocols. Ensure that information (e.g. data collection reports) are accurately updated. Complete project data collection and monitoring reports, identifying patterns/trends in data collection across sites and/or participant’s activities and support existing standard processes and maximise project continuity.

9. Attend regular meetings and training sessions at the beginning of each research project. When required coach and support peers to ensure consistency and continuation of operations across project sites.

10. Deliver a range of administrative tasks including voucher management, timesheets and expense forms.

11. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the ESAS management team, supervisor or line manager.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 (Advanced Higher / Scottish Vocational Qualification level 3, Higher National Certificate) or equivalent qualification in nursing, psychology, social sciences or public health and ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role.

Knowledge/Skills

Essential

C1 Good time management and organisational skills including proactive planning, prioritising tasks and working under pressure to meet deadlines.

C2 Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with proven ability to engage with others and explain complex concepts in an easily understandable manner.

C3 Ability to follow project and standard protocols and Standing Operating Procedures accurately.

C4 Highly-developed analytical and problem-solving capability, including high degree of initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently.

C5 Ability to understand confidentiality and how this should be applied and an understanding of the need to comply with research governance and study protocols

C6 Good IT skills in Microsoft Office tools (e.g. database, spreadsheet, word processing, email, online video platforms).

C7 Flexible approach to work including hours worked, start and finish times, project locations and working and travelling independently or with colleagues to a wide variety of locations safely.

C8 Full driving licence.

Essential

Experience

E1 Experience of working independently and flexibly on a range of complex concurrent tasks within a multidisciplinary team, delegating tasks, leading and supervising staff, ensuring working to required research and health and safety protocols.

E2 Experience of working with children or adults in a research or similar setting.

E3 Experience of conducting in depth interviews or focus groups.

E4 Experience of planning, organising and prioritising own and delegating team workloads.

Desirable:

F1 An interest in social science or public health research.

F2 Experience of working in a school or community-based data collection

F3 Experience of following health and safety protocols to conduct data collection and working            and driving alone or with colleagues to a wide variety of locations.

F4 Knowledge of research methods, good research practice, governance, and the ethical issues surrounding research.

Other:

•  Study sites are outside Glasgow, and the candidate must have the ability to travel to schools, which may not be easily accessible by public transport, within the time and funding framework of the study.

•  Due to travel to schools across Scotland, some long days will frequently be required, including occasional overnight stays. It is essential that the candidate can work flexibly (including hours worked (a minimum of 3 days per week will be expected), project locations and team/lone working) to accommodate this. Travel and overnight stays are reimbursed.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £25,138 – £29,605 per annum pro rata.

This post is part time (9 hours per week) and fixed term until 31st March 2024. 

The post for which you are applying is considered “registered work” in terms of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act. It requires the successful applicant to become a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme member prior to appointment. This check is necessary to ensure that the University of Glasgow fulfils its legal duties under the Act.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.