Research Assistant Volunteer
Research is an important part of our work at Helen Bamber Foundation and enables us to understand our clients’ experiences and how they can be best supported. We produce evidence, which we use alongside learning from our services, to try to change law, policy and practice across different organisations and authorities such as the NHS and Home Office. Everyone in the sector can then use our evidence to drive positive change and improve support for Survivors.
Much of our research has a clinical focus, such as exploring new types of therapeutic approaches. We also carry out systematic reviews of existing evidence about health conditions and their management and interview-based studies of the lived experience and health impact of aspects of forced migration (such as the mental health impact of detention and of quasi-detention accommodation). We conduct research addressing legal, counter-trafficking and policy issues such as the difficulties experienced during the ‘transition’ period after people gain leave to remain . We are working to increase involvement of and co-production with people who have expertise by lived experience (including our clients and former clients) in our research programme.
Research helps us achieve our goals of securing legal protection for survivors, increasing access to appropriate care and preventing re-trafficking.
We are looking for a volunteer to support the research team to progress a variety of research projects.
Main tasks and activities
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Assisting the research team with ad-hoc administrative research tasks, including data management and research project tracking
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Making research recruitment calls and speaking to clients about research opportunities
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Translating research papers into accessible summaries and creative content
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Contributing to data extraction and analysis across a number of research projects
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Editing and reviewing research papers to prepare them to be submitted for publication
Skills and experience needed
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Understanding of, and commitment to, the objectives of the Helen Bamber Foundation;
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A demonstrable empathy for our vulnerable clients, including people seeking asylum, refugees and survivors of torture and trafficking;
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Some knowledge of the challenges facing vulnerable clients including people seeking asylum, refugees and survivors of torture, trafficking;
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Strong interest in research and its potential to contribute to positive change for our client group
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Ability to think critically about research, and to be mindful of the ethical dilemmas and complexities surrounding doing research with survivors
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
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Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage own time and workload, and to prioritise a range of competing demands;
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Ability to translate complex and technical academic writing into accessible content
Desirable
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Experience analysing qualitative and/or quantitative data
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Strong writing and editing skills, and previous experience of writing academic papers or non-academic reports
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An interest in participatory research methods and co-production and in centering lived-experience within research
Equal Opportunities
Our commitment to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our approach to our clients, our volunteers and our staff, and we are an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer. We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates because we are keen to make sure that all our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in.
We genuinely welcome and encourage applications from a range of backgrounds, especially people of colour, people with disabilities, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration or trauma.
Download full job description here.