Field Researchers vacancies
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Exciting Summer Opportunity (paid)!
Looking for an adventure this summer? Dive into the dynamic world of Economics as a Field Researcher with us - We are offering five exciting positions where you'll become an integral part of our bustling Economics team.
What’s this role about?
As a Field Researcher, you'll play a vital role in gathering data for our annual survey of the fishing fleet throughout the UK. Picture yourself visiting different ports and harbours, some in breathtaking locations, and interacting with fishermen, vessel owners, and skippers as you collect socio-economic information for our fleet survey. This role is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the UK's seafood sector and a chance for you to contribute to our publications by sharing your insights gleaned from engaging directly with those involved in the industry.
If you're eager to explore different locations throughout the UK, we would love to hear from you!
Before you embark on this thrilling journey, here's what you need to know:
🎯 You'll have specific targets for completing surveys, but don't worry, we'll support you every step of the way.
🚗 You will need to be able to drive for this role. Our goal is to survey every single port and harbour in the UK, which means visiting numerous locations across the country. You'll be on the move a lot, staying overnight in different areas. We'll set you up with a vehicle for your convenience.
📅 Due to the diverse schedules of individuals you will engage with, flexibility is key. Get ready to think outside the box to achieve your survey targets.
💡 We've got you covered! Our team led by the Fleet Survey Project Manager will meticulously plan, organise, and cover all your travel costs and accommodations, ensuring a seamless experience for you.
📚 We'll offer comprehensive training to ensure you're fully equipped with interview techniques, industry knowledge, and safety protocols before you hit the field. This training is scheduled to occur during the first weeks of July and will be held in Edinburgh and Peterhead, so it's essential that you are available during that time. Our aim is to make sure you're well-prepared and confident in your abilities before you begin your research activities.
If you're interested in learning more about Seafish, our Economics, Insight and Advice team, and the specifics of the role, dive deeper into the details below:
- Job status & start date: This is a temporary summer post, starting on 1 July 2024 and ending in mid-September 2024. The contract duration is approx. 10 to 12 weeks.
- Location: In this role, you will primarily be conducting fieldwork and travelling across the UK. Our Economics team is located in Edinburgh, and there will be times when you are required to join them at their base. However, the majority of your time will be spent on the road, visiting various locations.
- The salary for this post is: £22,942 per year pro rata.
Seafish is here to give the UK seafood sector the support it needs to thrive. Our work makes a huge difference. We collaborate with a wide range of partners – from seafood businesses and trade bodies to government, regulators, and environmental organisations – and we engage in everything from research to campaigns, insight, and training.
The Seafish Economics, Insight and Advice team provides research and insight on a range of topics and sectors in the seafood industry including fishing, processing, trade and retail. We collect and analyse data on the economic performance of fishing and processing businesses, their workforce and seafood trade and retail among other areas.
We provide key advice to Government, industry and researchers which helps inform fisheries, labour and trade policies. Our outputs include the Economics of the UK Fishing Fleet reports, Quay Issues magazine and our digital Enquiry Tools – have a look!
Our annual survey of the fishing fleet is one of our key pieces of research looking into the health of the UK's fishing sector. The survey investigates the economic performance of the fleet and the demographics of the people who work in it. The outputs of the fleet survey allow us to better understand the social impact the industry has on coastal communities and the impacts of fisheries management policies.
At Seafish we operate a Trust and Performance working environment which focuses on performance - both what you do and how you go about achieving it. We don’t measure time in our Trust and Performance culture, instead we measure delivery. Working in this way means you have autonomy and accountability in equal parts and are working in a way that is most effective for you, as long as your work gets delivered to agreed standards.
Main dimensions & responsibilities
- Data collection: Conducting in-person interviews with fishermen, fishing vessel owners and skippers across UK ports to gather socioeconomic and financial data.
- Engagement and communication: Building rapport and engaging with industry members to encourage participation in the survey. Utilising strong communication skills to facilitate conversations and gather relevant information.
- Data entry: Entering collected data into digital survey forms using tablets or mobile phones to ensure comprehensive datasets for further analysis by the economics team.
- Data quality assurance: Ensuring the quality of collected data to provide reliable raw data suitable for analysis.
- Organisational tasks: Organising and delivering work using digital survey forms and collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams.
Essential working relationships
- Daily reporting to the Fleet Survey Project Manager while working closely with the rest of the Economics team.
- Daily communication with members of the UK fishing sector and other industry representatives, to undertake interviews and gather information on fishing sector activity.
- Semi-regular communication with Seafish stakeholders via social media platforms and press articles to promote the fleet survey.
Essential skills and attributes:
- Target-driven attitude: Being motivated to achieve set targets and goals in data collection/surveys.
- Confident communication: Being able to confidently approach industry members and engage in meaningful but sometimes challenging conversations.
- Ability to work under pressure: Capable of working efficiently against deadlines and managing workload effectively.
- Organisational skills: Ability to organise and prioritise tasks independently, seeking support when necessary.
- Sound judgement: Exercising discretion and good judgement during fieldwork and interviews.
- Self-motivation: Having the drive and initiative to work independently and meet agreed results.
- Interpersonal skills: Eager to meet new people and establish rapport with individuals in the fishing sector.
- A full, clean driving licence.
Qualification (desirable but not essential):
- A degree in Economics or other social sciences, preferably with a research component. While this is desirable, it is not essential, as candidates with relevant skills, experience, and alternative educational backgrounds may also be considered.
Other desirable skills:
- Competent in using Microsoft Teams & the Microsoft Office package.
- Knowledge of primary research techniques, ability to exercise critical thinking, and a good understanding of the importance of data quality.
- Experience working in professional project teams.
- The salary for this post is £22,942 per year pro rata.
- 6.5 days of paid annual leave for the contract duration (including Bank Holidays).
- A generous employer pension scheme – Seafish will double your contribution, up to a maximum employer contribution of 10%.
- Access to a range of health and wellbeing benefits like private medical insurance and free eye tests.
- Our unlimited employee assistance scheme is a support service available 24/7 – it offers confidential, impartial advice on anything you need such as work, family, finance support or anything else personal to you.
- We have a professional development culture with plenty of learning opportunities.
- Those who exceed survey expectations could receive extra rewards.
To apply for the post you should email your application to recruitment@seafish.co.uk. Please include ‘Field Researcher’ in the subject line of your email.
Your application should include:
- A covering letter OR a short video explaining why you are a suitable candidate.
- A recent copy of your CV so we can find out more about your skills and experience.
- A completed copy of our recruitment consent form.
The deadline for applications is 6 May 2024.
Candidates invited to interview will be given at least one weeks’ notice of proposed interview date to allow you to prepare. At this stage you may be asked to complete a short task in advance of interview and then answer some competency-based questions during interview.
Further information
For any queries about the job description or the salary and benefits on offer, please email recruitment@seafish.co.uk.