Research Assistant: Poverty Truth Commission

We are looking to appoint a part-time Research Assistant on a research project working with those developing a Poverty Truth Commission within County Durham. In particular, this research is exploring what is being learnt by those involved from using the Poverty Truth Commission approach as a model of engagement seeking to tackle poverty in the County Durham context. The Poverty Truth Commission approach involves recruiting participants with lived experience of poverty within a specific local area (‘Community Commissioners’) who engage in dialogue with decision-makers from wider agencies (‘Civic Commissioners’) to effect change. Durham Community Action are running this project on behalf of a range of partners, with dedicated staff; the research assistant role is particularly to support the research and learning activity running alongside this project. In particular, it is anticipated that the Research Assistant will foc us on conducting the aspects of the research involving the civic commissioners from wider public and voluntary sector organisations.

This post is fixed term for 8 hours per week up to 31/12/26. (Ideally, the successful applicant will take up their post as soon as possible, with the post then running to 31/12/26). The post is fixed term due to the project being time-limited and funding for this research only being available during this period.

There is some flexibility around the exact days and times that any hours can be worked during normal office hours 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday each week, subject to the successful candidate agreeing a regular normal working pattern that fits the needs of the project. In particular, the needs of the project include working hours that facilitate co-ordination with the other researchers (noting the lead researcher in the partner organisation does not work Mondays) and being able to attend the schedule of key Poverty Truth commission events, which at present are scheduled to include monthly meetings 12-3pm on Thursdays in the project area.

The Research Assistant will particularly work with Andrew Orton (as Principal Investigator from Durham University, who will be the immediate supervisor) and the Pioneering Care Partnership research team (who will be leading on research involving community commissioners). The role is funded via ESRC Impact Acceleration Account funding.

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