Research Officer
Employer: Homeless Link
Location: To be agreed - Hybrid or Remote working possible
Temporary: 1 year fixed term contract
Working hours: Full Time
Salary: £33,762 to £38,040
Closing date: 7.30am, Monday 15th June 2026
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1. Job Profile
Role Description
As part of the Social Change directorate, the Policy and Research team lead Homeless Link’s evidence, policy influencing and thought leadership activities within the homelessness sector and beyond.
The research team generates robust evidence and practical insight to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. We exist to:
• Contribute to the national evidence base needed to shape policy, challenge narratives, and advocate for system-level change; and
• Deliver applied mixed-methods social research that helps organisations, services, commissioners, and communities understand needs, experiences, and what works and use this insight to strengthen responses to homelessness.
The Research Officer will support the delivery of Homeless Link’s research portfolio working across a range of strategic and commissioned projects. This may include sector-wide research, service and programme evaluations, learning reviews and projects exploring the experiences and outcomes of people experiencing homelessness. This role will involve supporting research design, data collection, analysis and reporting and working collaboratively with colleagues across Homeless Link, member organisations, commissioners, partners and people with lived experience.
PURPOSE
• To help strengthen our understanding of the causes and consequences of homelessness, service provision and effective practice through high-quality research and evaluation
• To support the delivery of both strategic and commissioned consultancy projects across Homeless Link’s research portfolio
• To undertake qualitative and quantitative research in support of the wider Homeless Link research team
• To help translate evidence and insights into accessible findings and practical recommendations for change
ACCOUNTABILITY
The Research Officer will be part of the Policy and Research team and will report to the Senior Research Manager. The Research Officer will work closely with all members of the Policy and Research team and will also liaise regularly with other teams across the organisation.
LOCATION
This post can either be based in our London office or home-based with willingness to travel within the UK, and some overnight stays required.
Responsibilities
RESEARCH
• Support the delivery of varied portfolio of research and evaluation projects.
• Contribute to research design, including development of research tools, sampling approaches, fieldwork plans and analysis frameworks
• Collect, clean, analyse and interpret quantitative data from surveys, monitoring data and other sources
• Undertake qualitative research with people experiencing homelessness and frontline homelessness providers and partners, including interviews, focus groups or workshops
• Support the production of literature reviews, evidence summaries and briefings to inform project design and reporting
• Contribute to analysis and reporting, helping to identify key themes, findings and implications for policy and practice
COMMUNICATION AND INFLUENCING
• Establish and maintain effective communication and stakeholder relationships with Homeless Link members, project partners and other potential key stakeholders
• Contribute to well-written, clear and accessible reports, briefings, presentations and other outputs
• Present research findings to internal and external audiences where appropriate
• Work with the wider Research team to ensure findings inform Homeless Link’s policy, practice development, workforce development, consultancy and communications work
CONTRIBUTING TO THE BIGGER PICTURE
• Develop knowledge and understanding of available evidence and data related to homelessness and related areas
• Support the delivery of the Homeless Link Research Forum, bringing together those conducting research related to homelessness and facilitating the sharing of practice and knowledge
• Contribute to internal learning and knowledge sharing across Homeless Link
• Support partnership working with researchers, evaluators, academics, voluntary sector organisations and statutory partners
GENERAL
• Roles and objectives in Homeless Link may change. All members of staff are expected to be prepared to work flexibly in response to changing business needs.
• All members of staff are expected to undertake any other responsibilities or tasks that are consistent with their role and/or reasonably required by the Chief Executive.
• All members of staff are required to operate in accordance with Homeless Link’s
values, policies and procedures.
This is a description of the job as it is presently constituted. It is the practice of Homeless Link to examine job descriptions from time to time and to update them to ensure they relate to the job as then being performed, or to incorporate whatever changes are required to reflect business needs. This will be conducted in consultation with you. It is the organisation’s aim to reach agreement on changes, but if agreement is not possible, the organisation reserves the right to insist on changes to your job description, after consultation with you.
Person specification
QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE FOR THE ROLE
Essential
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research design and associated methods in a social research setting
• Experience in working with data including data cleaning, data manipulation and data analysis
• Strong Excel skills, including working with datasets, basic analysis and data management
• Knowledge or experience of carrying out qualitative research, such as interviews, focus groups or workshops
• Understanding of ethical and data protection considerations when conducting research with people experiencing disadvantage, exclusion or trauma
Desirable
• Experience of using research, analysis and data visualisation software such as SPSS, R, NVivo, Power BI or equivalent
• Knowledge or experience of research involving people with people experiencing disadvantage, exclusion or trauma
• Knowledge of the current policy context in relation to homelessness, social exclusion, health and social care, or a related field
EXPERIENCE AND TRACK RECORD
Essential
• Experience of supporting the delivery of research and/or evaluation projects to a high standard and within agreed timelines
• Experience of analysing qualitative and/or quantitative data and presenting findings clearly and accurately
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data from different sources
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and accessibly for different audiences
• Good verbal communication skills, including confidence engaging with colleagues, partners and research participants
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a time-pressured environment
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and seek support when needed
• Confidence working collaboratively as part of a team and with external stakeholders
• Strong IT skills and ability to work effectively in a hybrid or remote-working environment
Desirable
• Experience of service evaluation, programme evaluation or applied research
• Experience of peer research, co-production and/or lived experience involvement in research design, delivery and analysis
• Experience of working with voluntary sector organisations, public sector partners or frontline services
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ROLES AT HOMELESS LINK
Essential
• Willingness and ability to work outside normal office hours.
• Willingness and ability to operate in accordance with the values and policies of Homeless Link.
• Willingness and ability to work flexibly in response to changing organisational requirements.
• Commitment to bring into the work the views, needs and voices of people with direct experience of homelessness.
Desirable
• A sound understanding of the causes, consequences and solutions to homelessness based on direct experience.
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