The Barry Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust is recruiting for our annual political research fellowship.
The fellowship is intended to facilitate research with a socialist orientation, consistent with the broad aims of the Trust. The research fellowship is an initiative which is carried out in conjunction with a partner organisation.
This year we are partnering with the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) on a project of strategic research. The IWGB is a new and dynamic union which consists of mainly low paid, migrant and/or precarious workers, such as outsourced cleaners and security guards, workers in the so-called “gig economy”, such as Deliveroo couriers and Uber drivers, and foster care workers.
The role will involve two parts: first, undertaking strategic research with IWGB branches for upcoming organising initiatives, including examining company accounts, identifying decision makers and pressure points, as well as other support where needed.
Second, the role will involve working with members and staff to document and evaluate previous campaigns by the union’s members. At the end of the project the fellow will be expected to produce a report drawing out analysis across the two strands of work. As part of the fellowship, the role will include research training and mentorship within the IWGB.
The role is based in London and we can currently offer a mix of remote working and space to work in the IWGB’s London office. It is expected that the fellow will work at least 28 hours per week. The role will be for 12 months. The researcher will receive an annual (tax-free) stipend of £19,425.
Person specification
We expect the successful candidate to have:
- Willingness to learn about the research process and develop new skills
- Some experience of research, whether practical or through studying
- Understanding of trade union organising and campaigns and the role of research in a trade union context
- Good written and verbal communication skills
We encourage applications from people who have practical research experience, however, this is not essential. Please do not count yourself out if you feel you do not meet all the requirements and let us decide if you meet the criteria, as support will be offered as part of the role.
Duties will include:
- Developing strategic research for organising initiatives and campaigns with IWGB reps, members and staff
- Working with elected officials and branch organisers to understand the research needs of members in different branches
- Leading on producing an IWGB Campaign Report documenting completed campaigns in the union, as well as coordinating sessions with reps, members, and staff to evaluate these
- Dissemination of the findings of the IWGB Report
- Writing a final report by the end of the project reflecting on the research and fellowship
- Any other duties consistent with the post
How to apply:
Download the application form here: Application Form for BANMT
Please send your completed application form with the subject “Strategic Campaign Researcher application” to apply(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)amielandmelburn.org.uk by midnight on the 4th of September.
The interview process:
We like to be open and up front with what our recruitment process looks like so people know what to expect. Please see below the typical steps in our recruitment process.
Review candidates
Once the advertisement has been taken down, a shortlist of candidates will be selected by the hiring committee to proceed to the next steps. All candidates will be informed of their application outcome within two weeks of the closing date, whether or not they’re proceeding to the next stage.
Remote interviews
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a panel of trustees and staff from the Barry Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust, as well as an IWGB elected official and/or member of staff. Candidates will be interviewed by the same panel to ensure consistency.
Following these interviews, it is possible that there will be a second stage of interviews.
Offer stage
The hiring committee will convene with the goal of selecting and making an offer to one of the candidates. We will offer feedback to people who were interviewed but not selected.