Technical Research Analyst – Job Description
Background
The Independent Schools Council (ISC) is the umbrella body made up of seven member
Associations* and representing over 1,250 independent schools educating more than 500,000
children. ISC schools are diverse: from well-known boarding schools to non-selective day schools
serving local communities. The great majority of children in UK independent schools are in ISC
schools: ISC therefore speaks for the sector as a whole. ISC is strictly independent of all political
parties and acts in the interests of all children.
A key task for ISC is to provide evidence-based policy advice to government and the public, and
to disseminate accurate information about the sector. Both depend on the output of a high
quality, proactive research team.
Main purpose of job
Reporting directly to the Head of Research, the successful candidate will provide technical
research support covering all aspects of ISC research initiatives. On occasion, support will also be
needed for non-technical research projects.
Person specification
A highly numerate and technical analyst with the ability to work confidently and accurately under
pressure. As well as being proficient with a range of technical software (such as SQL server and
ASP.NET) the successful candidate will also have good written and verbal communication skills,
be highly motivated and be able to gain a quick understanding of ISC’s technical processes.
We are looking for someone who:

has good / advanced SQL skills and can create, maintain and run a variety of database
queries

has good ASP.NET programming skills (C# required) with the ability to develop web
applications in Visual Studio with a database backend in SQL Server

has advanced Excel and data analysis skills

has experience of using Adobe Illustrator to allow creative communication of our
research findings

has experience of Javascript, CSS, HTML and Access
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
is highly numerate and literate with an excellent attention to detail

has good written and verbal communications kills

is highly motivated and proactive

can work well under pressure
Knowledge of our sector is desirable but not essential
Specific responsibilities
*

To work extensively with our vast SQL Server database of Census data. Primarily you
will be producing data analysis for inputting into our annual Census report but you will
also work with this dataset throughout the year on other related research projects as
well as smaller ad hoq research requests

To work accurately under pressure with our SQL Server database of exam result data.
Every August we collate and analyse exam result data from ISC schools. This analysis
has to be produced very quickly as it is published in the press within a week of
release.

To use your ASP.NET programming skills to adapt old and develop new on-line
questionnaires for completion by a range of ISC stakeholders (such as Heads of ISC
schools and parents of ISC pupils).

To analyse results from new questionnaires and present findings to the Head of
research.

To work extensively in Excel to analyse and manipulate datasets.

To update and suggest new infographic ideas so that presentation of our findings
remain fresh and up to date. You will make use of Excel charts but also those
developed in Adobe Illustrator or equivalent software packages (such as the
infographic presented on page 20 of our Census report)

To take the lead on our annual non-technical research project summarising entry
requirements at UK medical schools.

To perform regular SQL server database maintenance

To manage temporary staff during busy periods.

To work on other research tasks as required.
The member Associations comprise The Girls' Schools Association (GSA), Headmasters' & Headmistresses' Conference (HMC),
Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), Independent Schools Association (ISA), The Society of Heads, Association of
Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS) and the Independent Schools' Bursars Association (ISBA).
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Other details
Salary: £35,000 p.a.
Contract Type: Permanent full time
Closing data for applications: Sunday 6th March
Interviews: 1st Round 9th & 11th March, 2nd round 14th March
Office hours: 9am-5pm, plus additional hours in busy periods as required.
Workplace: ISC is a small organisation, with an open and friendly working environment,
based near Victoria.
To apply please send your C.V. and cover letter to recruitment@isc.co.uk
*
The member Associations comprise The Girls' Schools Association (GSA), Headmasters' & Headmistresses' Conference (HMC),
Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), Independent Schools Association (ISA), The Society of Heads, Association of
Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS) and the Independent Schools' Bursars Association (ISBA).
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