Research Associate / Project Researcher – Domestic Abuse Inclusivity and Protection
Research Associate / Project Researcher – Domestic Abuse Inclusivity and Protection
WHAG is a leading charity delivering quality support services to women, men and their families who are affected by domestic abuse, homelessness, and young parents across the of Northwest England. Improving the safety and life opportunities of the people who use our services and supporting them in their recovery.
We support the people we work with to overcome the experiences they have had. We empower them to build up the skills and resources they need to take control of their own lives, access a tenancy of their own and maintain a quality of life in the long term. We give them the information they need to make positive choices about their futures.
As well as delivering courses to our staff WHAG delivers Healthy relationship training to employers and schools to assist in the education and prevention of Domestic abuse.
Our Vision - To support and empower vulnerable women and those affected by domestic abuse
Our Mission - End Domestic Abuse, Homelessness, and relationship breakdown.
Our Values - Empowerment, Choice, Change, Strength
Guiding Principles - Our guiding principles help define how we will act at all times through the development and delivery of WHAG in the future
WHAG has a strong values base, embedding, empowerment, choice, strength and change into our organisation. We are looking for staff that can deliver person-centred, trauma informed services, are innovative, trustworthy, can do, self-motivated and excellent at all times, so it is important that you are as passionate about these principles as we are.
JOB DESCRIPTION
| Job Title: | Research Associate / Project Researcher – Domestic AbuseInclusivity and Protection |
| Reports to: | HOO and ulimately the CEO |
| Location | Rochdale (with hybrid/flexible options) |
| Responsible for | Bridging the gap: inclusive safety for hidden survivors |
| Date Reviewed | June 2026 |
Overall Aim
WHAG is seeking a meticulous and empathetic Researcher to lead a vital project aimed at redefining and improving domestic abuse (DA) services for marginalised communities (including LGBTQ+ and individuals aged 60+).
• Moving beyond reactive support, this project focuses on proactive protection and the co-production of an Inclusive Service Report and Roadmap. The successful candidate will bridge the gap between academic rigor and communitybased, trauma-informed research, ensuring the voices of those with lived experience directly shape future safety frameworks.
This role offers a unique opportunity to apply academic research methodologies to achieve immediate, tangible social justice outcomes. You will not just be documenting systemic issues; you will be actively designing the net that catches vulnerable people before they fall through the cracks.
Requirements
Current Enrolment: Registered Ph.D. candidate or advanced master’s student in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Public Health, or a related Social Science discipline.
Research Background: Proven experience in conducting mixed-methods research, with a strong emphasis on qualitative thematic analysis and trauma-informed interviewing
Key tasks and accountabilities
1. Research Design & Qualitative Analysis
Focus Group Facilitation: Design and lead 8 hybrid focus groups with survivors and community consultants, ensuring a culturally safe environment.
Thematic Analysis: Conduct rigorous thematic analysis of qualitative data from focus groups to identify systemic barriers and hidden survivor journeys.
Case Studies: Author comprehensive case studies and narrative reports that humanise data and highlight intersectional vulnerabilities.
Co-Production Management: Oversee the paid remuneration model for 40+ community consultants, ensuring ethical engagement and trust-building.
2. Quantitative Data Management
System Tracking: Utilise WHAG’s case management system (Oasis) alongside custom project trackers to monitor demographic reach across Rochdale townships.
Metrics Evaluation: Collect and analyse engagement levels, workshop attendance, and resource distribution metrics.
Survey Analysis: Design, administer, and analyse pre- and post-session Likert scale surveys to measure shifts in participant confidence and service accessibility.
3. Stakeholder Collaboration & Training Integration
Cross-Sector Workshops: Support the delivery of 3 partner workshops aimed at training the "eyes and ears" of the borough (e.g., Age UK, primary care providers, Rochdale council homelessness services, LGBT services).
Safeguarding Next-Gen: Collaborate closely with the Children and Young People (CYP) workers to co-develop specialised toolkits, addressing professional isolation and breaking the cycle of violence in LGBTQ+ and multi-generational families and homes.
4. Reporting & Strategic Output
The Inclusive Roadmap: Synthesise all quantitative and qualitative findings into a definitive, actionable Final Inclusive Roadmap Report.
Strategic Alignment: Ensure findings provide a blueprint for the Rochdale Domestic Abuse Partnership (RDAP) to fully integrate inclusive practices.
Performance Measures & Success Criteria
The researcher will be directly responsible for tracking and proving the efficacy of the project through the following metrics:
| Metric Type | Targets & Outputs |
| Direct Outputs | 3 partner workshops; 8 (in person and digital) focus groups; 40+remunerated community consultants; 1 final report. |
| Short-TermOutcomes | Measurable increase in awareness among 15+ partner organisationsregarding marginalised DA needs. |
| Long-TermImpactIndicators | Increased referrals for LGBTQ+ and older survivors; reduceddisengagement rates; integration of practices into RDAP. |
Responsibilities shared with all staff
• To ensure that the values and principles underlying WHAG’s services are maintained and developed.
To participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal and help in identifying your own job related development and training needs.
• To work at times other than office hours to attend meetings, participate in networks, fundraising events and ensuring that the service is accessible.
• To undertake any other duties that may be required which are appropriate to you role
To work at times other that office hours to attend meetings, participate in networks, fundraising events and ensuring that the service is accessible.
To be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Person Specification
The Research Associate / Project Researcher will have:
| Experience and knowledge of | Essential | Desirable |
| Ethical & Sensitive Communication: Ability to engage safelyand empathetically with vulnerable demographics, specificallythe LGBTQ+ community, individuals aged 60+, and children. | X | |
| Technical Proficiency: Experience handling case managementsoftware, tracking databases, and statistical/qualitative analysistools (e.g., NVivo, SPSS, or Excel tools). | X | |
| Collaborative Writing: Ability to translate complex social datainto accessible, high-impact policy reports and practical toolkits. | X | |
| Knowledge of the Rochdale borough and its specificdemographic townships. | X | |
| Understanding of the intersection between domestic abuse,elder abuse, and housing/homelessness sectors. | X |
| Principle Terms and Conditions | |
| Salary:Actual Salary: | Position Type: Part-Time / Fixed-Term Contract (ldeal for Ph.D. orAdvanced Master's StudentsFTE wage £37,761 pro rata£12,587 |
| Hours Per Week: | 12 hrs per week (negotiable on hours per week must complete 624hours across the length of the contract) |
| Position Type: - | Part-Time / Fixed-Term Contract (Ideal for Ph.D. or Advanced Master'sStudents |
| DBS | Valid DBS |
| Car user | Regular travelling is required. The role holder must have access to acar. Business mileage is payable from an agreed base.The role holder must possess a full current driving license, roadfund license and business use Insurance and MOT, providing proof when requested. The role holdermust ensure the car is maintained and in a roadworthy condition. |
| Benefits | |
| Pension: | WHAG operates an auto enrolment pension plan, which all employeesare enrolled after 3 month probation period via NEST. WHAGcontribute to this pension in line with legislation. |
| Health Plan | WHAG operate a health plan for all employees after completion of theirprobationary period.For example this includes:Free eye testingAccess to counsellingReduced gym membership |
| Bike to workscheme | WHAG operate a bike to work scheme. |
| Tech Scheme | WHAG operate a salary sacrifice tech scheme.This includes all products from Curry's |
| Christmas savingscheme | Saving from January – November |
| Flexi for non-rotaposts | (Core hours 10.00-3.30) |
| Holiday Purchase | One week |