About Homeless Link

Homeless Link is the national membership charity for frontline homelessness agencies in England. With more than 750 member organizations, it works to improve homelessness services and influence policy change that helps prevent and end homelessness. The organization supports frontline agencies through research, training, resources, and advocacy, with the goal of ensuring everyone has a safe place to call home and the support needed to sustain it.

The Role

The Research Officer will join Homeless Link’s Policy and Research team, contributing to a range of research activities that inform policy, service development, and practice across the homelessness sector. The role combines longer-term strategic research with responsive consultancy projects and program evaluations, helping to generate evidence that supports better outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

Working closely with colleagues, frontline services, partners, and individuals with lived experience, the successful candidate will collect, analyze, and communicate research findings that influence decision-making throughout the sector.

Key Responsibilities

Research and Evidence Development

• Support the delivery of strategic research projects and consultancy assignments
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative research activities
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data to generate meaningful insights
• Contribute to program evaluations and evidence-gathering initiatives
• Support the development of research outputs that inform policy and practice

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Work with frontline homelessness services, sector partners, and stakeholders
• Engage with people who have lived experience of homelessness to inform research
• Collaborate with the wider Research team on project delivery
• Build positive working relationships that strengthen research quality and impact

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Present research findings in clear and accessible formats
• Support the communication of evidence to policymakers, practitioners, and sector leaders
• Contribute to reports, briefings, and other research publications
• Help ensure research findings drive service improvement and policy development

Requirements

• Foundation in quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to collect, interpret, and communicate evidence effectively
• Interest in applied social research and public policy
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development
• Interest in homelessness, social justice, and evidence-based practice

What They Offer

• Opportunity to contribute to national efforts to prevent and end homelessness
• Experience working on strategic research and program evaluation projects
• Collaborative and supportive Policy and Research team environment
• Meaningful engagement with frontline services and people with lived experience
• Professional development opportunities within applied social research
• Inclusive workplace that welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences

How to Apply

For full details of the position, application requirements, and recruitment process, applicants should download and review the Recruitment Pack available on the Homeless Link careers page and follow the application instructions provided there. Homeless Link particularly welcomes applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, individuals from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, and disabled candidates.