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Section 2: FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON TO DO THE JOB
Step Nine: Submissions and interviews – what am I looking for?
PIT STOP Equal Opportunities
Your organisation is likely to have its own guidelines on equal opportunities which you will need to observe. However, here are a few key points:
Create a small recruitment sub-committee from your steering group (of between three to five members).
If possible, ensure both genders are represented and there is a mix of ages/experience.
This group should be responsible for both short listing and interviewing candidates.
The criteria against which submissions are assessed should be agreed in advance, common to all and assessments made on paper (via an agreed marking system), signed, dated and kept for future reference (should any dispute arise).
Main questions at interview should be the same for every candidate, though follow-ups and subsidiary questions can be asked to probe further.
As above, candidates should be scored on paper by a common system, the papers signed, dated and kept for future reference.
"Never make a decision solely on the basis of cost…
The most important thing is the consultant’s ability
to think beyond the brief and to inform our thinking...
You’re paying for their time and experience…use them fully"
Commissioner
While every job is different and will have a bespoke brief, the basic qualities you will be looking for, in both the tender and interview, are:
> A thorough understanding of the brief.
> An understanding of the question you want answered and why.
> The skills and experience to find the answers you need.
> Adequate communication skills to express those findings.
> A track record that can be confirmed by references.
> An understanding of the strategic context in which you are operating.
> A sound approach and methodology.
> An ability to do the work within the budget and timescale.
You should also be able to demonstrate that the researcher’s proposed approach to the brief represents value for money.
Any research supplier who has read and considered the brief before submitting a tender will be able to demonstrate these basic qualities. So beyond value for money look for the real differences:
> A genuine excitement and enthusiasm for the project.
> The ability to challenge the brief and suggest alternative approaches.
> The creative flair to add a new dimension to the project without changing its direction or purpose.
For more information see Chapter 4, What to Look for in a Research Proposal, in Socio-Economic Research in the Information Society: A User’s Guide from the RESPECT Project.
Top tip: above all else look for someone you can trust and have a good working relationship with – you need to be able to talk!
"Don’t be intimidated – you’re paying them!
Stick to your guns and find someone you can work with –
it’s a relationship"
Commissioner
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