Research and Evaluation Manager

Role:

•    Design and commission or deliver complex programmes of primary research, managing relationships and contracts with external research providers and taking responsibility for budgets.
•    Use qualitative and quantitative research techniques to design, build and deliver research projects.
•    Carry out analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and present the findings in a variety of formats, tailored to different audiences at all levels of seniority.
•    Develop the annual research programme and oversee its delivery.
•    Manage the research budget.
•    Advise staff across the organisation to implement their own research and analysis projects.
As a member of the External Affairs and Insight Directorate you will be expected to:
•    Lead large scale and high-profile projects and events, working autonomously with little day-to-day oversight, and deliver on time and in budget.
•    Own and manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, identifying opportunities to work collaboratively, including commissioning, and managing suppliers and agencies.
•    Communicate clearly and provide expert advice and briefings to senior internal and external stakeholders, including the Ombudsman, the Board, senior civil servants, or journalists at national media, tailoring your message and style accordingly.
•    Write and prepare copy and briefings for a range of audiences and engage across channels, for example: media releases, briefings, reports, Board papers, editorial, leaflets, website content and social media.
•    Continuously seek to protect and enhance PHSO's reputation and identify opportunities to promote our service, improve understanding of our role, and engage target audiences in our work.
•    Monitor events or activities and provide expert advice and insight to support strategic decision-making in a timely fashion.
•    Lead and manage change in own area and across PHSO, identifying best practice externally and adopting internally, where appropriate.
•    Participate in learning and development activity and professional development, including sharing knowledge and expertise with the department and wider organisation to help support the development and promotion of PHSO's work.
•    Analyse complex data, extract key insights and messages to share with senior internal and external stakeholders.
•    Evaluate all projects to ensure effectiveness and improve processes and delivery.

The Successful Applicant

Essential Criteria:
•    Excellent knowledge of different qualitative and quantitative research, evaluation, and analysis methods.
•    Excellent qualitative and quantitative analysis skills.
•    Excellent communication skills, including verbal and written, and the ability to present complex information simply and concisely.
•    Able to support and train colleagues.
•    IT literate with advanced Microsoft Office skills (particularly Excel) and knowledge of statistical analysis tools (e.g., SPSS).
•    Experience of analysing complex written material and identifying and summarising key issues clearly.
•    Proven planning and organisational skills, including an ability to manage multiple projects and conflicting priorities effectively.
•    Good problem-solving skills.
•    Designing and delivering research and evaluation projects successfully.
•    Analysing large qualitative and quantitative data sets.
•    Presenting research findings and key messages effectively to colleagues at all levels of seniority.
•    Influencing, building, and sustaining external and internal relationships to achieve results.

Desirable Criteria:

•    Membership of a recognised research and/or evaluation professional body.
•    Sound knowledge of people management skills and processes.
•    Managing budgets successfully.
•    Managing contracts with external suppliers, such as research agencies.
•    Being responsible for the quality of other people's work and providing constructive feedback.
•    Educated to degree level or equivalent or have equivalent work-based experience.

What's on Offer

•    Salary: £40,978
•    Civil Service Pension scheme (minimum 26.6% employer contribution)
•    30-day holiday entitlement, plus 2.5 extra statutory holidays on top
•    Flexitime: Core hours between 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-16.00
•    Extra 2 days of Flexi-leave each month for additional hours that have been accrued
•    Access to a wide variety of internal and external wellbeing support, 24/7 assistance programmes and health advice
PHSO is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and welcomes applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds. They are also a Disability Confident organisation.

Should you wish to access the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) or require any reasonable adjustments through the process please contact the lead recruiter to discuss your needs before the advert closes.

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV detailing your experience that best fits the essential criteria outlined above.

PLEASE NOTE: We can only consider applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK.