Evaluation Delivery Partner

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen to play a pivotal role in strengthening the delivery of evaluation at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as part of our centrally positioned Central Evaluation Function.

As highlighted by the National Audit Office review of government provision and use of evaluation, there is an ongoing need for improving evaluation capability in government to deliver robust evaluations that improve impact and cost effectiveness of policies and programmes.

We are seeking an Evaluation Delivery Partner to join our Evaluation and Insight Team, reporting directly to the Head of Evaluation and Insight.

You will be assigned to work in our highest profile and priority activities such as the Economic Statistics Plan, the Business Surveys Transformation Programme or Census. You will provide advice, guidance and consultancy to stakeholders at all levels to develop and embed evaluation standards and best practices.

Your valuable consultancy services will be integral to helping programmes set up and run their evaluations. Alongside this you will have opportunities to develop your skills by attending conferences and training to stay ahead of new methodologies and sharing knowledge to upskill colleagues and raise evaluation capability at ONS.

You may also support the members of the Central Evaluation Function to deliver their remit. This could include assessing research reports, drafting guidance and critiquing Monitoring and Evaluation plans.

You will be a skilled social researcher, expert in outcome/impact evaluation and proficient at developing strong working relationships. There will be a requirement to work closely with senior leaders across the organisation, providing support and advice to inform decision making and working in partnership with our subject matter experts and cross government groups such as the Evaluation Taskforce and Cross Government Evaluation Group to generate useful and actionable evidence.

We are looking for a motivated and skilled individual who can demonstrate strong analytical and project management skills alongside the ability to manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment, who is passionate about providing leadership and support to help the delivery of high-quality strategic programme evaluation.

As an Evaluation Delivery Partner you'll join the Government Social Research Profession - GOV.UK

Job description

Responsibilities

• Utilise and apply knowledge of social research methods and techniques to conduct in-house research and guide external commissions
• Provide advice to analysts across ONS on effective communication and dissemination of analysis
• Understand project & programme evaluation and research support requirements and building plans to meet these requirements
• Lead on the design of evaluations appropriate to the programme’s lifecycle or stage, using appropriate evaluation methodologies. Manage development and approval of the monitoring and evaluation plan over time
• Identify and manage stakeholder relationships and need for senior level support. Manage internal and external relationships as appropriate.
• Identify and monitor risks and issues associated with the evaluations undertaken. Develop mitigating actions and escalate as appropriate.
• Providing sound, timely advice to colleagues across ONS to ensure that high quality analysis activities are identified and promoted, and best practice guidelines are widely implemented
• Provide support, guidance and coaching for the programme teams to aid the implementation of the ONS Evaluation Strategy. Show commitment to personal development. Promote effective individual and team performance in an inclusive environment.
• Lead and develop existing networks to share good practice widely across ONS
• Embed continuous improvement into team’s work

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Please demonstrate how your skills and experience meet all the role's essential criteria in your Personal Statement.

• Experience of leading and managing research projects or programmes ideally in a national or local policy environment.
• Proven ability to use analytical concepts and techniques appropriate to social science research.
• Substantial experience of interpreting findings, drawing appropriate conclusions and recommendations from the evidence, and communicating these clearly and concisely to influence stakeholder at all levels.
• Experience of outcome/ impact, value for money or process evaluation ideally in a national or local policy environment.
• Strong stakeholder management experience.

Qualifications

To be eligible to apply for this Government Social Research (GSR) Grade 7 role you need to fulfil the criteria of one of the following three routes:

(i) Qualification route
•Hold, or expect to get during this academic year, a degree (undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2 or postgraduate degree in addition to an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2) in a social science related subject with sufficient social research content.

A qualifying social science subject is one which contains substantial social research methods training comprising at least 30% of modules or module credits in the course. This must include quantitative research methods, including the following elements of quantitative research methods:
-Research design
-Data collection, e.g. questionnaire design, sampling, weighting
-Data analysis, e.g. statistical analysis

It must also include at least three of the following:
-Systematic literature reviews
-Qualitative methods, including research design, data collection (e.g. interviewing, focus groups, ethnography), data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis)
-Interpretation of data and presentation of results, provision of recommendations or conclusions
-Study design, hypothesis formation, testing and evaluation
-Application of ethics to research

•Have at least two years of successful experience of working in applied social research in which strong analytical skills have been clearly demonstrated (for example in market research, government, applied academia or as a data analyst). Please provide evidence of this in the Job History section of the application form. This can include work towards successful completion of a post graduate qualification with a strong research or research methods component. However, you would need to provide evidence that such experience includes leading a team and carrying out research projects for customers.

(ii) Badged route
•Already be a member of the Government Social Research profession
•Have at least two years of successful experience of working in applied social research in which strong analytical skills have been clearly demonstrated (for example in market research, government, applied academia or as a data analyst). Please provide evidence of this in the Job History section of the online application form. This can include work towards successful completion of a post graduate qualification with a strong research or research methods component. However, you would need to provide evidence that such experience includes leading a team and carrying out research projects for customers.

(iii) Experience route
•Hold, or expect to get during this academic year, a degree (undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2 or postgraduate degree in addition to an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2) in any subject or hold a degree equivalent (for example, an advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS). Please provide evidence of this by completing the qualifications part of the online application form.
•Have at least four years of successful experience of working in applied social research in which strong analytical skills have been clearly demonstrated. Social research experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialised research team. To enter the Government Social Research Profession through the experience route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills in the Job History section of the online application form. This must include quantitative research methods, including the following elements of quantitative research methods:
-Research design
-Data collection, e.g. questionnaire design, sampling, weighting
-Data analysis, e.g. statistical analysis

It must also include at least three of the following:
-Systematic literature reviews
-Qualitative methods, including research design, data collection (e.g. interviewing, focus groups, ethnography), data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis)
-Interpretation of data and presentation of results, provision of recommendations or conclusions
-Study design, hypothesis formation, testing and evaluation
-Application of ethics to research

You also need to provide evidence that such experience includes leading a team and carrying out researching projects for customers. Please provide evidence of this in the Job History section of the application form.

These are the qualification requirements of the GSR profession as outlined in the GSR Eligibility Guidance

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Knowledge of research methods, techniques & application of these.
• Identifying research needs, designing & specifying research.
• Please see the Principal Research Officer information attached for further guidance GSR Competency Framework

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £56,861, Office for National Statistics contributes £16,472 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefits with other departments, whilst also having our own unique offerings to support our valued colleagues across the organisation.

Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that our careers site will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture.

Inclusion & Accessibility

At ONS we are always looking to attract the very best people from the widest possible talent pool, and we are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. As a Disability Confident Leader we’re committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.

As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, please contact the recruitment team in the first instance.

If you would like an accessible version of any of the attachments or recruitment documents below or linked to in this advert, please contact the recruitment team who will be happy to assist.

ONS are committed to flexible ways of working that support a healthy work-life balance. ONS has already considered how this job could be right sized for applicants working flexibly and we are happy to explore options with you about working part time, in a job share or flexibly, in line with our hybrid working policies.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Security Clearance

For ONS the requirement to eligible for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.

At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:

• Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
• UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
• Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• Security Services records

ONS can offer visa sponsorship as part of this recruitment campaign. However, applicants must still hold valid right to work in the UK at the point employment commences.

To work at the ONS candidates must meet both UK right to work and security clearance requirements.

If you are unsure whether you meet the appropriate right to work or security clearance eligibility criteria, please refer to the guidance on Gov.uk or contact the recruitment email provided in the advert before applying. Failure to meet these requirements will result in your application being rejected and employment offers being withdrawn.

Application 3-stage Process

Stage 1: Application

The assessment process at the application stage will be based on your work history, qualifications, experience and personal statement. It is important that your application is tailored to highlight the skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role.

A personal statement is required at application stage, the maximum word count allowed is 1250, which should not be exceeded. You should provide evidence for each essential skill criterion listed in the person specification. As these criteria are scored, it is advisable to give clear examples for each one, including the impact of your actions, ideally utilising the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Please note that Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage of the application process.

Stage 2: Knowledge Test

Candidates whose application passes sift will be invited to complete the GSR Skills Knowledge Test online by the test provider Tazio.

The invitation to take the online test will be sent directly by Tazio to the email address you have provided in your application. The GSR Knowledge test is a timed exercise of 30 minutes. An example GSR knowledge Test can be accessed through this link >GSR_Example_Knowledge_Test_Jan_2024.pdf

Your application will not progress to interview stage if you fail to pass the GSR Knowledge Test.

Please note access to the test cannot be made via your Civil Service Jobs application centre as it is provided by Tazio.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to complete the Knowledge Test, for example needing extra time, please contact our team by 20th May for us to pass your requirements to Tazio, the test provider. Please email us at Social.Research.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk quoting Ref 459814 Evaluation Delivery Partner GSR Knowledge Test reasonable adjustment request.

If you are already GSR profession badged or if have successfully passed the GSR Knowledge Test within the last 12 months you do not need to complete the GSR Skills Knowledge Test.

If you have successfully passed the GSR Knowledge Test in the last 12 months please tell us otherwise you may be sent an invite to take the test. Please email us at Social.Research.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk quoting Ref 459814 Evaluation Delivery Partner GSR Knowledge Test already passed and email us with evidence of your pass as confirmed by Tazio.

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In instances where a high number of applications are received the sift pass mark may be adjusted such that candidates will be invited to interview based on merit order i.e. those with the highest scores.

Stage 3: Interview

If invited to interview you will be assessed against the GSR technical skills, which are set out in the advert’s Technical Skills section and align to the GSR Technical Framework.

You will also be assessed against the Civil Service Behaviours, which are set out in the advert’s Behaviours section and align to the Civil Service Success Profiles.

You will be required to provide a 5 minute presentation as part of your interview. The presentation topic details will be emailed to shortlisted candidates one week prior to interview to allow for preparation time. The presentation will assess candidates against the GSR technical skill "Identifying research needs, designing & specifying research".

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Important Dates:

Advert closes: Monday 18th May

Sift results: w/c 25th May

GSR Knowledge Test available: Thursday 28th May to Wednesday 3rd June

Invite to interview: w/c 8th June

Interviews during w/c 15th June interviews

Dates are subject to change.

For the full terms and conditions of the post, please see attachment.

Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.

A reserve list of successful candidates may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Social Research Recruitment team
• Email : social.research.recruitment@ons.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : social.research.recruitment@ons.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact recruitment.complaints@ons.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission

Attachments

2721 Advert 1A Permanent - ONS London Inclusive v1-00 (8) Opens in new window (pdf, 83kB)