JOB DESCRIPTION: Research and Evaluation Manager

Reports to Director of Policy, Voice and Membership

Responsible for National Impact and Evaluation Officer, Policy and Research Officer, Membership and Information Officer and consultants

Location Bristol with travel to London

Salary On an incremental scale guided by the NJC Scale Points 39 – 43 £33,200 to £36,713 per annum (under review)

Women’s Aid is the national charity for women and children working to end domestic abuse. We empower survivors by keeping their voices at the heart of our work, listening and responding to their needs. We are a federation of over 220 organisations who provide more than 300 local lifesaving services to women and children across the country. Over the past forty years Women’s Aid has been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic violence and abuse through practice. Our campaigns achieve change in policy, practice and awareness, encouraging healthy relationships and helping to build a future where domestic abuse is no longer tolerated.

Main purpose of role To develop and manage effective systems and frameworks for monitoring and

evaluating Women’s Aid’s work, including for Change that Lasts, Women’s Aid’s new strengths-based, needs-led approach that supports domestic abuse survivors and their children to build resilience, and leads to independence.

Develop, lead, and manage Women’s Aid’s research strategy and programme of policy work, including data collection, analysis and reporting, to support Women’s Aid’s internal learning and policy, campaigns and public affairs work.

To lead the Research and Evaluation Team including all aspects of performance management and team and personal development, the active management of the team budget, and the delivery of high quality, timely activity.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Management and Leadership To lead the development of the evaluation framework for Change that Lasts

and support and manage external evaluations, in consultation with the Director of Policy, Voice and Membership and the Director of Operations.

To lead on the development of planning and evaluation systems for Women’s Aid and train and support staff in using these and other monitoring and evaluation techniques, to analyse the output of evaluations and report findings.

To lead, develop and manage the Women’s Aid Research Strategy and programme of work, ensuring research and reports reflect the concerns and voices of survivors and Women’s Aid’s members.

Lead the development of Women’s Aid’s data systems to make use of new technologies and techniques and ensure optimum use of data collected.

To develop and manage Women’s Aid’s policy programme in consultation with the Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager and Director of Policy, Voice and Membership.

To contribute to the preparation of the annual business plan in consultation with the Director of Policy, Voice and Membership, and to monitor and evaluate the success of those targets on an annual cycle.

To ensure efficient and effective internal communication, information flows and to foster co-operation between staff.

To take part at Women’s Aid AGM and Annual conference as required and present regular written reports as necessary.

To manage special short term projects concerned with the development or operation of Women’s Aid as required.

Operational Evaluation, Policy Development and Research To ensure the management and delivery of a programme of research and

policy on violence against women and girls in consultation with the Women’s Aid wider team.

To ensure that policy, practice and relevant legislation on domestic abuse is monitored and that appropriate research is conducted to inform Women’s Aid and its members.

To continually develop the collection and presentation of data to increase its accessibility to, and impact on its audiences.

To ensure the provision of information and advice on domestic abuse to the national network of local Women’s Aid members, relevant agencies and partnerships, as well as Women’s Aid national team.

To ensure the Chief Executive, Executive Management Team and relevant staff are kept up to date with all relevant developments in the field of domestic abuse, and the wider issues of violence against women and girls as relevant.

To write and prepare articles for the Women’s Aid SAFE newsletter providing a radar of up and coming research and policy issues.

To work with the Campaigns and Public Affairs manager to ensure effective engagement on policy and research by Women’s Aid.

LINE MANAGEMENT To carry out management, supervision, appraisal and development of staff in

the Research and Evaluation team to ensure high quality service and achievement of the annual business plan.

To ensure the successful recruitment, induction and initial training of all staff within the Research and Evaluation team.

To manage consultants.

DEPARTMENT BUDGET To ensure proper management of any delegated budgets, participate in

budgeting and financial management as required.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES To maintain clear and adequate records of work done and to produce reports

on work programmes and activities as required by the Chief Executive. To contribute to team meetings and organisational priorities, to prepare and

participate in supervision and appraisal meetings. To take direction on projects and priorities from your line manager, which may

vary from time to time. To oversee the work of other volunteers or temporary support staff as required. To provide back up and support for the management of other staff or to ensure

their tasks are covered when they or their manager is absent (by agreement and if required).

To carry out word-processing, filing, and administrative tasks necessary to comply with the job description.

To assist in the organisation of conferences or events organised by Women’s Aid, if required.

To abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to ensure this is carried out throughout the Charity, and to work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

To be flexible within the broad remit of the post.

OTHER The job description for this post will be reviewed annually to meet

organisational priorities.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: Research and Evaluation Manager

EXPERIENCE Essential Desirable

1 Experience of both qualitative and quantitative social research techniques in a work environment.

X

2 Experience of developing appropriate methodologies for undertaking research.

X

3 Policy development and implementation. X

5 Extensive experience of writing and producing briefings, reports or other information resources.

X

6 Experience of managing team members to deliver against project plans.

X

7 Developing and reviewing business plans, including setting performance measures

X

8 Setting and monitoring budgets X

9 A non-judgmental approach to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse and a clear understanding of the gendered nature of violence against women and girls

X

SKILLS

1 Excellent and proven research and evaluation skills. X

2 Highly developed analytical skills, with the ability to apply creative solutions to complex problems

X

3 Ability to plan and deliver projects within a set timeframe and with clear outputs/outcomes

X

4 Proven IT skills, with experience of developing, maintaining and manipulating large databases and using other analytical tools for research and evaluation purposes.

X

5 Ability to create effective and efficient systems for gathering and analysing complex data.

X

6 Excellent written and report writing skills. X

7 Ability to work on own initiative to meet objectives in a complex, changing environment and to plan, initiate, manage and evaluate projects, to meet project budgets.

X

8 Highly computer literate and proficient in word-processing, spreadsheets and databases, and email technology, preferably in a Windows based environment

X

KNOWLEDGE

1 An understanding of a range of methods for monitoring and evaluation.

X

2 Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.

X

3 Excellent understanding of policy development X4 Knowledge of the issues facing women and children

affected by domestic and sexual violence and in relation to the provision of effective service provision in the VAWG arena

X

5 Knowledge and experience of the voluntary sector X

OTHER

1 Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the aims and objectives of Women’s Aid.

X

2 Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.

X

3 Willingness to travel regularly and work occasional weekends and evenings as required.

X

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS

1 Degree or equivalent relevant experience. X