Job Description

Description

We are looking for a highly talented individual to join our Access, Learning and Outcomes Directorate as an Evaluation & Impact Officer.

The purpose of this role is to support the development and delivery of a robust, transparent, outcome-focused Evaluation and Monitoring Framework for the SFC funded National Schools Programme. The role holder will work closely with both the Access, Learning and Outcome Directorate, the Corporate Services Directorate and our NSP Partners.



This role is fixed term for up to 12 months.

Key Responsibilities

Support the development and delivery of an evaluation and monitoring framework for the National Schools Programme (NSP) and associated resources, guidance, and training. With the assistance of a short-life taskforce (see below) develop a consistent: Data collection methodology including establishing metrics and indicators of success for reporting annual activity and assessing impact. Pre- and post-intervention evaluation tool for use with NSP participants. Working with relevant colleagues, organise and establish a collaborative short-life taskforce of external and internal stakeholders (approx. 6-8 people) to co-create the evaluation and monitoring framework for NSP annual reporting. Engage regularly with NSP delivery partner leads as the frontline service providers and users of the Framework, alongside SFC. Liaise with the SFC Evaluation Team to ensure development of an NSP evaluation and monitoring framework is in alignment with SFC evaluation practices. Work with the SFC Data and Analytics team to identify opportunities to more effectively use existing data sets to support monitoring and evaluation of the NSP. Draft and disseminate progress updates on the framework internally and externally to a variety of audiences using engaging, insightful and influential methods. Support in delivering training based on these materials to NSP partners. Attend and contribute to relevant committees and working groups with internal and external stakeholders, including the NSP Strategic Advisory Group. Identify and be committed to professional development, undertaking role-related training and development to ensure continued high standards of delivery.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

EssentialExperience using evidence, research, evaluation and analysis to interpret, present and communicate insight and influence change. Experience developing evaluation frameworks and/or monitoring and evaluation plans. Knowledge and experience of quantitative and qualitative research techniques, such as data analysis, interviews, focus groups, surveys and case studies. Sound judgement and critical thinking skills to ensure that outputs are evidence based and address the key issues and a commitment to quality, including accuracy in attention to detail and proofreading work. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including the capacity to analyse, understand and respond to complex issues in an appropriate manner. Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills including an ability to build relationships, engage, consult and influence at all levels. Experience of facilitating stakeholder engagement sessions such as workshops. Ability to work under pressure and flexibly to manage a range of priorities, alert to opportunities for innovation and to respond positively to change. Experience working independently and in a team with the ability and willingness to work collaboratively. Good IT skills and an ability to use software such as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Teams.
DesirableEducated to degree level or equivalent or possess relevant professional experience. Experience commissioning and working with external consultants. Familiar with statistical and/ or survey software packages and PowerBI or other data visualisation tools. Familiar with legislation relating to data governance Experience of developing training materials and delivering training.

Terms and Benefits

Normal full-time hours of work are 35 per week. We will consider flexible working arrangements. A flexi-time system is in operation.


Annual leave entitlement of 26.5 days pro-rata, rising to 30 days pro-rata after 2 years' continuous service. Public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro-rata.


A flexible approach to hybrid working, giving you flexibility to work from home anywhere in the UK for some of the time while also maintaining regular in-person contact with colleagues.


Annual pay review: approved within the framework of the Scottish Government's Public Sector Pay Policy and negotiated with our recognised trade union, Unite. Salaries are reviewed annually in April for employees who commence employment prior to 1 October in the preceding year.


Eligibility to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme. With its low member contribution rates and generous employer contributions, this gives you a secure, inflation-proof pension for life with no investment uncertainty. Details of contribution rates together with further details of the pension benefits are available on the Civil Service Pensions website. There is also the option of a Partnership pension account.


Support for continuous professional development: as a part of SFC, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for continuous learning and professional development. Civil Service-Learning curriculum has thoughtfully designed to cater to various learning preferences, allowing employees to engage in a manner that best suits their needs. All our educational resources are conveniently accessible through the CSL website.


Support for health and wellbeing, including generous occupational sick pay, free access to confidential advice and support through our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, Special Leave (paid and unpaid), a contribution to learning outside work through our Lifelong Learning Fund, free winter flu vaccination, and access to occupational health support.


We provide support to SFC employees with Volunteering Days.


Support for travel to and from work, including a salary sacrifice cycle loan scheme, cycle storage and shower facilities, an interest-free loan for bus or rail season tickets and free office car parking for employees on a first-come basis.


Although most salaried roles are advertised as full time positions (35 hours a week), we are happy to discuss part-time or compressed hours to suit a candidates circumstances. We also operate a flexible working scheme to work around a candidate's other commitments such as caring responsibilities.



We will consider secondment applications for most salaried fixed-term or temporary positions and in many cases also for salaried permanent positions. If you are interested in applying on a secondment basis and this option is not explicitly mentioned in the job advert, please contact recruitment@sfc.ac.uk for further information.

About Scottish Funding Council

We are the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council, more commonly known as the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).



We are Scotland's tertiary education and research authority and our purpose is to sustain a world-leading system of tertiary education, research and innovation that enables students to flourish, changes lives for the better, and supports social, economic and environmental wellbeing and prosperity.

We do this by investing around 2 billion of public money to deliver:Tertiary learning and teaching. Skills and apprenticeships. Student support and participation. Research, innovation and knowledge exchange. Data collection and dissemination. National quality assurance and enhancement processes. Capital and digital infrastructure for the sector. Strategic change, responsive provision and research priorities.
As a non-departmental public body established by the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005, we are directly accountable to Scottish Government Ministers and the Scottish Parliament. We work across many government portfolios and are sponsored by the Lifelong Learning Directorate.

We hold colleges, universities and other funded bodies to account for their delivery of required outcomes. We are also the statistical authority for colleges, and work closely with the UK-wide Higher Education Statistical Authority (HESA), to provide data and statistics for government, decision-makers, and the wider public.

We work in partnership with a wide range of partners and bodies, including those we fund, across all aspects of our remit.

General information for applicants for SFC roles

You must already be eligible to work in the UK to apply for these roles.

SFC do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skills Worker License and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.



We are pleased to support applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, socio-economic background, gender, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, as well as those who have skills in Scottish Gaelic or British Sign Language, who have the right skills for the job.


We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and actively encourage interviews through the scheme.


Further information about SFC is available on our website Scottish Funding Council home page (sfc.ac.uk). Additional information about our recruitment process can be found at Recruitment FAQs | Scottish Funding Council Careers (sfc.ac.uk).