Here is an example of what a job description may look like for a Head of Evaluation role.

Head of Evaluation job duties and responsibilities #

• Lead, develop and manage the evaluation team, ensuring it is a cohesive team where colleagues feel valued and able to work effectively, and ensure there are clear lines of accountability and responsibility across the team which foster and maintain effective working relationships for the organisation.
• Play an active role in the senior management team of the organization and the decisions it makes
• Lead the effective progress and development of EEF’s evaluation work, supporting the team to commission and manage high-quality evaluations, and working with the Director of Research and other relevant senior parties to shape the organization’s approach to evaluation commissioning
• Prepare papers for, and present proposals for organization-commissioned evaluations to organization’s Grants Committee
• Manage team resources, including building the talent pipeline, overseeing hiring, developing a team work-plan, and deploying staff
• Manage the organization’s relationships with the research community, including managing appointments to and communications with the organizaton’s panel of evaluators, and supporting the co-ordination of evaluator events
• Support Evaluation Managers to set up and monitor commissioned evaluations, serving as an escalation point where problems arise
• Support the team to develop and improve resources to clarify best practice and build the capability of evaluators to deliver high quality evaluations
• Oversee the management of the organization’s data archive and the forthcoming opening of the archive to external researchers
• Work closely with colleagues to ensure that published reports are of high quality and effectively communicate findings to an audience of academics, policymakers, practitioners and the general public
• Convene and organise the Evaluation Advisory Group (EAG) who advise on best practice, standards and relationships with the education research community. A key role for the appointee will be to manage the appointment of a new EAG chair
• Contribute to the operational and strategic development of the organization
• Liaise with other senior team members to advise and support the development of evaluation good practice across the organization

About You #

You must be able to demonstrate the following:

• At least Masters level or equivalent relevant experience in social research techniques, with expertise in quantitative and experimental methods
• Extensive experience in delivering or commissioning research trials and/or mixed-method evaluation projects in education, health or another related field
• Understanding of innovative methods such as quasi-experimental designs and/or nimble trials
• Understanding of scaling strategies and scale-up evaluation approaches
• A track record of driving quality and innovation in an evaluation and research context and of managing change
• Outstanding track record of delivery on collaborative projects requiring multi-disciplinary teams to deliver against tight timelines
• The capacity to prioritise and work across multiple projects, delivering a high volume of quality work to meet deadlines
• A proven track record of leading, motivating and managing the performance and development of a high-performing team, encouraging enterprise in others
• Aptitude for working flexibly and proactively in an ambitious organisation
• Strong organisational and project management skills
• A demonstrated commitment to the aims of the organization
• Exceptional interpersonal and written communication skills, evidenced by close, successful relationship building with stakeholders at all levels (such as practitioners, academics and policy makers)
• The ability and credibility to act as an effective ambassador for the organization at the highest level
• The ability to inspire the confidence, enthusiasm and support of colleagues and decision makers
• A proactive, entrepreneurial approach