Job Description
Job Title:
Senior Research and Evaluation Officer
Service:
Central Services
Project:
Childcare Services
Reporting to:
Head of Policy and Research
Supervisory responsibilities:
Staff, external consultants and volunteers as assigned
Salary Range:
Grade M: £34,002 - £40,256
Purpose of the Role:
To work with the Head of Policy and Research to ensure the organisation can evidence
‘excellence’ in terms of policy and practice. Primarily achieved by:

Assisting projects and programmes to put in place and carry out appropriate
outcome-focused evaluation processes

Undertaking data analysis and project management on consultancy support for local
authorities around social care as assigned by Head of Coram Consultancy.

Undertaking research and policy work on key issues of importance to Coram

Undertaking external consultancy, incl. research, evaluation and metrics analysis for
local authorities or other voluntary organisations

Supporting Coram’s quality management processes in relation to its service provision.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
Evaluation, research and monitoring
To provide evaluation advice and support to Coram’s projects and programmes, including:

To project manage research, evaluation and consultancy projects as assigned as agreed
with Head of Policy and Research and Head of Coram Consultancy.

Working with practitioners, both internal to Coram and externally, to set frameworks
for evaluation, by designing appropriate monitoring and evaluation frameworks,
including identifying meaningful and measurable objectives, outcome measures and
measurement processes, and supporting staff in implementing them

To contribute towards reporting on Coram’s outcomes and monitoring results, assisting
in drafting quarterly and annual reports

From time to time collecting information from service users (parents, children or young
people) or from professionals, as part of research or evaluation projects

Analysing information collected (using Excel, SPSS or qualitative analysis software as
appropriate)

Writing and editing project evaluation and research reports suitable for a range of
audiences, including summaries in plain language/ accessible for service users, as
required.

To present evaluation, analysis and research findings to internal and external
audiences, including conferences

To set briefs for and oversee evaluation and research projects undertaken by
consultants

To provide and report on information relevant to the development of children’s and
family services from research and policy sources, for example to undertake literature
reviews
To contribute towards Coram’s external evaluation and research consultancy, including:

To contribute to the development of proposals for, and undertaking external research
and evaluation consultancy projects
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
To provide technical advice in the development of external consultancy projects,
including developing evaluation frameworks, metrics and tools to measure success of
projects and processes in fields relevant to Coram’s work

To aid in the preparation of service tenders by developing evaluation and monitoring
frameworks, participation processes and relevant research with children and families
Policy

To support Coram’s public policy profile by preparing briefings on issues, generating
relevant learning from Coram’s own projects and research and drafting responses to
Government consultations

To keep abreast of national policy developments and debates within some defined
areas of Coram’s concerns

To represent the organisation as appropriate in policy advocacy processes and to
assist in the communication of messages from Coram’s research and practice
experience to external audiences
Quality assurance and service user participation

To contribute towards the monitoring and updating of Coram’s core service-focused
policies and procedures and quality assurance processes, ensuring that service
provision colleagues are supported by a sufficient framework of guidance on good
practice

To support the programme to ensure best practice in gathering service user feedback.
Liaison with other departments

To work closely with Head of Consultancy to support improvement work in the field of
children’s social care work with local authorities.

To work closely with practitioners and managers in developing new methodologies
and evaluation systems
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
To work closely with the Safeguarding lead officer and HR in undertaking quality
assurance/policy and procedure review processes

To work closely with Communications and childcare managers and practitioners in
undertaking policy work and with Fundraising and SMT to provide them with evidence
needed in seeking support for Coram’s work
Other duties:

To line manage staff or consultants working within Policy and Research and/or Coram
Consultancy team.

To act within Coram’s policies and procedures

To undertake any other projects as required by the Head of Policy and Research
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Person Specification
Job Title:
Senior Evaluation and Research Officer
Service:
Central Services
Project:
Childcare Services
Reporting to:
Head of Policy and Research
Supervisory responsibilities:
Staff, external consultants and volunteers as assigned
Salary Range:

Grade M: £34,002 - £40,256 per annum inc inner London
Weighting
Demonstrable and relevant experience in evaluation or applied and policy-relevant
research, either in an academic, third sector, public sector, independent or commercial
social research institution

Knowledge of services for Looked after Children.

Extensive experience of quantitative and qualitative analysis for evaluation/ research

Experience of line and project management, with demonstrable ability to deliver projects
and manage staff effectively.

Experience of developing and implementing evaluation frameworks

Ability to make a creative contribution towards Coram’s strategic goals in relation to
development of policy, research and evaluation work

Substantial knowledge and understanding of research and evaluation methodologies and
of issues relevant to UK children’s and family policy

Experience of data collection – experience of engaging with service users (especially
children and young people) an advantage.

Excellent communication skills both written and verbal and to a range of audiences
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
Strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently and to demanding
deadlines

Excellent IT skills – experience of using Excel and/or SPSS analytical software and
qualitative analysis programmes

Ability to work effectively and co-operatively with practitioners and managers

Experience of working in organisations that deliver services to children, young people and
families desirable, particularly in the field of children’s social care.

An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities.
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