Evaluation Managing Officer

The IFS is seeking an outstanding Evaluation Managing Officer to manage the experimental evaluation of a pan-London programme to reduce youth violence, in partnership with the Anna Freud Centre, the London Innovation and Improvement Alliance and the London Violence Reduction Unit.

 1. About IFS

The IFS is Europe’s leading independent microeconomic research institute. Our goal is to promote effective economic and social policies by better understanding how policies affect individuals, families, businesses and the government’s finances. Researchers at IFS conduct high quality empirical research, which has gained a worldwide reputation for academic rigour. Our remit and expertise cover important topics such as education, health, public finances, retirement, consumer behaviour, overseas development, tax, inequality and poverty.  We communicate our findings widely, impacting upon the policy debate, the media and policymakers.

 2. The role

The IFS is leading the evaluation of a new programme aimed at reducing youth violence across all Local Authorities of London. After conducting a pilot trial of the programme, the IFS is now leading a two-year efficacy trial, involving c.  2000 young people age 11-18 and 500 youth workers.  The project and its evaluation are funded by the Youth Endowment Fund.

This role centres on delivering the efficacy trial of this programme. The evaluation managing officer will work closely with, and report to, Dr. Sarah Cattan (Associate Director at IFS), Professor Imran Rasul (Professor of Economics at UCL and IFS Research Director) and Professor Monica Costa Dias (Professor of Economics at University of Bristol and IFS Deputy Research Director).

This is an exciting and varied position combining rigorous, policy-relevant research and analysis, stakeholder liaison, and strategic project management. Depending on the successful candidate’s background and interests, there is scope to participate in other evaluations of interventions aimed at reducing youth violence and other research projects on youth crime and justice.

3. Main Duties

Research management

• Oversee the collection of survey data. Develop processes and systems to assure data quality

•  Clean, compile, and analyse quantitative survey and administrative data to evaluate the programme and its implementation

• Prepare for and conduct future rounds of randomisation in the trial

• Ensure implementation issues are dealt with promptly to ensure the rigor of the evaluation

• Work with team to ensure ethical approvals are obtained and processes are followed to uphold ethical standards (e.g. safeguarding procedures) 

• Build strong relationships with a wide range of research, governmental and non-governmental partners and data collection agencies

Project management

• Develop realistic and implementable project plans and ensure that all project activities progress according to evaluation, implementation and funders timelines

• Communicate effectively with funder and implementation partners, draft narrative reports and ensure the timely submission of all project milestones and deliverables

• Prepare reports for funding organizations and partners on delivery of intervention and evaluation

• Coordinate project communication, liaison and engagement activities and work with IFS researchers to explain research methods and disseminate research findings

 Dissemination and impact

• Contribute to the development and drafting of research outputs such as briefing notes and working papers

• Work with team to communicate the findings of analyses to policymakers and other key stakeholders

• Seek out opportunities to build on analysis undertaken to provide tools, resources, explainers and other outputs that can benefit wider audiences

• Disseminate the findings of research projects to other researchers, the policy community, and potentially the media.

3. Person Specification

 Essential qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master’s degree in economics, applied public policy, or a relevant social science subject, and demonstrably strong economic reasoning.

• An in-depth understanding of quantitative research methods and evaluation design, including randomised control trials (RCTs)

• Experience of managing data collection activities, including developing and piloting survey instruments, coordinating ethical approval, overseeing data collection processes and assuring the quality of data

• The ability to effectively manage complex projects, including outlining project objectives, planning work in a structured and systematic manner in alignment with the stated objectives, assessing progress and making changes to project plans to reflect changing timelines and realities.

• The ability to outline project objectives and to plan work in a structured and systematic manner in alignment with the stated objectives, assessing progress and making changes to project plans to reflect changing timelines and realities

• Strong quantitative and data analysis skills; experience of working with large and complex administrative datasets and in the use of electronic data collection platforms; and proficient in the use of STATA and/or R

• The ability to communicate effectively and confidently at all levels and to different audiences, and to work closely with diverse project stakeholders, including academics, donors and governmental and non-governmental partners

• The ability to work proactively and on own initiative, appropriately drawing on support from a wide network, and sharing insights with a broader team of colleagues

• The willingness to combine strategic project management with a hands-on approach to day-to-day challenges

• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills and a strong attention to detail

• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively with a wide range of eternal stakeholders, including government partners and researchers.

• Well-developed writing skills, including the ability to explain complex economic ideas in plain language

• The ability to think creatively, work independently and take initiative to promote successful project outcomes

• A willingness to maintain the highest standards of intellectual rigour and objectivity and to inform policy through rigorous evidence generation.

Desirable

• An understanding of local and national policy to tackle youth offending

• Previous experience managing a large randomized controlled trial.

4. Start date and location

The successful candidate will ideally start in August 2023. The post is based at IFS’s offices in Central London.

5. Salary and contract information

The initial contract is on a fixed-term basis for 24 months, with the possibility of extension subject to funding. The successful candidate will be paid a salary in the range of £40,000-60,000 per annum, based on experience and skills. This position is a full-time role, but we would consider flexible arrangements (part-time, job share) for the right candidate.

 6. Application Process

Interested candidates should submit as one file, a CV and a (maximum) 2-page covering letter outlining how your qualifications, skills and experience match those outlined in the Person Specification.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

 Any offer of employment is subject to the eligibility to work in the UK. The role is eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, and the IFS will support the application for relevant candidates.

 7. IFS Commitment to Diversity

We aim to foster a respectful and inclusive environment, in which people from all backgrounds feel welcome and valued. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, and flexible working arrangements wherever possible, so that staff can work in ways that suit their personal circumstances. Read more here.

 8. Personal Data Disclaimer

IFS will manage this recruitment process. Details of the IFS's privacy policy can be found here.