The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Senior Monitoring & Evaluation Lead to join its newly established Monitoring & Evaluation team based in the Research Directorate, providing key support in the delivery of the Academy’s strategy.

You will be joining the Academy at an exciting time as we launch our new strategy for 2023-2027. Our three strategic priorities for this period are:

• Strengthening and championing the humanities and social sciences

• Mobilising our disciplines for the benefit of everyone

• Opening up the Academy

To support the success of these strategic priorities the Academy is establishing a new Monitoring & Evaluation team. The Academy recognises the growing importance of capturing, utilising, and visualising data effectively to ensure we can strongly advocate for SHAPE through appropriate monitoring and evaluation of the work we do and support.

You will play a key role in the new Monitoring and Evaluation team in leading the development and implementation of a modern, streamlined approach to the way in which we monitor and evaluate our work. We are looking for dynamic, experienced individuals who are keen to support the development of a new team and be part of the start of a new chapter at the Academy.

You can find out more about the British Academy here, including our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The Senior Monitoring & Evaluation Lead will play a key role in the newly established Monitoring & Evaluation team, currently comprising a Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, and a Senior Data Analyst. Reporting to the Head of Monitoring & Evaluation, you will be based in the research directorate but work across other directorates as well.

You will lead the development and implementation of the Academy’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategies and solutions to enable award level data analysis and reporting across the Academy’s portfolio of funding schemes.

In this role, you will be working with colleagues across the whole Academy. Your specialist expertise will support the Director of Research in introducing a step-change in the organisational approach to evaluation, including establishing monitoring and evaluation processes and systems across the Academy.

You will be responsible for the analysis of data and statistics and for reporting to external and internal audiences including funders and government agencies. 

In this role you will need to establish a good working relationship with colleagues across the Academy and external stakeholders including our funding partners and the SHAPE community.

You will also need to support senior staff in developing and maintaining high level liaisons across government departments, charities and other organisations we partner with. A key part of your work will be to lead on the development of the evidence base for the value of the SHAPE disciplines, including in making cases to our funders, such as government departments.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the Academy’s approach to monitoring and evaluation 

• Realise the development and implementation of the Academy’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategies and solutions, in consultation with senior staff, including the Director of Research, the Heads of Monitoring and Evaluation, International and Research Funding and relevant members of the Academy’s Senior Management Team and senior Fellows (Vice-Presidents). 

• Lead on the design and realisation of suitable processes and systems to enable data analysis and reporting across the Academy’s portfolio of funding schemes.

• In collaboration with the Senior Data Analyst develop tools to aid the visual representation in reports and presentations for external and internal audiences including funders and government agencies. 

• Be a primary point of expertise for colleagues internally and also for the Academy’s external stakeholders on matters related to monitoring and evaluation. 

• Contribute significantly to a culture of evidence-based working helping to grow the capabilities of the Academy and its staff in how monitoring and evaluation can be effectively embedded in the way the Academy works. 

Explore and analyse data in the SHAPE disciplines to generate insights and offer evidence that informs the Academy’s strategic direction and future development 

• In collaboration with the Senior Data Analyst develop regular reporting and analysis of trends to provide actionable insights and evidence for the SHAPE disciplines and the Academy. 

• Work with staff to identify where developments to information management and data systems are needed, to better generate insights and evidence. 

• Provide expert advice and support on data analysis and insights generation for programme design and implementation.  

• Jointly work on the SHAPE Observatory with the lead in the HE policy team and with the SHAPE communications lead

Lead on the development of the evidence base for the value of the SHAPE disciplines, including in making cases to our funders, such as government departments 

• Lead on developing the evidence base for SHAPE impact for our funders, including government departments. 

• Establish appropriate data visualisation approaches to improve wider understanding of the evidence base. 

• Build awareness of evidence in other disciplines to ensure maintenance of best practice in delivery of the Academy’s case for support of the SHAPE disciplines. 

Represent the Academy internally and externally in matters relating to monitoring and evaluation 

• Liaise with staff from government departments to ensure that the Academy’s stakeholder management and liaison needs are fully met in delivery of government monitoring and evaluation requirements.  

• Work with internal and external stakeholders, including members of other Directorates within the Academy, to review data collection, processes and systems that demonstrate the value of the Academy’s funding programmes. 

• Build strong working relationships with colleagues from the other National Academies and funders working in monitoring and evaluation or data analysis to ensure joined up approaches as appropriate and sharing of relevant information. 

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal

• Monitoring & Evaluation team

• Research Directorate staff – Research Funding Team, International Team 

• Director of Research and other members of the SMT 

• Policy Directorate staff

• Vice-Presidents for Research and HE Policy and International (Foreign Secretary) 

External

• Government departments (DSIT, FCDO etc) 

• Other National Academies 

• Other funders (e.g. Leverhulme Trust, etc) 

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively.

• Experience building productive and collaborative relationships with senior colleagues, gaining buy-in and cooperation, and the ability to bring together and motivate people from different parts of a complex organisation 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 

• Professional, confident, open-minded and enthusiastic outlook when dealing with a variety of people internally and externally  

• Confident in networking with colleagues at comparator organisations to share best practice

• Encourages commitment & positivity in self and others

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills.

• Significant experience establishing and managing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and in conducting evaluations and programme reviews

• Extensive experience analysing, modelling and interpreting complex data

• Strong analytical, evaluation design and methodological skills, and ability to establish best fit methods for a broad range of quantitative and qualitative approaches.

• Experience of delivering insights through the creation of KPIs or dashboards, with PowerBI or Tableau being a preferred technology 

• Experience of influencing and building relationships with key internal and external stakeholders at all levels and across an organisation 

• High level of literacy and numeracy 

• Capability to learn new IT skills readily 

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives.

• Strong organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously 

• Ability to use tact and diplomacy and to handle confidential information

• Willing to work flexibly within changing priorities

• Results-focused attitude

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach.

• Excellent report-writing skills, especially in translating complex data into an accessible and clear format

• Excellent problem solving skills, ensuring good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Ability to meet deadlines under pressure, accurately and with attention to detail, often balancing conflicting priorities

• Positive attitude to challenges and co-operation with colleagues  

LEADERSHIP

Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions.

• Ability to work on own initiative, but also to work as part of a team

• Flexible and pragmatic approach 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must have the right to work in the UK.

• Commitment to high quality service and efficiency in all aspects of the organisation’s operations

• Evidenced commitment to equality and diversity

• Willing to travel on British Academy business

• Able to be flexible about working hours on occasion

• Personal commitment to the values, vision and objectives of the organisation  

BRITISH ACADEMY WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview, and will incorporate a presentation component.

Please note that you may be asked to reference any literature that you may refer to, as applications that are highly plagiarised and not your own work. e.g. ChatGPT, will be declined.