Evaluation Consultant - Scotland

Role Overview

For more than 25 years Ipsos Scotland has worked closely with government and a wide range of other public and third sector organisations, using our evaluation and social research expertise to provide robust evidence on the effectiveness of public policies and programmes and advise policy makers on their service delivery. We carry out the full range of quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method research studies and evaluations.
Our work spans the public policy agenda and has a direct bearing on the decisions made by government, organisations and citizens. We take that seriously and, because of this, do work of the highest quality that stands up to close scrutiny.
We are now looking for an Evaluation Consultant, with first class technical capabilities, to support the delivery, growth and diversification of our business.
The role will suit applicants that have previous commercial experience supporting and delivering evaluation projects through the full project cycle. Candidates need to have experience of delivering technical analysis in support of broader evaluations. This will include the development of theoretical frameworks, such as theories of change, the setting up and application of analytical models, including econometrics, the coding and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data., from evaluation design, to data collection and analysis, through to developing conclusions and recommendations.
As an Evaluation Consultant you will have the opportunity to work across our projects and business development activities, delivering our existing programme of work, and developing new areas. The successful applicant will help to grow this business through:

• Supporting the delivery of evaluation projects through the full project cycle, from evaluation design, to data collection and analysis, through to developing conclusions and recommendations;
• Expanding your methodological knowledge through the delivery of complex quantitative and qualitative evaluations;
• Supporting day-to-day client relationships while ensuring projects are delivered to budget and timescale through efficient working practices;
• Drafting evaluation frameworks, research tools and analysis plans;
• Close working with research teams to execute evaluation studies and provide consultancy inputs;
• Effective communication with clients and project partners;
• Supporting analysis of quantitative and qualitative datasets;
• Drafting sections of reports in Word and PowerPoint, with guidance and oversight;
• Supporting with the presentation of results to clients and stakeholders;
• Contributing to evaluation proposals as part of a wider team;
• Developing specialist expertise in a policy or methodological area.

The majority of your time will be spent on evaluation projects, however there may also be occasions when you work on other qualitative or quantitative research projects.

Ipsos UK offers a hybrid working environment, 3 days in the office and working the rest from home.

What do I need to bring with me?

• Skilled in both quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluation problems (a strong academic background in social sciences, economics, or a related area)
• Ability to apply critical thinking and problem solving approaches to the design/delivery of evaluations
• Excellent attention to detail, organised, and solutions-focused
• Proven ability to work well in teams and work across multiple projects, prioritising tasks efficiently
• Ability to work to tight and demanding deadlines to deliver profitable work and high quality outputs
• Well-developed analytical skills, including a good understanding of Excel (or SPSS, Stata or another statistical software package)
• Strong writing skills and experience of preparing written reports and presentations, with a high level of English, including the ability to write in a variety of styles
• Desirable: policy knowledge and expertise in relevant areas (e.g. poverty and inequality, education, economic development), or ability to pick up new policy areas – note that methods and analytical skills are more important than policy knowledge.

What is in it for me?

Ipsos UK offer an attractive basic salary and a rewards package including 25 days annual leave, a pension scheme and a great range of flexible benefits to suit your personal needs. For roles at Research Manager level and above we also offer private healthcare.

In addition to this we have a fantastic Learning & Development offer delivered through a mix of face to face, online or on-demand; you can read more by clicking here .

We realise you may have commitments outside of work and will consider flexible working applications - please highlight what you are looking for when you make your application.

Ipsos is committed to equality, treating people fairly, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment and ensuring we have diversity of people and views. We also recognise that this is important for our business success - a more diverse workforce will enable us to better reflect and understand the world we research and ultimately deliver better research and insight to our clients.