MEAL Manager

We are looking for an individual to join the Rothschild Foundation as a Learning and Evaluation Manager to support evaluation and learning across the Rothschild Foundation’s grants programmes.  This is a new role, which will focus on developing and embedding evaluation and learning practice within the organisation’s grant-making.  

The Rothschild Foundation continues the philanthropic tradition of the Rothschild family and their longstanding support of arts and heritage and the environment.

Purpose and Scope:

This is an exciting time to join the Grants Team.  We have begun to refine our approach to our local funding through a Theory of Change process, involving local stakeholders in developing our intended outcomes.  Following a review of our food and farming activity, we will launch a rejuvenated Regenerative Food and Farming strategy for our national activity in spring 2024.  We understand that evaluation and learning is key to the success of these developments and that we are at the early stages of our evaluation and learning journey.  We are looking for someone who is able to take the lead in this area, who also thrives in being part of a team that embraces collaborative working, encourages exploration, all within a supportive and collegiate environment.

We are lucky to call the beautiful Waddesdon Estate our home, operating from an office based on the Estate.  Our grant-making is inspired by the art collection and buildings of Waddesdon Manor and the natural environment and farming practice of the Waddesdon Estate.  We develop close working relationships with our grantees, often using our spaces and our cultural and environmental assets to support their work.

We offer flexible working with 1-2 days per week required in the office.  Wednesday is currently our allocated office day.

Through our funding we are committed to making a difference across all communities.  In our organisation we are looking to increase the diversity of our workforce and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for this role.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Implement, develop and coordinate evaluation and learning of our grant programmes, using research and insight to inform developments in internal grant-making and external influencing.
• Lead on the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data from our grantees and public data sources, ensuring that the sourcing of data is accessible and equitable.
• Supporting others, primarily the Grants Team, and Trustees, to navigate data and learning insights, to inform decision making and external influencing.
• Effectively communicate learning both internally and externally, including to Trustees and our external audiences.
• Support the team with the commissioning and  management of external programme evaluation, where relevant.
• Undertake research and insight into current and future areas of interest for RF grant-making.
• Provide advice and guidance on evaluation methodologies to applicants and grantees, either ad hoc or via facilitated sessions at Rothschild Foundation and stakeholder events.
• Represent the Rothschild Foundation on external evaluation and learning networks and stay up to date on evaluation and learning methodologies and approaches.
• Contribute content to the Grants newsletter.

The role would suit people who have:

• Experience of leading research and evaluation design, particularly within the third sector.
• Experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Experience in developing evaluation methods and approaches to suit different contexts, size/scale of funded initiative.
• Skills in creating effective processes for organisational learning from data analysis.
• Ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks to deadlines. 
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to use initiative and work independently.
• An enjoyment of collaborative teamworking.
• Flexibility in approaching new areas of interest with enthusiasm and creativity.
• An interest in the Rothschild Foundations areas of interest – Arts and Culture and / or Regenerative Food and Farming.
• Knowledge of using various computer packages and database systems.

Terms and Conditions:

Contract Type: Permanent full time with the Rothschild Foundation

Annual Salary: £40,000 per annum

Hours: A minimum of 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday

Annual Leave:

• From start date, 33 days (including public holiday)
• After three full years of service: 36 days (including public holidays)
• After five full years of service: 38 days (including public holidays)
• After ten full years of services: 40 days (including public holidays)         

Benefits:

• 50% discount from our on-site catering takeaway
• 20% staff discounts in our on-site Restaurant and Shops.
• Matched pension contribution. Employer matched up to 10%
• Beautiful location working within the charity and heritage sector.
•  Free parking.

Closing date: midnight, Friday 16th February 2024

Interview: Interviews will be held in person at our office in Waddesdon on 29th February and 6th March 2024