Job Summary
ECMiSY seeks an Independent Evaluator to lead a participatory, learning-focused evaluation of this Arts Council England Place Partnership across South Yorkshire from 2027. You’ll design and deliver an evaluation that captures what makes a difference in early childhood music and shares that learning
Job Description
ECMiSY Independent Evaluator
Fee: £21,600 - Days: 72 - Contract: Jan 2027 to Aug 2029 - Location: South Yorkshire
Reports to: ECMiSY Project Director
About ECMiSY
Early Childhood Music in South Yorkshire is an Arts Council England Place Partnership led by SYMCA, with Concerteenies as lead delivery organisation. A consortium of around 16 partners across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield is working together to grow high-quality, joined-up music-making for babies, young children and the adults who care for them.
The role
You will lead an independent, participatory evaluation that helps partners understand what makes a difference and uses that learning to shape the programme as it grows.
Key responsibilities
- Design an evaluation framework and Theory of Change with partners
- Develop creative, accessible tools for practitioners, settings and families
- Gather and analyse qualitative and quantitative data across four places
- Centre the voices and experiences of young children and their carers
- Feed learning back to partners regularly to inform delivery
- Work alongside the Project Director and wider learning team
- Produce interim and final reports for Arts Council England and SYMCA
- Share findings openly with the early years and cultural sectors
About you
- Proven experience of evaluating arts, cultural or early years programmes
- Skilled in participatory and developmental evaluation approaches
- Confident with mixed methods, data analysis and clear reporting
- Experience of ethical practice with young children and families
- Understanding of early childhood development and music-making
- Able to work independently while building trusting relationships
Desirable: experience of ACE-funded programmes or multi-partner evaluations; knowledge of South Yorkshire.
Job Requirements
- Proven experience evaluating arts, cultural or early years programmes
- Skilled in participatory and developmental evaluation approaches
- Confident with mixed methods, data analysis and clear, engaging reporting
- Experience of ethical, child-centred practice with young children and families
- Understanding of early childhood development and music-making
- Able to design creative, accessible tools for varied audiences
- Able to work independently while building trusting relationships with partners
- Able to travel across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield
- Experience of evaluating Arts Council England-funded or multi-partner programmes
- Familiarity with frameworks such as Theory of Change or COM-B
- Knowledge of the South Yorkshire early years and cultural landscape
- Commitment to open sharing of learning across the sector
Job Responsibilities
Key responsibilities
- Design an independent, participatory evaluation framework and Theory of Change with partners
- Develop creative, accessible tools for practitioners, settings and families
- Gather and analyse qualitative and quantitative data across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield
- Centre the voices and experiences of young children and their carers
- Feed learning back to partners regularly to inform and adapt delivery
- Work alongside the Project Director and wider learning team
- Ensure ethical, safe and inclusive data collection throughout
- Produce interim and final reports for Arts Council England and SYMCA
- Share findings openly with the early years, music and cultural sectors
- Job Title: Independent Evaluator - Early Childhood Music in South Yorkshire
Creating musical connections for children aged 0-7 and their communities
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Independent Evaluator - Early Childhood Music in South Yorkshire employer: Arts Council England
Arts Council England is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values flexibility and employee well-being. With a focus on professional growth, employees benefit from generous annual leave, a final salary pension scheme, and opportunities to lead innovative digital projects in a collaborative environment. Located in Manchester, the role allows for hybrid working, ensuring a balanced approach to work and life while contributing to meaningful organisational change.
