At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research and evaluation to improve responses to child sexual abuse.
- Company: Join the CSA Centre, a dynamic team dedicated to tackling child sexual abuse.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, flexible hours, and access to mental health support.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and communities across England and Wales.
- Qualifications: Experience in evaluation and analytical methods, preferably in related fields.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the dynamic, multi-disciplinary team at the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre) as our new Principal Researcher and Evaluation Officer - Impact. This is a key role within the CSA Centre, central to our ambition to develop, understand and embed evidence-informed improvements in the response to child sexual abuse.
About the role: The CSA Centre aims to inform and improve policy and practice at local and national levels by identifying, generating and sharing high quality evidence on what works to prevent and tackle child sexual abuse, and our extensive evaluation and monitoring activity is central to that mission. As Principal Research and Evaluation Officer – Impact, you will lead the CSA Centre's monitoring and evaluation activity, working closely with other research and evaluation colleagues and our team of multi-agency Practice Improvement Advisers. This is a rare opportunity to develop and deliver approaches to evaluation and monitoring that support sustainable improvements to knowledge, understanding and practice, driving real change in the response to child sexual abuse across England and Wales.
We are looking for an experienced evaluator with strong skills and significant experience of designing, planning and overseeing programmes of monitoring and evaluation, using a wide range of methodologies. We welcome applications from experienced evaluation specialists working in the field of child sexual abuse, as well as those with evaluation experience in closely related fields such as violence against women and girls, violence against children or sexual violence, where your skills and expertise can readily transfer to this role. You will have demonstrable expertise in applying analytical methods and tools for gathering data and interpreting evidence, and managing multiple impact and evaluation projects simultaneously, ensuring effective planning, prioritisation and timely delivery.
As Principal Research and Evaluation Officer - Impact, you will play a key role tackling child sexual abuse alongside the work of our colleagues across practice, policy, communications and training. This is important work - the CSA Centre conservatively estimates that one in ten children will experience some form of child sexual abuse before age of 16, and our ambitious programmes seek to improve the knowledge, skills and confidence of professionals (social workers, teachers, social workers, nurses etc.) in identifying and responding to child sexual abuse.
About us: We are the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre). Our aim is to reduce the impact of child sexual abuse through improved prevention and better response. To tackle child sexual abuse we must better understand its causes, scope, scale and impact. Established since 2017, we are a multi-disciplinary team that is funded by the Home Office, hosted by Barnardo's and we work closely with key partners from academic institutions, local authorities, health, education, police and the voluntary sector. We're proudly independent and our team will challenge any barriers, assumptions, taboos and ways of working that prevent us from increasing our understanding and improving our approach to child sexual abuse.
We bring about change by:
- Collating and analysing existing research, policy, practice and the real experiences of those affected, and filling the gaps we identify with new research, insights and analysis;
- Using that evidence and insight to challenge and improve existing policy and practice, develop new approaches and increase everyone's knowledge and confidence to more effectively tackle the issue.
Working arrangements: This role is hybrid working from home with regular travel required, usually to London. The CSA Centre acknowledges that tackling child sexual abuse can feel challenging but is incredibly rewarding and positive when actively making change. Our open working environment ensures that there is support for all employees, across the team and with access to a therapist, if needed. Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss any aspect of this further. We believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore are open to offering flexible working arrangements.
When completing your application please refer to your skills, knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Job Description. Although this contract has a permanent status, please be aware that CSA Centre roles are subject to funding currently to until 31 March 2027 and therefore should this funding not be extended further, you may be subject to a redundancy consultation or a TUPE arrangement. This contract is due to expire on 31 March 2027. This will be reviewed in late 2026, as future funding for the CSA Centre from 2027/28 onwards is confirmed.
Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.
Principal Researcher and Evaluation Officer - Impact employer: BARNARDOS
The Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre) is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a strong commitment to tackling child sexual abuse through evidence-informed practices, the CSA Centre offers unique opportunities for impactful work, flexible working arrangements, and access to mental health support, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in this critical field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Researcher and Evaluation Officer - Impact
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the field of child sexual abuse and evaluation. Attend relevant events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the CSA Centre’s work. Familiarise yourself with their projects and methodologies. This shows genuine interest and helps you articulate how your skills align with their mission during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your impact! When discussing your previous roles, focus on specific outcomes and improvements you’ve driven through your evaluation work. Use data and examples to illustrate your contributions and how they relate to tackling child sexual abuse.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it gives you a chance to tailor your submission to the specific requirements outlined in the job description and person specification.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Researcher and Evaluation Officer - Impact
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly:Before you start writing your application, make sure to read through the job description and person specification carefully. This will help you understand what we're looking for and how you can tailor your application to highlight your relevant skills and experience.
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on specific examples that demonstrate your skills in evaluation and research. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at the CSA Centre, so don’t hold back on sharing your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you're the right fit for this role.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. This ensures that we receive all the necessary information and helps us keep track of your application. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at BARNARDOS
✨Know Your Impact
Make sure you understand the specific impact of child sexual abuse and how your role as a Principal Researcher and Evaluation Officer can contribute to meaningful change. Familiarise yourself with the CSA Centre's mission and recent projects, so you can discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Methodologies
Be prepared to discuss the various evaluation methodologies you've used in past roles. Highlight your experience in designing and overseeing monitoring programmes, and be ready to provide examples of how these have led to improvements in practice or policy.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Since this role requires strong analytical skills, come equipped with examples of how you've applied analytical methods to gather data and interpret evidence. Discuss any tools or software you’ve used and how they helped in your previous evaluations.
✨Engage with the Team's Values
The CSA Centre values collaboration and challenging assumptions. During your interview, express your enthusiasm for working in a multi-disciplinary team and share instances where you've successfully collaborated with others to drive change in your field.
