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- Tasks: Lead impactful evaluations in sustainability and economic development, shaping strategies and mentoring teams.
- Company: Join IFF, a people-first organisation known for its talented and friendly workforce.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, healthcare options, wellbeing support, and social events.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your career in a collaborative and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading complex evaluations and strong project management skills required.
- Other info: Ideal for those passionate about public policy and eager to shape a growing function.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an experienced impact evaluation expert to join our leadership team and drive forward our evaluation offer across policy areas such as sustainability, economic development, and regulation. You’ll work closely with stakeholders and delivery partners to evaluate complex programmes and interventions, combining theory-based approaches, survey design, statistical analysis, and qualitative insight.
As an Associate Director or Director you’ll play a key role in developing our internal capability and driving the strategic direction of our growing evaluation practice. You’ll work closely with our economist and wider evaluation teams to ensure we’re delivering credible, robust, and insightful work that informs decision making and creates impact for our clients.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the design and delivery of theory based and mixed-method evaluations.
- Develop logic models and evaluation frameworks, tailoring methodologies to suit diverse policy contexts.
- Work with clients to define evaluation questions and shape learning agendas.
- Manage and mentor project teams to ensure high-quality, timely and profitable project delivery.
- Oversee qualitative research components and integrate findings with quantitative analysis.
- Act as a visible leader across the evaluation function, developing internal expertise and guiding strategy.
- Contribute to business development, including proposal writing and client relationship building.
- Collaborate with economists and sector heads to deliver integrated, high-impact work.
- Experience leading complex evaluations, ideally within a UK public policy or agency setting.
- Strong grounding in theory based evaluation and mixed-method approaches.
- Skilled in project and stakeholder management, with a client-focused mindset.
- Proven leadership and mentoring capabilities.
- Comfortable managing multiple projects with varying complexity.
- Familiarity with UK government commissioning processes and policy cycles.
- An interest in sustainability, economic development, and/or regulatory policy.
- Collaborative, commercially minded, and excited by the opportunity to shape a growing function.
Time and time again we hear that the best thing about working here is our people. We attract and retain some of the most talented, friendly and interesting people within the industry. People with different ways of thinking and working, but with a shared goal of delivering impactful insight that makes a difference.
At IFF, we offer a supportive, flexible, and people-first culture, with 28 days’ holiday (increasing to 30 over time), healthcare options, wellbeing support, and social events.
If you’re looking for the next step in your research career, where you can lead projects, develop people, and make an impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Impact Evaluation Lead employer: IFF Research
Contact Detail:
IFF Research Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Impact Evaluation Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and methodologies in impact evaluation, especially those relevant to sustainability and economic development. This will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to the field during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the impact evaluation space, particularly those who have experience in UK public policy. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the industry.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've led complex evaluations in the past. Highlight your project management skills and your ability to mentor teams, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter's current projects and values to align your discussions with their mission. Showing that you understand their work and culture can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Impact Evaluation Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in impact evaluation, particularly within public policy or agency settings. Emphasise your leadership roles and any specific projects that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, clearly articulate your understanding of theory-based evaluations and mixed-method approaches. Mention your interest in sustainability and economic development, and how your skills can contribute to the company's goals.
Showcase Your Project Management Skills: Provide examples of how you've successfully managed multiple projects and stakeholders in the past. Highlight your client-focused mindset and any mentoring experiences that demonstrate your leadership capabilities.
Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit: Illustrate your ability to work collaboratively with economists and sector heads. Share instances where you’ve contributed to business development or proposal writing, showcasing your commercial mindset and strategic thinking.
How to prepare for a job interview at IFF Research
✨Showcase Your Evaluation Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with theory-based evaluations and mixed-method approaches. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully led complex evaluations, particularly in public policy or agency settings.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Illustrate your ability to manage and collaborate with various stakeholders. Share examples of how you've defined evaluation questions and shaped learning agendas in previous roles, showcasing your client-focused mindset.
✨Emphasise Leadership and Mentoring Experience
Discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've mentored project teams. This role requires strong leadership capabilities, so be ready to explain how you've guided teams to deliver high-quality work.
✨Align with Their Values and Culture
Research the company's culture and values, especially their focus on sustainability and economic development. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for contributing to a people-first environment and how you can help shape their growing evaluation function.
