At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful evaluations and manage data for a groundbreaking national programme.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at DiSSCo UK, part of a £155.6 million initiative.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunities for travel and professional development await you!
- Why this job: Make a real difference in natural science digitisation while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in evaluation, data management, and team collaboration is essential.
The predicted salary is between 46743 - 46743 £ per year.
Salary: £46,743 Per Annum
Band: UKRI Band E
Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 0.8 FTE)
Contract type: 3 years Fixed Term
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
Closing Date: 28 June 2026
About the Role
The Distributed System of Scientific Collections UK (DiSSCo UK) is a £155.6 million investment for a national infrastructure programme to digitise 37 million natural science specimens. To deliver this exciting new programme, AHRC, alongside their delivery partner the Natural History Museum (NHM), are developing a DiSSCo UK delivery team to manage the programme on a day-to-day basis. This new team will be based at Swindon (with strong links to London) and will be responsible for leading the contract with the external evaluation supplier, leading on benefits management, engaging with relevant communities, measuring the impacts of the programme, and ensuring that impacts, outputs and outcomes are reflected upon, reported and communicated in a timely and effective manner.
Your Responsibilities
- You will supervise the programme-level evaluation, which comprises a baseline, impact evaluation and process evaluation.
- You will be the main contact for the evaluation suppliers and will convene the meetings and other activities required to provide appropriate oversight and dissemination of findings.
- You will maintain the programme level M&E plan and Benefits Realisation Plan.
- You will supervise data capture, reporting and monitoring for current and future DiSSCo UK grant holders.
- You will engage with AHRC, UKRI, and NHM colleagues to ensure DiSSCo UK reports against Measuring AHRC’s Success criteria and Infrastructure-fund level requirements.
- With the Investment Manager, you will supervise the DiSSCo UK governance structures and support on Business-Case Gate Reviews in collaboration with DiSSCo UK Team colleagues.
- You will engage with cross-UKRI initiatives, as appropriate, and hold the relationship with UKRI and AHRC data, impact, and evidence colleagues.
- You will oversee the commissioned research programme, in collaboration with colleagues and partners.
- You will create reports, briefing notes and slide packs to demonstrate the impacts and benefits of the DiSSCo UK programme.
- You will work collaboratively and effectively with DiSSCo UK colleagues (including those based at the NHM).
Person Specification
- Understanding of Monitoring and Evaluation terminology and principles, such as the purpose of M&E, different types of evaluation and how evaluation reports can be used.
- Experience of benefits mapping or experience of identifying and evidencing the impacts of an investment, project, or activity.
- Ability to collect, manage and present data accurately.
- Experience of leading or managing activities with multiple internal/external partners.
- Experience of managing and mitigating risk in projects.
- Good team working skills, including collaborating with colleagues to prioritise tasks and maximise resources.
- Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas and advocate to external stakeholders.
- Experience of managing or supervising staff and supporting staff development.
To apply you must attach your CV (2 pages max.) and a covering letter (2 pages max.), ensuring that your cover letter addresses the essential shortlisting and interview criteria.
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
DiSSCo UK Senior Impact and Evaluation Manager in Swindon employer: UKRI
DiSSCo UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at Polaris House in Swindon, where employees are encouraged to engage in meaningful projects that digitise natural science specimens. With a strong commitment to professional development, flexible working options, and a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave and a defined benefit pension scheme, DiSSCo UK fosters a culture of continuous learning and employee well-being, making it an attractive place for those seeking impactful careers in research and evaluation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land DiSSCo UK Senior Impact and Evaluation Manager in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the field. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their goals and how your skills can help them achieve those. Practice common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your experience in impact evaluation and benefits management.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in making you memorable. Mention something specific from the interview to show you were engaged and are genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, get your CV and cover letter ready and hit that apply button!
We think you need these skills to ace DiSSCo UK Senior Impact and Evaluation Manager in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Make sure your cover letter speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience with Monitoring and Evaluation, and how it aligns with the role. We want to see how you can bring value to DiSSCo UK!
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data management and presentation, don’t shy away from showcasing your skills in this area. Include examples of how you've used data visualisation tools or created impactful reports in your previous roles.
Keep It Concise:Remember, your CV and cover letter should be no more than 2 pages each. Be clear and concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences that demonstrate your fit for the Senior Impact & Evaluation Manager role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know Your M&E Terminology
Make sure you brush up on your Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) terminology before the interview. Understanding the purpose of M&E, different types of evaluations, and how reports are used will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts but can also apply them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in collecting, managing, and presenting data. Bring examples of how you've used data visualisation tools or created infographics. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate complex information clearly, which is crucial for the role.
✨Highlight Collaborative Experience
Since this role involves working with multiple internal and external partners, be ready to share specific examples of past collaborations. Talk about how you managed relationships and ensured everyone was aligned towards common goals. This will highlight your teamwork and interpersonal skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about managing risks and challenges in projects. Think of scenarios where you had to mitigate risks or adapt to changes. Being able to articulate these experiences will show your problem-solving abilities and readiness for the responsibilities of the role.
