Data-Driven Evaluation Analyst in Birmingham

Do you enjoy using data and research to understand what works and help shape better decisions? We have an opportunity for an Evaluation Analyst to join the West Midlands Combined Authority. This role will play an important part in strengthening how we use evidence, research and evaluation to inform policy, investment and programme delivery across the region.

This is an exciting time to join WMCA as we continue to build our research, policy, performance and evaluation capability. By providing high-quality analysis and insight, you will help ensure our decisions are informed by strong evidence and that our programmes deliver meaningful outcomes for communities across the West Midlands.

Working within the Strategy Unit, you will support the evaluation of a wide range of devolved programmes, helping us understand their impact, and identify opportunities to improve future policy and delivery. You will help us and our stakeholders translate evidence, monitoring, and evaluation results into practical actions for action learning, and ultimately, maximise inclusive growth for our people and places.

What you will be doing:

• Supporting the design and delivery of high quality, innovative and effective programme and policy evaluations.
• Preparing and analysing data across the evaluation process to best understand the impact of programmes and initiatives.
• Providing technical guidance and support to help embed the evaluation framework and improve the quality and standard of evaluations.
• Producing clear reports and insights that support policy development and decision making.
• Contributing to the evaluation of programmes across areas such as energy, transport, housing, skills, employment support and local growth.
• Maintaining and improving systems used to collect and manage evaluation data.
• Communicating findings through reports, presentations and visual insights.
• Working with colleagues, local authorities and partners to strengthen the regional evidence base.
• Supporting performance reporting for senior leaders, boards and committees.
• Identifying key insights that help shape future strategy and policy.

What's essential:

• Experience supporting research or evaluation projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data and draw clear conclusions.
• The ability to communicate evidence clearly to a range of audiences.
• Experience building effective working relationships with colleagues and partners.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Knowledge of research and evaluation approaches, including both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Experience working with national or local datasets relevant to policy development.
• Degree in a subject with a strong economics, numerate or analytical component, or equivalent experience.
• Experience using MS office applications such as OneNote, MS Teams and analytical tools such as Microsoft Excel, Lists, Power BI or other software.

Location: The location for this role is Summer Lane with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

How to apply:

Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started:

• Create your Careers Account.
• Register with your name, email address, and a password.
• Build your Profile.
• Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
• Write your Supporting Statement. Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
• Submit your application. Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

Anonymised Applications: Your uploaded CV won’t be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. It’s your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI): We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application. Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting.

Reasonable adjustments: If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).

Salary and benefits: We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.
• EV car benefit scheme.
• Healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership, will writing, and mortgage advice.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Interest-free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology.
• Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more.
• You can now also obtain a Costco membership through the WMCA.
• Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• EyeCare Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

Why join WMCA? WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it’s needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people’s lives, every day.

Our Values: Our behaviours sit at the heart of our values, helping to shape how we work together as WMCA employees and setting clear expectations.

• Collaborative Team Focused - working as part of team, managing and leading Service Driven - customer, resident and partner focused.
• Driven Empowered and Accountable - taking ownership and leading when needed Performance Focused - being ambitious and going the extra mile.
• Inclusive One Organisation Mindset - believe in each others expertise Open and Honest Communication - we do what we say we are going to do.
• Innovative Forward Thinking - embrace change and open to new possibilities Problem Solving - go for clear and simple whenever possible.

Creating an inclusive workplace: WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with Leader status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don’t fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don’t let these factors deter you from applying.

Right to Work in the UK: Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed. Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).