Job title:SLN-COP Programme Manager (Research and Evaluation)

Post number:

Reports to:Director, Sussex Learning Network (SLN)

Department:Research Enterprise and Social Partnerships

Location:Hollingbury, Brighton

Grade:8

Purpose of the role

The SLN, a consortium of 3 higher education, 8 Further Education Colleges, 3 Local Authorities a LEP and a council of training providers in Sussex, has recently secured £3.9M funding over two years from the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) to deliver the National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP) in Sussex.

The SLN/COP project will identify and address issues around progression to higher education for young people living in areas where progression is low overall, and particularly low when GCSE attainment is taken into account. The overall aim is boost the take-up of higher education ensuring that the project’s targets for improved accessinto higher education are met within the identified areas and timescales. Activity will commence from January2017 and will be undertaken with young people (in Years 9-13), key influencers (parents, carers, guardians and teachers) and communities.
This is a senior role and the post holder will be an expert in their field, able to work autonomously with, and across, a range of independent external organisations with only a minimum of supervision. This is a complex environment where the differing needs and views of these organisations will need to be understood, skilfully influenced and managed in order to ensure progress is achieved. The role works at a strategic level where the post holder is expected to generate original ideas and innovative solutions to meet not only the immediate needs of the project but also the longer terms aims and objectives in this area. The post holder will be need the personal and professional credibility to represent the university on this national project.

The post holder will be responsible for developing an evaluation strategy which enables the Programme team and partner institutions to monitor and evaluate relevant activity, as well
lead the monitoring and evaluation of the SLN-COP, and drive the research activities which inform, improve and sustain the Programme.
Line management responsibility for:Data Officer

Main areas of responsibility:

  • Develop a research and evaluation strategy to underpin the Programme, satisfy funder requirements and assess the effectiveness of programme activities.
  • Create and implement a robust and scalable monitoring and evaluation framework which supports the objectives and deliverables of programme stakeholders.
  • Establish, agree with all stakeholders and implement ‘data reporting protocols’ for evidence based monitoring, reporting and evaluation, specifically using the HEAT database.
  • Liaise with the national evaluation programme for NCOP, ensuring compliance with overall evaluation aims, and negotiating the SLN-COP contributions to national evaluation programmes.
  • Analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data and identify the strengths and weaknesses of activities, and using this evidence to recommend changes in targeting, activity, or evaluation methods to the partner institutions.
  • Engage with partners to determine and commission new research to inform practices which improve the delivery and sustainability of the Programme, including work from internal and external providers, writing briefing documents, liaising with suppliers, identifying additional funding and negotiating costs.
  • Manage the Data Officer, setting objectives, and monitoring performance.
  • Disseminate the outcomes of the teams work through appropriate networks and conferences across the sector, including delivering presentations, research papers and briefings.
  • Manage the devolved budget, following appropriate financial and regulatory policies and procedures, and take necessary mitigating action to ensure that there is no risk of overspend or underspend. This includes monitoring effectiveness and value-for-money, including suggesting efficiency improvements.
  • Work cooperatively with the team to ensure that the required outcomes of the project are delivered.
    General responsibilities

These are standard to all University of Brighton job descriptions.

  • To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser grade.
  • To adhere to the University’s Equality and Diversity Policy in all activities, and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.
  • To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
  • To work in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

The person specification focuses on the knowledge, qualifications, experience and skills (both general and technical) required to undertake the role effectively. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria. You will be assessed by your completed application form (A), at interview (I) and in some instances through an exercise (E).

Essential criteria / A, I, E
Knowledge /
  • Strong understanding of higher education widening participation context.
  • Highly organised with an ability to plan, manage and deliver complex projects with a diverse range of partners.
  • Data analysis skills including advanced knowledge of databases and excel, including HEAT.
/ A I
Qualifications /
  • A degree and/or equivalent professional experience in a related area.
  • Research methods or statistics qualification.
/ A
Experience / Experience of:
  • Significant professional experience in leading complex research and evaluation projects.
  • Experience of collecting, analysing and reporting on quantitative and qualitative data.
  • A demonstrable record of carrying out research and/or evaluation to support the development of evidence-based practice and policy.
  • Experience of survey design.
/ AI
Technical/work based skills /
  • Proven capabilities of writing reports and presenting complex concepts to non-specialist audiences in an engaging and concise way
  • Confident and professional manner
  • Good written and verbal communications skills
  • Tactful, diplomatic, empathetic and calm under pressure
/ AIE
  • Any appointment is generally made at the bottom of the salary range for the grade dependent upon experience and previous salary.
  • This is a full time post and is fixed termto 31 December 2018.
  • Annual leave entitlements are shown in the table below and increase after 5 years’ service. In addition, to the eight Bank Holidays, there are university discretionary days between Christmas and New Year. All leave, including bank holidays and discretionary days, is pro-rated for part time employees.

Grades / Basic entitlement per year / Grades / After 5 years’ service
1-3 / 23 days / 1-3 / 28 days
4-7 / 25 days / 4-7 / 30 days
8-9 / 27 days / 8-9 / 30 days
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Date: Jan 2016