This vacancy has now closed

Senior Researcher - Place-based and Systems Change Evaluator

  • Full time or Part time
  • £38,850 – £51,975
  • Working remotely from home across the UK, occasionally co-working spaces, with occasional travel.
  • Closing 11th June 2023


  • Advertised from 11th May 2023
  • Start date: As soon as possible (Early Summer 2023). Salary: Depending on experience and qualifications. Hours of work: Flexible: Full time (35 hours per week), or Part Time (3 to 4 days per week, 21-28 hours) will be considered. Contract type: Permanent.
  • 30 days Annual holiday (pro rata), Pension Scheme. Access to co-working budget. Health and Well-being Allowance.

Role

Do you feel passionately about improving the life chances of children, young people and families? Are you excited to develop and lead progressive approaches to the evaluation of place-based and systems-change initiatives? Are you curious or experienced in a range of evaluation approaches?

Dartington Service Design Lab is an internationally respected social research and design charity focussed on using evidence to help those working with children and young people have a greater impact. We have nearly 60 years of experience working across the public and voluntary sectors to improve the lives of children and young people.

We are seeking an experienced social researcher and evaluator looking to work in an innovative and practically applied research environment. Whilst the role is varied, the primary focus is the evaluation of a range of place-based and complex system change initiatives focused on improving outcomes for children and families. The work involves mixed methods approaches with an inter-disciplinary team. Approaches will be tailored depending on the needs of each project. This will include theory-driven approaches such as realist evaluation and contribution analysis alongside experimental or quasi-experimental methods.

If we’re going to design impactful supports for children and families, we need to ensure our team is inclusive. Dartington encourages applications from all backgrounds and strives to have a team with diverse skills, experiences and abilities. We are committed to progressing an anti-racist approach in all areas of our work – including our place-based and systems change evaluation work. Join us if you are passionate about social justice.

The successful candidate may be based anywhere in the UK and will enjoy a varied and independent role - working with great colleagues and partners on multiple projects.

The work is rarely routine. We are often experimenting and trying to innovate with those who we work with. We value empathy and collaboration and a focus on using evidence for social good. The successful candidate will have at least five years’ experience of outstanding project leadership and delivery within the research or social sector. Key responsibilities are outlined in the job description document.

As a team, we operate remotely across the UK with regular project-related travel. Our staff tend to work from home or when appropriate, together in local co-working spaces, and normally, every quarter we meet as a whole team in our beautiful Devon office.

The post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Application notes

Application timetable:

Sunday 11th June 2023 at 23.59 Close

w/c 12th June 2023 Shortlisting

w/c 3rd July 2023 Interviews

w/c 10th July 2023 Final decision

To apply, please visit https://www.dartington.org.uk/vacancies