Aimhigher Evaluation, Research and Data Manager - External Relations - 42887Z25 - Grade 7

Position Details

External Relations

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to April 2026

Closing date: 9th February 2025

Role Summary

This post will work as a member of the Aimhigher West Midlands Team in the central coordination hub based at the University of Birmingham. Aimhigher is a partnership of local HEIs, schools and colleges which undertakes collaborative outreach activity in the local area. The partnership receives funding from the Office for Students to deliver the Uni Connect programme, alongside delivering locally funded activities. 

The post holder will ensure Aimhigher retains a systematic and robust approach to its use of data, monitoring and research techniques in order to evaluate performance and impact. They will achieve this by developing and implementing the Aimhigher evaluation strategy. This will include the sourcing and effective storage and management of data, the establishment and development of tools/systems, the production of reports and the provision of expertise, recommendations, training and guidance to develop good practice across the partnership. The post holder will be required to liaise with colleagues from across the partnership.

Main Duties

Partnership Research and Evaluation Strategy

• To further develop and support the ongoing implementation of an annually reviewed monitoring and evaluation strategy for the partnership, with reference to relevant national drivers, guidance (Office for Students) and evidence of what works
• To develop and maintain the partnership’s data protection and data sharing infrastructure, protocols and agreements
• To lead on the production of reports to internal and external stakeholders
• To support partner organisations and practitioners by providing guidance and development opportunities, identifying and sharing good practice, attending meetings and producing reports and publications / monitoring and evaluation toolkits as required
• To represent the partnership on national evaluation groups related to partnership working as appropriate

Project Management of Monitoring, Research and Evaluation 

• To lead on the development of Aimhigher’s on-line database and other monitoring / evaluation tools, including provision of user support and training
• To source data in support of the above from partner organisations and relevant local / national sources
• To develop and undertake an annual schedule of qualitative and quantitative sample-based evaluation across all sectors of the partnership
• To work with staff in the partner Institutions to support consistent monitoring and evaluation of their Aimhigher-funded projects
• To contribute as required to meetings of the Partnership’s Committees and sub-groups
• To identify and facilitate opportunities to disseminate the evaluation findings of the partnership and contribute to the national body of WP evidence on ‘what works’

Wider Partnership Support, Engagement and New Business Development 

• To advise and support partner HEIs on the use of Aimhigher data, research and evaluation resources in support of institutional WP activity
• With the Aimhigher Manager, to explore opportunities to extend research and evaluation services / income generation e.g. to new partner HEIs / schools, via funding bids etc.
• To present evaluation, monitoring and research outcomes to a variety of expert and non-expert audiences, both within the partnership and externally
• As an employee of External Relations to attend departmental meetings and away days and respond to requests for support and information

Line Management 

• To line manage the Assistant Evaluation and Monitoring Officer, directing and supporting their work to deliver the objectives above
• To carry out monthly 121s and PDRs in line with External Relations policy

In addition the post holder is expected to carry out any other duties that support the work of the Aimhigher partnership as required.

Person Specification

• Educated to Degree level
• Knowledge of, and extensive experience and demonstrable success in, the planning, management and delivery of large scale research and evaluation projects 
• Detailed knowledge of data protection legislation and experience of data sharing between organisations
• Extensive experience of analysing large and complex data sets, identifying trends and clearly presenting this information to both expert and non-expert audiences
• Excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with representatives of a wide and varied partnership, as well as external stakeholders
• Experience of managing and developing databases, advanced expertise in using Microsoft Excel, and efficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and SPSS (or able to demonstrate an ability to become rapidly familiar with these systems) 
• Experience of designing surveys and working with survey production software
• Familiarity with the landscape of sector data available through UCAS and HESA, or able to demonstrate an ability to rapidly become so
• The resilience to deal with and work around the limitations of legacy systems
• Experience of providing monitoring and evaluation training and guidance to non-technical colleagues 
• Excellent organisational skills, with ability to organise own work and operate effectively with minimal supervision
• The ability to work effectively with others in a team setting
• Able to identify priorities, anticipate / meet deadlines and achieve targets
• Prepared to work evening and occasional weekends when required
• Prepared to engage in continuous professional development
• The post holder will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check

Skills:

• Critical thinking - Essential (E)
• Knowledge of research/evaluation methods (E)
• Experience analysing large and complex datasets (E)
• Ability to clearly present information to expert and non-expert audiences (E)
• Diplomacy – ability to deal with different stakeholders with different priorities (E) 
• Proficiency in Excel (E)
• R/python (D)
• Organisation (E)
• Working as a team (E)
• Knowledge of the sector - Desirable (D)
• Knowledge of data protection (D)

DBS required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries to Baljinder Rana, email: b.rana@bham.ac.uk 

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We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.