Evaluation Researcher
Fixed Term (2 years), Full Time (37 hours per week)
£35,326 to £41,561 per annum
Location: Chelmsford*
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 26th May 2025
*This is a hybrid-working role, with attendance in the Chelmsford office expected to be 1 day per week on average, depending on business need.
This is a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity for a period of 2 years with possibility for extension.
Essex County Council is working with Sport England and Active Essex to build healthier, stronger and more active communities. We are leading an innovative and exciting programme of work delivering real change across Essex, including across our 6 place partnerships (Basildon, Castle Point, Colchester, Harlow, Thurrock, and Tendring) as well as Active Essex’s other programmes across the whole of Greater Essex. To deliver this programme of work we need access to the right data and leading-edge insight to inform the decisions we take, and to help ensure our investments make a meaningful impact on our communities.
We are recruiting an evaluation researcher to play a vital role in using data and insight to inform our decision making and to measure our impact, ensuring our investments deliver meaningful change across the system and in the communities we serve.
We need expert support to deliver an ambitious evaluation programme, including planning, designing and delivery of primary research to measure outcomes at project and system level.
About you
You will be a key member of the Active Essex Insight and Evaluation team, working on all aspects of evaluation with support and leadership from academic experts and a senior researcher in the field of physical activity and evaluation. You will be experienced in primary research and/or evaluation, data literate and have an interest in different approaches to evaluation. Understanding and experience of using realist evaluation would be beneficial.
As an embedded evaluation researcher, you will be curious and able to work autonomously to explore areas of interest to the evaluation programme.
You will need a track record of applying a variety of research methods to engage with different groups of people to plan and deliver primary research. You will need to be able to apply a variety of techniques to analyse findings and be experienced in sharing key findings to ‘tell a story’ and engage various audiences, making recommendations and leading them to action. Understanding and experience of using realist evaluation would be beneficial, but not essential.
You will have the attributes to work collaboratively with a wide variety of people, work as part of a team, build trusted relationships with stakeholders, and influence thinking and strategy. You’ll need a proven commitment to your own professional development.
The role will work directly with Active Essex but will be embedded within Essex County Council’s wider Research and Citizen Insight function.
Some travel across Essex for meetings and field work will be required.
In return, you can look forward to an excellent rewards package, as well as flexible working and exposure to future career opportunities.
To read more about us please visit: People, Policy, Economy and Public Health - Working for Essex
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
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