Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager

This position reports to the NIHR Lead Economist and provides an excellent opportunity to join the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Team at LGC. The team focuses on generating timely and suitable evidence and insights to help NIHR be innovative, adaptable, and effective in supporting and handling research impact.

This position will assist both organisational level NIHR MEL activity through the NIHR Impact Programme and local Programme/Scheme level MEL activity.

This role primarily focuses on advancing the development and reporting of the NIHR Indicators, a vital part of NIHR organisational MEL within the NIHR Impact Programme. These indicators allow NIHR to communicate progress with DHSC and other collaborators about our aim to improve the health and wealth of the nation. The framework is based on our 4 I’s: Impact, Inclusion, Innovation, and Investment. Responsibilities include supporting the NIHR Impact Programme by leading the delivery and integration of cross-NIHR indicator evidence into products and communications. The person will support the creation and review of both quantitative and qualitative evidence. They will offer advice on data quality, method reliability, contextual interpretation, and impact visualisation. Furthermore, they will collaborate across sectors to encourage adherence to standard processes and ongoing improvement.

As part of your duties, you will provide evidence and communicate the effects of our health and social care research investments. You will guide activities that promote, develop, and embed enhanced monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) methods throughout NIHR. This fosters a learning environment that improves research management and amplifies its impact.

You will be a strategic problem solver who can view issues and solutions from various partner perspectives to understand the bigger picture. You will handle complexity well and lead the development, planning, and delivery of complex projects in a practical and balanced way. Excellent interpersonal skills and refined relationship-building abilities are crucial to work effectively with NIHR colleagues and important internal and external collaborators across the NIHR research ecosystem.

This is a hybrid role situated at LGC’s office in Twickenham, requiring you to be present 4 days each month.

Key Responsibilities

NIHR Indicators

• Chair of the ‘NIHR Indicators Delivery Group’ as part of the NIHR Impact Programme
• Provide progress reports in monthly Impact Leadership meetings and as needed. Update slide decks and reports and respond to given direction
• Function as a liaison between other NIHR Impact Programme projects in other delivery groups, including providing and assessing NIHR indicator evidence for information requests and proactive activities, attending delivery group meetings, and reviewing products and reports
• Maintain and review key process-related documents, e.g. Terms of Reference, work instructions, RAID logs
• Manage a small group of ‘indicator leads’, facilitating and supporting the data collection, analysis, and write-up process for all NIHR indicator evidence, reviewing technical reports
• Manage the integration and upkeep of NIHR Indicator evidence within a comprehensive dashboard
• Maintain close working relationships with NIHR collaborators across analytical, Impact, Communications, External Affairs, and wider functions, and with key DHSC partners
• Support the future development of data collection and analysis methods for all NIHR indicators, aligned with strategic goals. Collaborate with partners across NIHR to create indicators and secure leadership approval when needed

Required Criteria

• Postgraduate degree in health related or social sciences, or equivalent experience
• Proven ability to apply monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches to deliver insight and encourage sustained refinement of programme/scheme processes
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical and problem-solving abilities with the capacity to create, test, and implement innovative solutions to complex challenges
• Experience developing innovative methodologies that collate different types of data from across systems
• Proficiency in methodologies to evaluate and assess impact
• Experience of using digital tools and systems to drive improvements
• In depth experience and understanding of UK health and life sciences R&D sector, including dissemination and adoption, and the importance of research impact

Desirable Criteria

• Education and/ or equivalent experience in economics/ population health
• Experience working for a research funding organisation

Compantanices and Behavior 

• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills with the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external collaborators
• Excellent organisational abilities, including effective prioritisation and the capacity to meet targets by deadlines, with a proven history in project management
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are shown through high-level reporting and data visualization. You articulate, synthesize, and distill complex information into a simple, accessible format
• Highly motivated individual who thrives in managing complex and varied responsibilities and deliverables
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a team environment

Compensation, Benefits & Working Arrangements:
Salary: £48,600 to £51,300 per year
Location: Twickenham, London / hybrid working model
Contract Type: Permanent, full time 
Working Hours: 37.5 per week, 7.5 hours per day
Annual Leave: 25 days, plus UK public holidays

Employee Benefits Include:
Annual bonus, subject to company performance
Enhanced Contributory Pension Scheme
Life Insurance Cover
Benenden Healthcare Membership
Training and Development Opportunities 
Season Ticket Loan

NB: We offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, flexible working arrangements. This is an office based, hybrid role with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices 1 day each week, this may increase, subject to team requirements. 

Application
If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and believe you possess the relevant skills and background, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV along with a 'Statement of Suitability' that showcases your key skills and experiences in relation to the 'Required and Desired Criteria' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with the NIHR. 

Deadline for applications is 5pm on the 8th December, with interviews to commence from the 15th December. 

Inclusion and Diversity
LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership.

For more information about LGC, please visit our website www.lgcgroup.com