Evaluation and Impact Lead

This is a full-time, fixed term for 30 months. The position is fixed term due to being part of a government funded innovation programme, however there may be potential to continue in employment with the company partner following the completion of the KTP.

Duties of the post

The duties of the post will include:

• Co-producing and implementing data-led impact evaluation tools and a community needs assessment framework, grounded in the Theory of Change model, to support improved mental health outcomes.
• Conducting a comprehensive review of Mid and North Essex Mind’s current strategy, evaluation practices, and stakeholder landscape to inform project planning and delivery.
• Designing and embedding robust evaluation methodologies, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches, to assess service effectiveness and organisational impact.
• Developing and piloting tools for data collection, analysis, and reporting—such as Power BI dashboards, stakeholder feedback mechanisms, and longitudinal tracking systems.
• Working with individuals at the charity to understand the impact of mental health services which could include interviewing individuals and facilitating group discussions.
• Using confidential client notes to identify trends and themes and inform the creation of a follow up review tool.
• Leading the creation of a scalable follow-up review tool to track long-term service user outcomes and support strategic decision-making.
• Facilitating organisational learning by delivering training workshops, forming internal working groups, and embedding evaluation practices across teams.
• Acting as a key liaison between the University of Essex and Mid and North Essex Mind, ensuring effective knowledge transfer and alignment of academic and organisational goals.
• Producing high-quality research outputs, including academic publications, conference presentations, and a final project report.
• Supporting the dissemination and potential commercialisation of evaluation tools and frameworks developed during the project.
• Managing project planning, risk assessment, and ethics applications, and reporting progress to the Local Management Committee (LMC).

These duties are a guide to the work that the post holder will initially be required to undertake. They may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances.

Key requirements (Essential Criteria)

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Psychology, Social Psychology, Counselling, Mental Health Nursing, or a similar discipline
• An MBA or an MSc in Business and Management, Psychology, Social Psychology (or nearing completion) or a similar discipline, or equivalent level of experience
• Experience of balancing the needs and priorities of a range of stakeholders
• Knowledge of mental health service models and support pathways
• Strong understanding of evaluation methodologies
• Familiarity with ethical research practices
• Ability to work with vulnerable groups including a good understanding of managing boundaries
• Good research skills, including analysis of quantitative and qualitative data
• Proficient with data analysis tools and methodologies, including Power BI
• Ability to apply academic theories in a third-sector setting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent time keeping, budget management and project management skills

Benefits

As a KTP Associate, the post will offer the following benefits:

• A personal development budget of £5,000 (exclusive of salary).
• Management training and mentoring by an Innovate UK KTP Adviser.
• An interesting and challenging role, with exposure to a variety of stakeholders.
• Full access to university resources to complete the project.
• World-leading Academic and Company project supervision, with project support by a dedicated, sector leading KTP Office.

Location

Mid and North Essex Mind
The Constantine Centre
272a Mersea Road
Colchester

Please see the job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please contact resourcing@essex.ac.uk

The University of Essex in partnership with Mid and North Essex Mind is offering an exciting opportunity to a graduate with the relevant skills and knowledge to co-produce and implement data-led impact evaluation tools and a community needs assessment framework based on the Theory of Change model for mental health services, leading to improved outcomes for individuals and the wider voluntary and community sector.