ConsultantEvaluation and Impact

January 2016Information for Applicants

1 year fixed term

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OPM Group

252B Gray’s Inn Road 0845 055 3900London www.opm.co.uk WC1X 8XG www.dialoguebydesign.co.uk United Kingdom info@opm.co.uk

OPM Group Consultant

Contents

About the OPM Group..............................................................................................1

Job description..........................................................................................................2

Purpose..................................................................................................................2

Main responsibilities...............................................................................................2

Salary..........................................................................................................................4

Person Specification.................................................................................................4

Selection Process.....................................................................................................6

Terms and Conditions..............................................................................................7

The OPM Group Charter...........................................................................................7

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About the OPM GroupOPM Group is an independent employee-owned research and consultancy organisation which supports and champions the delivery of social impact. We’re made up of two divisions: OPM and Dialogue by Design. We work with public, private and third sector organisations to deliver research and insight, evaluation and impact analysis, and stakeholder/public engagement. Dialogue by Design is our specialist consultation planning and analysis service. As employees we own our business and everything that we do as a business is to improve social outcomes.

Our ambition is to be:

The market leader in understanding and measuring social impact through research and evaluation, giving the third sector and others the evidence to show the good they do.

The leading provider of digital consultation services.

An organisation that’s known for going beyond insight and engagement to help organisations understand how to deliver social impact in a changing world.

An exemplar employee owned business that helps others get the best out of their people as we do ours.

To help us do that we’re looking for evaluation consultants to join our growing team. It’s varied work, from large-scale complex evaluations of integrated care programmes to evaluations of third sector grant programmes tacking key issues affecting local communities.

You’ll need to be agile and adaptable, with a background in evaluation but the flexibility to work across a range of disciplines. We’re a small company so expect to pitch in to our engagement, consultation and research work when needed.

As a consultant you’ll be delivering projects from day one, managing small projects and being part of a team for large ones. From liaising with clients/partners, contributing to writing proposals, designing data collection materials to undertaking analysis of datasets, the job is quite varied. Communicating in writing and verbally to different audiences is essential to this role. We might be dedicated to social impact but we do it in a commercial world, so you’ll also need strong project management skills to keep your budget under control, coordinating the team with tight deadline. Last but not least, we have an enviable reputation for robust and insightful work, so your dedication to high quality delivery should match ours.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop your career with guidance from experienced practitioners, working alongside colleagues with exceptional skills and the same dedication to social impact. We’re proud of our culture: we take shared responsibility for the success of the Group, and we celebrate that success together too.

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If you think that this role would suit you please fill out an application, making sure you tell us about your project management experience as well as what you could bring to our business.

If you’d like to discuss the role further, please contact Lauren Roberts on 07920 492 222.

Equality and diversityOPM Group has made a commitment to promoting equality and diversity in all our work. We have a full programme of activities to support continuous improvement, including regular briefings for all members, training for managers and practice exchange sessions.

Job description

PurposeWe are looking for a Consultant to join our Evaluation and Impact team. This role involves managing and delivering a range of projects, including evaluations drawing on qualitative and quantitative data. Consultants are expected to support Senior Consultants, to run small project teams. As an experienced project manager (minimum one year’s experience), the Consultant provides general project management, analysis and report writing, facilitation and coordination support.

Main responsibilitiesPlease note this job description is intended as a general guide and is not exhaustive. It may be reviewed according to future requirement and business needs.

Delivery Maintain good client relationships, including effectively liaising with clients and

communicating with clients, partners and sub-contractors on a day to day basis.

Designing and implementation data collection tools and evaluation methodologies.

Supporting the analysis and writing for project reports, including handling qualitative and quantitative data.

Managing budget and timeline; delivering project milestones; keeping administration up-to-date and clear following internal procedures.

Setting up surveys, including design and setting up using specific software; monitoring response rates and analysing findings.

Setting up databases and accessing and interrogating existing databases.

Designing interview topic guides, recruitment materials, workshop materials, data collection templates and analytical frameworks.

Undertaking data collection activities, including liaison with participants, facilitation of small groups and supporting facilitation of large events (training will be offered), telephone, online and face-to-face interviews.

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Analysis and triangulation of data.

Maintaining clear and accurate computer and paper records following ISO 27001 processes

Undertaking/supporting the administration of meetings and events

Using appropriate IT packages in relevant aspects of project work, including specialist research and consultation software.

Meeting personal targets, project deadlines and expected quality standards.

Providing efficient and high quality project coordination and project management.

Business Development Contributing to the process of proposal writing (e.g. through conducting background

research into policy and other drivers relevant to the focus of the specification in question, drafting proposals, attending pitches).

Participating in other business development and marketing activities including events and seminars, blogging etc.

Following OPM Group quality assurance processes for projects in order to maintain high standards.

Other Supporting the effective delivery of projects across the full range of OPM Group’s

business. This will include providing research, consultation, engagement, change management, organisational development and coordination support.

Undertaking any other appropriate duties as required.

Understanding and actively supporting our policies on Equality and Diversity.

Actively promoting charter behaviour internally and externally with clients.

Key relationships Project director/team members

Wider project teams including IT/temps/associates

Clients, partners and other key stakeholders

Line manager

Other members of the OPM Group

The post holder should meet regularly with their line manager to review performance and personal development.

The post holder will come into contact with all members of staff, and is expected to attend OPM Group days - such as members’ days and the annual retreat.

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Salary Up to £35,000

Person SpecificationEssential Desirable

Training and Education

Good relevant under-graduate degree or equivalent qualification.

Relevant higher degree or other post-graduate qualification

Experience Experience in using evaluation methodologies in an applied setting.

Experience in complex analysis, triangulation of data, and report writing in an applied setting.

Experience of managing multiple tasks effectively.

Experience in a fast pace professional environment.

Experience of quantitative analysis.

Experience of facilitation or engagement work.

Skills and knowledge

Excellent project management skills.

Excellent organisational skills.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, including report writing and presentations.

Very good knowledge and experience of using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Strong analytical skills.

Familiarity with databases.

Accurate data entry skills.

Understanding of any of the following policy areas:

Health

Social care

Education

Early years

Complex families

Third sector / VCS

Good quantitative analysis skills.

Knowledge of social media and understanding of how they may be applied across the range of OPM Group’s work.

Experience of using specific tools, such as SPSS, SNAP, NVivo and other software or technology-based processes

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supporting research and engagement activities.

Experience of handling and analysing large datasets.

Able to produce high quality reports using visual techniques and methodologies.

Behavioural skills

Able to act on own initiative. Self-motivated and good at managing time and workload in a fast-paced commercial consultancy environment.

Excellent customer service and client awareness.

Able to work well with diverse client and community groups.

Able to work collaboratively with colleagues.

Enthusiasm for learning.

Exceptional attention to detail.

Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure and willingness to ‘do what needs doing’ when timescales are tight.

Able to cope with a high degree of ambiguity.

Flexible – willing to work on different types of project and across different sectors.

Special circumstances

Willingness to travel on occasion.

Willingness to work occasional unsociable hours.

General A commitment to OPM Group ownership and governance model.

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A commitment to the values of OPM Group and to observing the OPM Group charter.

Ability to behave in a manner consistent with principles of fairness and equality, supporting the implementation of our Equality and Diversity policies.

Selection ProcessYou will need to complete an application form and return it to recruit@opm.co.uk. Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

If your application is taken forward, you will be invited to attend an interview and to complete some assessment tasks.

If you are successful in your application, we will conduct verbal and/or written reference checks with your approval. We will need to see your original birth certificate and/or passport as well as your educational certificates. We will also request your completion of an occupational health questionnaire. When the enquiries are completed satisfactorily, OPM Group will make a formal offer of appointment

Our provisional recruitment schedule is:

Deadline for applications Monday 1 February 2016

Preliminary Interview Friday 12 February 2016

Second interview and assessments Friday 19 February 2016

Skills testing of disabled applicantsApplicants who satisfy the minimum standards of the role may be asked to take a number of ability tests before being progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process. These include online numerical and verbal reasoning assessments supplied by a psychometric test provider. If an ability test has a feature that, in the opinion of the applicant, places a disabled person at a substantial disadvantage to other candidates, the OPM Group agrees to take such steps as is reasonable to mitigate the disadvantage.

Should an applicant be able to demonstrate their ability for the role as laid out in the job description (able to meet the minimum standards of the role as outlined in the necessary column in the person specification), by any alternative method, this will be given due consideration by the OPM Group.

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The OPM Group agrees that should disabled applicants meet the minimum requirements of the job and are able to demonstrate their competency through ability tests or any other comparable method; they will be given an automatic right to interview.

Terms and ConditionsA full copy of the terms and conditions of employment at OPM Group is distributed upon appointment.

Employees are entitled to 30 days leave per year plus statutory bank holidays.

You will have the opportunity to contribute to a pension scheme.

LocationYou will work at 252B Gray’s Inn Road, WC1X 8XG (near King’s Cross and St Pancras stations).

The OPM Group CharterWorking with you to improve social results

The OPM Group is committed to improving the quality of life for all communities by working with clients and the public to help them achieve the social results they desire.

As a member of the OPM Group:

I am committed to delivering high quality work and to helping to achieve social results.

I am committed to my own development to sustain and increase my contribution to the OPM Group, and expect others to provide appropriate support and opportunities.

I will behave with integrity, honesty and courtesy at all times, and expect the same from others.

I will contribute to providing a productive and supportive working environment, and will ask for and offer support when it is needed, and expect others to do the same.

I will be fair and open in my expectations of others, and expect the same from them.

I will take responsibility for reflecting and demonstrating the values of the OPM Group outside the organisation.

All members of the OPM Group are expected to uphold the charter in the organisation, and be active in ensuring its principles and values underpin all our behaviours, work and the continued success of the organisation.

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