Place Impact Researcher

We are seeking x3 Place Impact Researchers: supporting North Essex, South Essex or South West Essex, as well as thematic Essex wide programmes. 

Active Essex Foundation is a successful and growing charity dedicated to creating the conditions for young people and communities across Essex to thrive. Our work focuses on three core areas: improving young people’s mental health, reducing vulnerabilities to youth crime and exploitation, and strengthening communities through trusted relationships and positive engagement. We collaborate with a network of over 100 community organisations and local partners to design and deliver programmes that use physical activity, mentoring and community support as tools to build resilience, improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities. Everything we do is shaped by the real experiences of the people we serve, ensuring our interventions are meaningful, accessible and rooted in what communities tell us they need.

These roles will be embedded within Active Essex.  Active Essex is the strategic partnership for physical activity and sport across Greater Essex, working with local authorities, health partners, voluntary sector organisations and communities to create the conditions for active lives. Through a place-based approach, Active Essex brings together insight, evidence and local collaboration to tackle inequalities and improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

The Place Impact Researcher will gather, analyse and apply insight, research and evaluation evidence to support programmes, partnerships and place-based activity. The postholder will work closely with delivery teams, communities, partners and funders to demonstrate impact and turn learning into action. The ideal candidate will bring strong relationship-building skills and experience of working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders. They should demonstrate a track record of delivering impactful projects or initiatives at local or county level, applying a systems approach to complex community issues, and using strengths-based methods to build resilience and capacity within local organisations.

Place Impact Researchers will be professionally aligned to the Insight & Evaluation Team for methodology, quality assurance and development, whilst receiving operational direction from their specialist area. This approach ensures strong local integration whilst maintaining consistent research standards.