Do you want to play a key role in an organisation which stands up for children? Join us as a Senior Evidence and Learning Adviser and help us to unlock our understanding of the ways in which we can reduce the impact of poverty on children's lives and support their early learning outcomes.

Every child has the right to ensure that their basic needs are met, and to receive the encouragement and help which enables them to reach their full potential. The greatest barrier to this in the UK is poverty and inequality. Our mission is to secure a sustainable reduction in the number of children growing up in poverty and work to narrow the early learning gap between those children and their better off peers.

We believe this future is possible. It requires more money to be put back into the pockets of parents and carers, decent jobs, more opportunities for young children to play and learn, and policies and services which centre children and families' needs, reduce discrimination, and that are designed to help children to flourish in their earliest years..

We work closely with the communities we aim to support. We recognise their diversity and strengths as well as the challenges they face, and we aim to reflect their diversity and experiences in our UK staff team.

The UK Evidence and Learning team generates evidence that enables us to secure changes to policy and practice, in every nation of the United Kingdom. Through our work, we demonstrate what is effective in improving lives for children and families; we collect evidence directly from children and families to help us understand how current practice affects their lives; we develop and test promising, sustainable interventions in communities; and we gather and synthesise evidence from local partners, organisations in our sector, and academia. We draw on all this learning to work with colleagues to influence decision-makers and advocate for policy and practice change, with and on behalf of families.

As a Senior Evidence and Learning Adviser, you will:

• Develop strategies for generating evidence and learning, especially (but not exclusively) focussing on qualitative research, participatory practice and other open research and intelligence gathering approaches.
• Undertake primary research and evaluation, analysis and evidence syntheses.
• Support teams to implement evidence strategies, building their capacity and confidence to support evidence and learning practice and ensuring that the approaches put in place are rigorous and practical.
• Support teams in developing and using theories of change and outcomes frameworks; and using data in all its forms to describe the impact of our work.
• Capture and disseminate our data and learning.

To be successful you will:

• Hold expertise in evaluation and evidence generation across a wide range of methods, although we are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with a strong technical background leading qualitative, ethnographic, innovation and participatory research practice.
• Have experience of and be confident in undertaking evaluation and research with both children and families and with marginalised groups.
• Hold expertise in learning and improvement methodologies and have experience of using data and evidence for improvement.
• Hold strong analytical skills, be able to interpret complex data and make it meaningful to others.
• Be adept at developing relationships and working with a wide range of individuals, teams and in different policy and practice contexts.
• Be a confident and experienced user of data analysis software, such as Nvivo or Atlas.ti

This is 14 month, fixed-term, maternity cover role. This contract is longer than 12 months to enable a smooth transition between the two roles.

Diversity & Inclusion 

To help us attract and encourage applications from a wide range of people, we are holding an open information session so that you can find out more about working at Save the Children, the UK Impact team and our vision and mission for children in the UK.

This will be held in early December and you can sign up for that here

Save the Children UK is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work both external and internal. We strive to be an inclusive employer and particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups such as returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people who are LGBT+, from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, with a disability, impairment, learning difference or long-term condition, with caring responsibilities, from different nations and regions, and from less advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.

At Save the Children we are committed to the safeguarding and protection of children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children are recruited to work for us. This post is subject to a range of vetting checks including a criminal records disclosure.

If you share our belief in the power of children, join the fight. It takes relentless determination, creativity, and a commitment to real change. Because every child should be able to make their mark on their world and help to build a better future. We look forward to hearing from you.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Interviews are expected to take place in the week of 6th of December.

Remote Working:

The majority of SCUK employees are currently working remotely within the UK in line with UK Government guidance. Commencing July 2021 we will transition to flexible and hybrid ways of working (i.e. a mixture of remote/home and office-based working) as social distancing restrictions ease.We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work both external and internal. We strive to be an inclusive employer and particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups such as returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people who are LGBT+, from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, with a disability, impairment, learning difference or long-term condition, with caring responsibilities, from different nations and regions, and from less advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. 

• Work as the CEO for a leading South Wales Students' Union
• A thriving organisation based in the heart of Cardiff

About Our Client

Based in the Capital city of Wales, Cardiff Metropolitan University has been providing Higher Education since 1865. The University is currently ranked in the top 100 in the UK and provides a best in class Higher Education provision to over 12000 students annually.

Cardiff Met SU is a registered charity with the aim of delivery an outstanding student experience to its members. We represent students' interests, provide opportunities for students to develop themselves and gain new skills. We fully support a wide range of societies and through our SU Sport, provide sporting opportunities for over 1300 students.
We have been consistently ranked in the top twenty BUCS rankings in the UK. We are an inclusive friendly organisation and we pride ourselves on the support we provide for our students through our committed team of officers, representative and staff.

Whilst we work collaboratively with the University with a jointly approved Relationship Agreement, we remain independent as a democratically led charity.

The past 2 years have been challenging; we have certainly faced some difficult decision both in terms of the business and within the context of the student experience from Freshers through to graduation taking on a different look. In the coming year, rebuilding the clubs and societies in addition to delivering an outstanding student experience will be a challenge but one the Students Union must address.
As Chief Executive you will have the opportunity to develop and deliver a new strategic plan for the Union.

Identifying new of working post pandemic and delivering representation and service delivery.

You will understand the importance of student leadership and be able to demonstrate the ability to support, guide and challenge our elected officers.
 

Job Description

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong strategic leadership skills as well as being commercially minded to join Cardiff Met SU as their next CEO.

The CEO is the senior member of the permanent staff at the SU and is the principal advisor to the Students' Union President, Officer Team and Board of Trustees. As well as the CEO for the SU, the CEO also holds the role of Managing Director of the Futura Marketing and Promotions Ltd, a trading subsidiary of Cardiff Met SU.

The CEO develops and leads the strategic direction of the SU ensuring it meets the needs of the diverse membership as well as internal and external stakeholders.

Leading a group of Senior Managers, Professionals and Student staff, the CEO is responsible for spearheading new initiatives across the SU. The CEO is also responsible for ensuring all areas of strategic importance are identified and addressed. This will be done through appropriate consultation and negotiation to challenge high profile issues affecting the membership.

The CEO will support the Students' Union Officers, have oversight of Governance, ensure that the elected leadership of the Cardiff Met Students' Union are the key decision makers and that the organisation policy reflects this.

The CEO will be responsible for enhancing the internal and external reputation of the Students' Union. They will also act as a source of continuity and network extensively within the University, local community and all other stakeholders, forging effective partnerships and utilising best practice.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO is accountable for the management, development and longer-term sustainability of the Students' Union and for providing the highest level of support to the elected leadership.

The CEO has direct responsibilities and accountabilities as a result of the organisations charitable status with the Charity Commission and for ensuring compliance with requirements set out in Charity Law. The CEO is also the accountable individual to Cardiff Metropolitan University for Health and Safety and enacting relevant policies which affect the Students' Union in all areas of legal and financial compliance.

Cardiff Met SU is a great place to work and the and we take pride in what we do to contribute to our members whilst they are at Cardiff Met and it is important that our CEO embraces this approach and nurtures it across all parts of our organisation.
 

The Successful Applicant

You will be an inspirational leader and be able to evidence putting people at the heart of everything you do.

You will be financially astute and be able to demonstrate driving commercial revenue within a membership based organisation.

Strategically minded and adaptable to a fast moving higher education sector.

What's on Offer

A base salary in the range of £60,000 - £65,000 per annum,

35 days personal leave entitlement,

Flexible working arrangements,

Excellent benefits package.

Closing date for Applications: Friday 17th December 2021 at 12.00

Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.

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