Research, Evaluation and Impact Senior Manager

Research, Evaluation and Impact Senior Manager

About Our Organisation:

Youth Off The Streets is a not-for-profit youth organisation that provides safety, support and opportunities for young people to build a positive future. We offer crisis accommodation and housing services, alternative high school education, alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth justice support, life skills and employment programs, cultural support and community engagement, among other services. We focus on early interventions that empower young people and strengthen communities.

The Role:

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Research, Evaluation and Impact Senior Manager is responsible for delivering the roadmap for the Impact Measurement Strategy and connected initiatives of the YOTS Five Year Strategy for research, monitoring and evaluation, and impact. The role will focus growing organisational capability through embedding policies, protocols and practices across YOTS; driving evidence informed practice; and contributing to YOTS’ policy and advocacy approach through the production of research, evaluation and insight reports.

Key Responsibilities:

Research, evaluation and impact: 

• Working with the Research and Evaluation Specialist, and colleagues across the business drive the strategic development and implementation of effective frameworks and systems to demonstrate the short, and long-term impact of YOTS’ services and programs.
• Oversee and contribute to the development of theories of change/program logics for YOTS’ programs and services that clearly define measurable outcomes and develop performance metrics to evaluate results.
• Lead the organisational program of evaluation of YOTS’ programs and services including ensuring the design of appropriate methodologies to gather and analyse data, and produce informed, evidence based, high quality evaluation reports.
• Lead key research pieces for YOTS to contribute to the evidence base of complex needs of children and young people at risk and use evidence-based outcomes and data to inform relevant government policy.  Produce high quality reports/papers for peer review and submissions. 
• Build relationships with universities, sector advocacy groups and other service organisations and actively seek opportunities to collaborate through research, insight reporting and evaluation opportunities.
• Ensure good governance through design of ethical and culturally appropriate policy and data systems for research, evaluation, and reporting frameworks.
• Partner with colleagues across different teams to support advocacy platforms and revenue targets by delivering high quality research and evaluation reports, and research insights that demonstrate the impact of YOTS’s programs and services for children and young people. 
• Seek out externally expertise to continually evaluate YOTS impact and research strategies and practices to ensure currency and impact.
• Oversee the design, delivery and monitoring of programs, systems and processes to build impact measurement capability and embed a culture that values research, evidence, and evaluation. 
• In collaboration with service/program owners lead the development of plans for impact measurement including implementing performance assessment tools and techniques. Analyse outcomes and make recommendations to owners of programs/services to support evidence based informed practice. 

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Develop and manage the annual Research, Evaluation and Impact budget and forecasting processes, in liaison with the Head of Fundraising and in reference to the YOTS strategic plan.
• Prepare and present management reports to the Chief Operating Officer that monitor the ongoing effectiveness of research, evaluation, and impact activities.

People Management:

• Lead, manage, coach, and develop a high-performing team that delivers on the strategic targets of the department and the organisation.
• Model values-aligned and inspirational leadership to promote a healthy team culture.
• Effectively recruit and induct new team members. 
• Maintain a safe workplace by ensuring adherence to YOTS Work, Health and Safety policies and procedures and relevant legislation.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant organisational policies and procedures.

Selection Criteria, includes but is not limited to:

Essential:

• Degree qualifications in social or behavioural sciences, evaluation, or another relevant discipline with a strong evaluation component
• Experience in implementing impact management strategies including experience designing and undertaking program evaluation
• Experience in conducting high quality research to demonstrate impact and influence / inform government policy
• Experience working collaboratively across a wide range of stakeholders to deliver complex, high-quality products under tight timelines and competing priorities
• Ability to communicate complex information, including evaluation findings, for diverse audiences in ways that are clear, concise and compelling
• Demonstrated success in continuous improvement, change leadership and change management

Desirable:

• Knowledge and understanding of the policy context and challenges supporting   children and young people with trauma and complex needs.
• Skills using diverse systems technologies for data capture and evaluation analysis
• Experience identifying and defining data needs to inform data system design.

Skills and knowledge:

• Demonstrated aptitude for strategic thinking, problem solving and decision making
• Ability to liaise confidently, build rapport and positively influence key stakeholders at all levels
• Analytical thinking, proficient in data analysis, organisational performance metrics and reporting and ability to communicate organizational insight.
• Strong initiative and demonstrated ability to work autonomously
• Demonstrated high standard of professionalism and leadership and always act in the best interest of YOTS
• A passion to commit to the YOTS mission, values and internal policies and a desire to make a difference to the lives of at-risk Young People

What we can offer you:

• A supportive team environment
• Career progression and development pathways
• EAP for yourself and your family
• Salary packaging up to $15,900
• Rewards and benefits program

To Apply 

Please ensure you enclose a copy of your resume with your contact details and cover letter addressing the following questions (2 pages maximum):

1. Describe a significant research project you have led that involved evaluating the impact of a program or initiative. What methodologies did you use, and how did you ensure the reliability and validity of your findings?
2. How do you approach the development of an evaluation framework for a new program? Provide a detailed example of how you have designed such a framework, including the outcome measures and data collection methods you employed.
3. Building internal engagement and capability is a key aspect of this role. Describe a time when you successfully developed and implemented capacity-building initiative for research and evaluation within an organisation. What strategies did you employ to ensure its sustainability and effectiveness?

At Youth Off The Streets, diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our people. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities we serve.

Youth off The Streets is an EEO Employer and a child safe organisation. YOTS is committed to providing a safe environment where all children and young people are treated with respect and are protected from harm. We have zero tolerance for child abuse.

This is a rare opportunity to join a passionate and high profile not for profit organisation that values the current youth of today and the youth of tomorrow.

The successful candidate will be requested to submit applications for a NSW Working With Children Check and Police Check. You will also be required to have a valid Australian Drivers Licence and unrestricted Australian working rights.

We encourage people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to apply for this position.