EL1 Program Evaluation Specialist

HorizonOne; Canberra; On-site; AUD 124,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

HorizonOne Recruitment Pty is seeking an experienced program design and evaluation professional to lead evaluation-ready processes for government programs. You will develop logic models, theory of change, and performance measures, translating policy objectives into causal pathways and advising on delivery.

You will run workshops with stakeholders to align purpose and outcomes, build staff capability, and produce briefs and reports that meet Australian Government standards.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in program logic, theory-based design and evaluation methodology.
• Significant experience in program design, evaluation, performance reporting or similar roles.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking, synthesising evidence into structured models.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, leading workshops and influencing decisions.
• High-level written communication, creating logic diagrams, briefs and guidance.
• Ability to manage complex tasks with autonomy and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of APS governance and performance reporting frameworks.
• Experience applying Australian Government policies and frameworks.
• Commitment to psychologically safe workplace and diversity & inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of program logic models and data matrices.
• Translate policy objectives into clear causal pathways with inputs, outputs and outcomes.
• Provide authoritative advice on design, measures, risks and evaluation requirements.
• Facilitate workshops to build common understanding of program purpose and delivery.
• Ensure logics align with government frameworks and risk/evaluation standards.
• Lead and contribute to monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators and data needs.
• Build staff capability in program logic and evaluation design.
• Prepare high-quality briefs, presentations and reports.

Skills

Program logic

Evaluation design

Evaluation methodology

Stakeholder engagement

Workshop facilitation

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Autonomy

Policy frameworks

Governance knowledge

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Public policy / evaluation education

Job description

Our client is a federal government body that funds research across Australia through competitive grant programs.

Those programs have recently been through a policy review, and the organisation is building a clearer evidence base for what each program is designed to achieve and how it will be measured.

The Opportunity

You'll lead an evaluation-ready process for the organisation’s programs, developing clear, evidence-based program logic models and giving strategic advice on outcomes, theory of change, performance measures and evaluation planning.

You'll translate complex policy objectives into causal pathways and run workshops that help internal stakeholders agree on what each program is for and how it will be delivered.

You'll have a chance to:

• Lead the program logic and evaluation approach, rather than support someone else’s
• Give authoritative advice on program design, performance measures, risks and evaluation requirements
• Run workshops that build shared understanding of program purpose, outcomes and delivery assumptions
• Build the program logic and evaluation capability of staff across the organisation
• Work with a high degree of autonomy on programs aligned to the organisation’s strategic direction

The Role

This is a specialist program design and evaluation role, covering everything from program logic models through to monitoring and evaluation plans.

You'll be:

• Leading the development and implementation of program logic models and data matrices
• Translating complex policy objectives into clear causal pathways, setting out inputs, outputs, and intended short-, medium- and long-term outcomes
• Providing authoritative advice on program design, performance measures, risks and evaluation requirements
• Facilitating workshops with internal stakeholders to build shared understanding of program purpose, outcomes and delivery assumptions
• Ensuring program logics and related products align with Australian Government frameworks, organisational strategies, evidence bases, risk frameworks and evaluation standards
• Leading and contributing to monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators, data requirements and methodologies
• Building the capability and understanding of staff in program logic and evaluation designPreparing high-quality briefs, presentations and reports.

The Ideal Person

You’re an experienced program design professional who can turn ambiguity into structured, well-understood program models.

You work with a wide range of stakeholders so the logics you build are understood and supported.

You will bring the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrated expertise in program logic, theory-based design and evaluation methodology
• Significant experience in program design, evaluation, performance reporting or similar roles
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to synthesise evidence and turn ambiguity into structured program models
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to lead workshops and influence decision-making
• High-level written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear logic diagrams, frameworks, briefs and technical guidance
• The ability to manage complex tasks and competing priorities, meet deadlines and work with a high degree of autonomy
• A strong understanding of APS governance, accountability and performance reporting frameworks
• Demonstrated experience applying relevant Australian Government policies and frameworks
• A commitment to contributing to a psychologically safe workplace and supporting diversity and inclusion

It's also desirable if you have:

• A current Baseline security clearance
• Qualifications in public policy, evaluation, social sciences, economics or a related field

Salary / Rate

• $90/hr - $120/hr + Super
• 12-month contract
• Canberra-based

HorizonOne is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and we encourage applications from people of all cultures, capabilities and backgrounds.