Evaluation Consultant (Freelance)

DisabilityArtsOnline Limited; Manchester; A distancia; GBP 4400 - 5400; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Without Walls is seeking an independent consultant to review current evaluation methods and design a robust, organisation-wide evaluation framework for the 2027-2032 strategic plan. The work runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027 and is remote, with a possible in-person meeting in Manchester.

Collaboration with the CEO and Head of Festival Partnerships is essential. The role is short-term and strategic, not delivery-focused, and aims to hand over a sustainable framework to the permanent

Formación

• A strong track record of designing evaluation frameworks, ideally for publicly-funded cultural organisations.
• Experience of both quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods, and of interpreting and presenting data to a range of audiences.
• A practical, collaborative approach, and experience of designing frameworks that can be sustained in-house by small teams.
• Ability to work independently and confidence working at a strategic level with senior leadership.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to produce clear documents for a range of audiences.

Responsabilidades

• Review existing evaluation materials and identify strengths, gaps and duplication.
• Develop a robust evaluation framework aligned to the 2027-2032 plan and theory of change.
• Create a toolkit of templates and feedback forms for partners, artists, and participants.
• Provide recommendations on audience data collection via Illuminate and on the Evaluation & Data Manager role.
• Conduct a handover session to enable post-handover implementation.

Conocimientos

Framework design

Data analysis

Stakeholder communication

Independent work

Written communication

Descripción del empleo

ABOUT THE ROLE

Without Walls is seeking an independent consultant, or a consultancy company, to review our existing evaluation methodologies and support the design of a robust, organisation-wide evaluation framework for the period of our 2027-2032 strategic plan.

The framework will enable us to capture the learning, successes and impact of our programmes; to inform strategic planning and organisational learning; and to demonstrate the value of outdoor arts to funders, partners and other stakeholders.

This is a short-term, strategic consultancy rather than a delivery or management role.

The appointed consultant will design the framework and tools. Without Walls is recruiting a permanent Evaluation and Data Manager to manage the framework on an ongoing basis. The key deliverable for this project is therefore that the framework can be handed over and operated by that post holder and the wider team.

The appointed consultant will work independently, in close collaboration with the Chief Executive and the Head of Festival Partnerships.

KEY INFORMATION

Closing Date:12pm (midday), Tuesday 27 October 2026

Contract Type: Temporary Freelance

Fee: £4,900 (+VAT if applicable) for the delivery of the outlined work. This corresponds to a total of 14 days of work at a daily fee of £350. Days per week to be worked flexibly, according to the needs of the postholder and organisation. Where a consultancy company applies as a team, the £4,900 fee covers all team members and days combined.

Timeline and key dates: The work is to be carried out between 1 November 2026 and 31 January 2027.

Location: Remote, with a possible in-person meeting at the Without Walls offices in Manchester during the period of the contract. All travel and accommodation costs required for attending in-person meetings will be covered by Without Walls in accordance with our Expense Policy.

Managed by: Without Walls Head of Festival Partnerships

Access requirements: We ask candidates to share their access requirements with us so we can make any reasonable adjustments if needed. Where an access worker is needed to carry out the responsibilities outlined in this document, the candidate will be asked to have the necessary Access to Work arrangements in place before the start date.

SCOPE OF WORK

We are looking for an independent consultant, or a consultancy company, to deliver the following:

1. Review

A review of existing Without Walls evaluation materials, including current feedback forms, reports, data collection processes across festival partners, artists, participants and audiences, identifying strengths, gaps and duplication.

2. Evaluation Framework

A robust evaluation framework for measuring the reach, quality and impact of Without Walls’ programmes and activities, aligned to the objectives of the 2027-2032 strategic plan and to our theory of change.

A clear methodology setting out what is measured, how, by whom and at what points in the programme cycle.

3. Tools and Templates

A practical toolkit of template evaluation forms and feedback mechanisms for use with festival partners, artists, and participants.

Guidance enabling the templates and tools to be used consistently across the team.

4. Recommendations

Recommendations on our approach to audience data collection via Arts Council England’s Illuminate platform, including guidance on supporting partners and effectively demonstrating audience reach across the network.

Recommendations on the scope, skills and priorities of the permanent Evaluation and Data Manager role, to inform the post holder’s role and responsibilities.

5. Handover

A handover session with the Without Walls team to introduce the framework, tools and supporting guidance, ensuring the organisation can implement and sustain the approach independently.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Essential

A strong track record of designing evaluation frameworks, ideally for publicly-funded cultural organisations.

Experience of both quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods, and of interpreting and presenting data to a range of audiences.

A practical, collaborative approach, and experience of designing frameworks that can be sustained in-house by small teams.

Ability to work independently and confidence working at a strategic level with senior leadership.

Strong written communication skills, including the ability to produce clear documents for a range of audiences.

Desirable

Familiarity with the outdoor arts, live events or broader cultural sector.

Knowledge of Arts Council England’s funding frameworks and NPO reporting requirements, including familiarity with the Illuminate platform.