Evaluation Manager

Money & Pensions Service; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme matched contributions

Hybrid working

Cycle to work scheme

Life assurance

Job summary

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is seeking an Evaluation Manager to lead our evidence-driven evaluation programme for community-based debt advice. Based in Bedford with hybrid working, you will shape how financial wellbeing services are delivered across the UK and collaborate with external partners to turn learning into improvements.

You will design and oversee major evaluations, manage governance and procurement, and provide expert challenge to ensure robust methodologies and meaningful

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing, commissioning and managing complex evaluations that influence policy and service delivery.
• Experience in managing procurement processes and governance (GDPR, data sharing, risk management).
• Experience coordinating external research, evaluation, or learning partners with performance management and QA.
• Expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Experience with Theory of Change models and logic frameworks.
• Ability to translate complex evidence into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills for technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Strong stakeholder relationship skills across internal and external partners.
• Exceptional organisational skills managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic evaluations for major programmes and ensure robust methodologies and outcomes.
• Oversee procurement and onboarding of Learning Partners and manage governance.
• Translate evaluation findings into practical recommendations for commissioning and service delivery.
• Build partnerships with external organisations and drive continuous learning and impact.
• Identify evidence gaps and develop innovative approaches to inform strategy.

Skills

Evaluation design

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Qualitative & quantitative methods

Communication

Policy impact

Relationship building

Organisation & prioritisation

Education

Qualifications in evaluation/research methods/data analysis

Job description

Evaluation Manager

c. £58,000 per annum

Bedford

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Are you passionate about using evidence and insight to improve services and outcomes?

We're looking for an Evaluation Manager to join our Insight & Evaluation team at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS).

In this role, you'll lead the evaluation and learning programme for our newly commissioned Community-Based Debt Advice (CBDA) programme, working with external partners, grant-funded organisations and internal stakeholders to ensure evidence is turned into practical improvements.

Reporting to the Senior Insight Manager, you'll build strong partnerships, drive continuous learning, and help shape how financial wellbeing and debt advice services are delivered across the UK.

Role Overview

The Evaluation Manager will report directly to Senior Insights Manager. In this role, you will be responsible for:

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Strategic Evaluations:
  • Design, commission, and oversee major evaluation projects, including flagship programmes such as CBDA.
  • Manage the procurement and onboarding process of new Learning Partners, including complex governance and commercial processes.
  • Oversight of our Learning Partners, ensuring high quality delivery against outcomes
  • Provide strategic evaluation oversight and expert challenge to ensure robust methodologies and meaningful outcomes.
• Drive Learning and Improvement:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, ensuring delivery against agreed objectives and KPIs.
  • Translate evaluation findings into practical recommendations that continuously improve commissioning, grant management, and service delivery.
  • Use evidence to demonstrate impact, improve outcomes, and inform future service delivery.
• Influence Through Evidence:
  • Identify evidence gaps and develop innovative approaches to address them.
  • Transform complex research findings into clear, accessible insights that inform decision-making and strategy.
  • Stay updated with emerging evaluation techniques and best practices.
• Contribute to Sector-Leading Resources:
  • Support the development of tools and resources that promote evidence-based practice across the sector.

Required Skills & Experience

You will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience.

To excel in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

• Proven experience in designing, commissioning, and managing complex evaluations that influence policy and service delivery.
• Experience in managing complex procurement processes, and robust governance frameworks (including GDPR compliance, data sharing agreements and risk management).
• Strong experience managing external research, evaluation, or learning partners, including performance management and quality assurance.
• Expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Experience with Theory of Change models and logic frameworks.
• Ability to synthesise complex evidence into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of presenting technical information in an engaging and accessible way.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to influence a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Relevant qualifications or significant professional experience in evaluation, research methods, or data analysis.

Desirable

• Experience in financial wellbeing, debt advice, money guidance, or related sectors.

About Us

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK.

• Caring
  We care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.
• Connecting
  We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.
• Transforming
  We are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.

Our Inclusive Working Environment

By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to “bring their whole selves to work.”

Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men’s health, ethnicity, and diversity.

What We Offer

• Generous Annual Leave – 30 days plus Bank Holidays
• Pension scheme – contributions matched 2 to 1 (up to 10% of your salary)
• Interest-free loan for season tickets for buses and trains
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs
• Life assurance scheme
• Give as you earn schemeEmployee assistance programme (EAP)
• PAM Assist and PAM Life scheme (Wellbeing)
• Enhanced family and sick pay
• Paid volunteering (2 days a year)
• Recognition Scheme
• Discounts portal to numerous retailers

Flexible Working

At MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work. As standard, we work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. Hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and our headquarters in Bedford will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Career Development

In MaPS, we take career development seriously. We actively encourage and support applications from our existing MaPS colleagues. However, we do follow the Civil Service Commissioner recruitment principles, which means that you will be required to participate in a full, open, and fair process.

Important Information About Applying

To make sure your application reaches us safely, please submit it only through our official MaPS application links.

Applications sent via third‑party or unauthorised websites, or emailed directly, unfortunately can’t be considered.

Please also note that MaPS is unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

Reserve List

If you are successful at interview, we operate a reserve list where your details will be held for up to 6 months. Should a vacancy come available in that time with the same essential criteria, reserve list candidates will be offered that position with no further assessment required.

Job Reference: MaPS01264

Close Date: 13/09/2026