University of Salford

Arts Council England; Salford; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Arts Council England is seeking an independent evaluator or team to assess Re-centre, Salford’s Creative People and Places programme. You will design the evaluation framework, refine the Theory of Change, measure progress and impact, and support learning for programme development with the programme director and partners.

The contract runs January 2027 to 30 April 2029. Key outputs include a Place-based Needs Analysis, SWOT, interim and final reports, and multiple annual Impact & Insight Toolkit

Qualifications

• Experience in developing evaluation frameworks and Theories of Change.
• Ability to analyse and synthesize qualitative and quantitative evidence.
• Participatory approach that values community knowledge and supports learning and adaptation.
• Ability to work collaboratively while providing independent judgement and constructive challenge.
• Strong communication skills for presenting findings to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop an evaluation framework with the Programme Director and Board, aligned with Re-centre's aims, Business Plan, Theory of Change and ACE requirements.
• Review and refine the Theory of Change.
• Develop a Place-based Needs Analysis and SWOT in collaboration with the Programme Director.
• Establish proportionate monitoring and evaluation processes, develop resources and train the team to use them independently.
• Provide independent analysis, reflection and challenge, assessing progress, outcomes and impact.
• Support Action Research through planned learning and reflection with the delivery team.
• Identify evidence-gathering priorities, attend team meetings and visit programme activities.
• Produce interim and final reports, at least two annual Impact & Insight Toolkit evaluations and two case studies per year.

Skills

Evaluation frameworks

Theories of Change

Qualitative & quantitative analysis

Participatory approach

Independent judgment / critical think

Communication skills

Job description

Job Summary

Undertake the independent evaluation of Re-centre, Salford’s new Creative People and Places programme. Develop its evaluation framework, assess progress and impact, and support community-led learning to inform programme development.

Job Description

Re-centre is Salford's new, city-wide Creative People and Places (CPP) programme, funded by Arts Council England (ACE) and led by the University of Salford with Salford City Council, Salford Community Leisure, The Lowry and Salford CVS. It is the first phase of a ten-year vision for community-led culture, with £750,000 in ACE funding and £300,000 confirmed match funding.

Re-centre aims to enable more people to shape and participate in their communities' cultural life. Cultural democracy, community voice and locally rooted activity are central to its approach.

We are seeking an experienced independent evaluator or team for January 2027 to 30 April 2029. The commission will establish an evaluation framework, refine the Theory of Change and assess progress, outcomes and impact, including the programme's contribution to Salford's communities and cultural infrastructure.

Working with Re-centre's Programme Director, delivery team, communities and partners, the evaluator will establish proportionate monitoring and evaluation processes, develop resources and train the team to take increasing responsibility for routine monitoring and data collection. They will provide independent analysis, constructive challenge and planned learning to inform programme development.

Key outputs include a Place-based Needs Analysis and SWOT, interim reports in May 2027 and May 2028, a final evaluation report by 30 April 2029, at least two annual Impact & Insight Toolkit evaluations and two case studies per year.

Fee: £30,000 inclusive of travel and VAT
Contract: January 2027 to 30 April 2029
Proposal deadline: 11:59pm, Sunday 22 November 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 7 December 2026

Job Requirements

We are looking for an independent evaluator with experience in arts, cultural, community-led or place-based programmes. You will bring:

- Experience of developing evaluation frameworks and Theories of Change

- Ability to analyse and synthesise qualitative and quantitative evidence

- A participatory approach that values community knowledge and supports learning and adaptation

- Ability to work collaboratively while providing independent judgement and constructive challenge

- Strong communication skills, including presenting findings clearly to different audiences

Job Responsibilities

The Independent Evaluator will:

- Develop an evaluation framework with the Programme Director and Board, aligned with Re-centre's aims, Business Plan, Theory of Change and ACE requirements

- Review and refine the Theory of Change

- Develop a Place-based Needs Analysis and SWOT in collaboration with the Programme Director

- Establish proportionate monitoring and evaluation processes, develop resources and train the team to use them independently

- Provide independent analysis, reflection and challenge, assessing progress, outcomes and impact

- Support Action Research through planned learning and reflection with the delivery team

- Identify evidence-gathering priorities, attend team meetings and visit programme activities

- Produce interim and final reports, at least two annual Impact & Insight Toolkit evaluations and two case studies per year

See the full evaluation brief for the complete scope and deliverables.

• Job Title: Independent Evaluator - Re-centre, Creative People and Places programme
• Artform: Combined arts
• Role: Research
• Contract: Contract
• Location: North West

Re-centre and the Salford Creative People and Places Consortium are committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. We welcome proposals from evaluators with a range of experiences and perspectives.