Evaluation - Clywedog Valley Project

Groundwork North Wales (GWNW) are about to embark on the delivery phase of their National Lottery Heritage Fund project. Key to ensuring the learning and outcomes of the project are fully captured, but also the future sustainability of the sites, Groundwork North Wales (GWNW) is seeking an experienced and qualified Project Evaluator to lead on evaluation of the delivery phase.

The Project Evaluator will support the client in the refinement of the evaluation framework/methodology, setup of monitoring procedures, gathering of data, and data analysis and reporting. Working closely with the project team, the Evaluator will gather and analyse qualitative and quantitative data and ensure feedback from target audiences, volunteers and community partners is embedded into the project.

The role will also support legacy planning by combining findings into a final summative report that highlights impact and supports on going decision making. The Evaluator will: a) Implement and review the Clywedog Valley Evaluation Plan developed during the development phase, using the evaluation framework and Theory of Change to guide consistent data collection across all programme strands and milestones. b) Coordinate and carry out evaluation activities using mixed methods such as surveys, interviews, reflective sessions, and ensure creative feedback tools (e.g. visual, audio, co-designed) are tailored to priority audiences. c) Work collaboratively with the Project Manager and delivery team to embed evaluation into the design and delivery of public programmes, community events, training activities, and how the organisation is changing. d) Engage with the Clywedog Valley Partnership, stakeholders and staff to co-reflect on outcomes, ensuring community voices are actively informing evaluation findings. e) Facilitate reflective practice among the project team at key intervals to support adaptive learning and internal review to understand the organisational change achieved and the changes needed for the delivery of the project. f) Analyse quantitative and qualitative data to assess performance against agreed outcomes, including TNLHF outcome areas. g) Produce interim reporting to support funder updates, steering group reviews, and internal decision-making. h) Prepare a final summative evaluation report that synthesises key findings, articulates the project’s impact, and offers recommendations for legacy planning, and future programming. i) Support the public sharing of learning where relevant.

This may include contributing to communications content, visual summaries, presentations, or articles. OUTPUTS The Evaluator will be expected to deliver: a) Attend an inception meeting with the Project Manager to confirm methodology, refine the Evaluation Plan, and agree delivery milestones. b) Produce a revised Evaluation Schedule with agreed data collection touchpoints and delivery intervals. c) Produce interim reports of key findings and recommendations for ongoing evaluation activities embedded across project strands (e.g. training, public events, volunteer programmes, youth engagement). d) Summary outputs for use in funder reporting and steering group updates (e.g. interim evaluation snapshots or short internal briefs at agreed milestones). e) A final summative evaluation report (c. 25–30 pages) that documents project outcomes, includes evidence of impact, and provides forward-looking recommendations for the Clywedog Valley engagement strategy f) Contribution to public-facing evaluation outputs in collaboration with the Project Manager and GWNW Communications Manager.