Evaluation Officer – Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) is recruiting an Evaluation Officer to join its Evaluation Team in Bristol.
This is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity for someone interested in social research, evaluation and evidence-based policy. You will support evaluation projects that help the OfS understand the impact of its regulatory work, improve decision-making and strengthen learning across the organisation.
Important sponsorship information: The Office for Students does not hold a UKVI Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence. Skilled Worker sponsorship is therefore not available for this vacancy.
Job Details
- Employer: Office for Students (OfS)
- Job title: Evaluation Officer
- Location: Bristol – Lime Kiln Close, Stoke Gifford, Filton Abbey Wood
- Salary: £37,614 – £38,577 per year
- Contract: Fixed term
- Duration: 12 months
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Jobs available: 1
- Reference: 483176
- Closing date: Monday 12 October 2026 at 12 noon
About the Role
The Evaluation Officer will work with experienced evaluation professionals to support the design, delivery and commissioning of research and evaluation projects.
Working alongside an Evaluation Manager, you will help teams understand how evidence can be used to improve regulatory interventions and contribute to an evidence-based learning culture across the organisation.
Evaluation work may cover areas including:
- Access and Participation Plans
- Higher education quality
- Free speech
- Financial sustainability
- Consumer protection
The team uses impact and process evaluations, including theory-based approaches, theories of change and mixed-method research designs.
As your experience develops, there may be opportunities to take the lead on smaller areas of work.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Scope, design, deliver and commission evaluations of OfS activities.
- Manage external suppliers involved in evaluation projects.
- Provide advice, support and quality assurance to evaluations led by other teams.
- Help teams and senior decision-makers learn from evaluation findings.
- Facilitate learning and reflection activities.
- Engage stakeholders and translate findings into practical actions.
- Conduct data collection and qualitative analysis.
- Support the development of an evaluation-focused culture.
- Deliver internal training sessions and presentations where appropriate.
- Write blogs and contribute to embedding evaluation into organisational processes.
- Keep up to date with relevant research and evaluation developments.
- Share research and evaluation knowledge with colleagues.
- Take notes at formal meetings, workshops and steering groups.
Who Can Apply
The role is suited to candidates looking to develop a career in evaluation or social research who can demonstrate relevant practical experience.
Relevant academic or professional backgrounds may include:
- Social sciences
- Economics
- Public policy
- Psychology
- Applied research
The key requirement is practical experience with relevant social research and evaluation methods.
You should also be organised, proactive and collaborative, with an interest in using evidence to improve practice and impact.
Essential Requirements
Applicants should have:
- An undergraduate degree containing a relevant research component, or equivalent experience.
- Good knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
- Familiarity with evaluation concepts and methods.
- The ability to critically assess research methods and findings.
- The ability to take initiative while recognising when issues should be referred to others.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to produce high-quality work under pressure.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
- The ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate with colleagues.
- A strong interest in evaluation, evidence and learning.
Desirable Experience
The following would be advantageous:
- A relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience.
- Experience developing theory of change models for social policy activities.
- Experience analysing qualitative or quantitative data using R, SPSS, NVivo or MaxQDA.
- Experience managing external contracts and suppliers.
- Experience facilitating discussions with people from different backgrounds.
- Experience delivering training or presentations.
- Policy or research experience relating to regulation, higher education or the public sector.
- Knowledge of quasi-experimental or theory-based evaluation approaches, including their strengths and limitations.
Working Pattern and Hybrid Working
The Evaluation Team works on a hybrid basis and regularly comes together in person at the Bristol office.
Colleagues are expected to spend several days working from the office during a typical week, balancing organisational requirements, collaboration and individual responsibilities.
Flexible working options, including job share and part-time working, are available.
Salary and Benefits
The salary is £37,614 – £38,577 per year.
The role includes:
- Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97%.
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Learning and development opportunities.
- Professional development support.
- Flexible working options.
- Health benefits.
- An inclusive working environment.
- Opportunities to develop skills and experience within the Evaluation Team.
The OfS states that its pension contribution is approximately £10,896, based on the stated salary.
Visa Sponsorship and Right to Work
Skilled Worker sponsorship is NOT available for this vacancy.
The Office for Students states that it does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.
Applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship should therefore not rely on this vacancy for sponsorship and must already have an appropriate right to work in the UK under the applicable rules.
Application and Selection Process
Applicants are required to submit:
- A CV of no more than 2 pages outlining relevant qualifications and experience.
- Responses to two application questions.
A cover letter is not required.
The application questions are:
1. Using relevant examples, summarise how your social research/evaluation experience makes you an ideal candidate for the role. Maximum 200 words.
2. Give an example of research or an evaluation you have been involved in. Explain the impact of the research/evaluation and what you or your team could have done to increase its impact. Maximum 200 words.
Applicants should ensure that examples and statements are truthful, accurate and based on their own experience. The employer states that applications may be withdrawn where plagiarism is identified.
Candidates who progress will complete a one-hour online task between Friday 23 October and Monday 26 October 2026.
Successful candidates will then be invited to interview, with interviews scheduled for the week commencing 9 November 2026.
Reasonable Adjustments
The OfS is committed to making its recruitment process accessible.
Applicants who require reasonable adjustments can contact the Recruitment Team:
Email: RecruitmentTeam@officeforstudents.org.uk
Telephone: 0117 931 7444
Security and Eligibility
Successful applicants will be required to undergo a basic or equivalent criminal record check.
Candidates working with government assets must also complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.
Eligibility is subject to the applicable Civil Service nationality and right-to-work rules, including provisions covering eligible UK nationals, Irish nationals, certain Commonwealth nationals, qualifying EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and other eligible groups.
Closing Date
Monday 12 October 2026 at 12 noon
Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted through the Office for Students recruitment website.
Source: Civil Service Jobs / Office for Students
Job reference: 483176