Job vacancy – Evaluation Consultant at National Paralympic Heritage Trust

Between 2021 – 2023 we want to have ongoing independent evaluation of the work of the National Paralympic Heritage Trust (NPHT) enabling us to reflect, reshape and move forward ensuring we meet the needs of our existing and potential supporters.

We are looking to appoint a dynamic consultant/company to help us on this exciting and challenging journey, who shares our inclusive values and with energy for positive change.

Background

The National Paralympic Heritage Trust was formed in 2015 to gather, protect and share the unique, and inspirational heritage of the British Paralympic Movement, the remarkable story of driven individuals and human endeavour that changed the World for disabled people, their friends and families, and the wider public.

Our purpose is to celebrate, cherish and bring the heritage to life, in a compelling and evocative way, securing a legacy, feeding a growing public interest since London 2012, changing attitudes and instilling national pride.

Although our remit is ‘National’ there is considerable international interest in our work as we hold all the early collections of the Paralympics being the birthplace of this inspirational movement.

The NPHT is a registered Charity 1165416.

The Trust received a 5-year National Lottery Heritage Fund grant in April 2017 to create:

• An accredited collection and archive is our priority.
• A permanent heritage centre at Stoke Mandeville Stadium (recognised worldwide as the birthplace of the Paralympic movement and opened in April 2019
• A virtual museum (website)
• Modular regional exhibitions
• Engagement and outreach programmes

We are now in the 4^th year of this programme of work having already achieved a lot with an additional year of activity including some additional exciting project work taking us through to January 2023. We need to take stock, look at our achievement to date, review our achievement against planned outcomes and outputs, and tweaking our delivery and thinking about our future sustainability going forward.

Our founding partners are the British Paralympic Association, WheelPower – British Wheelchair Sport and Buckinghamshire Council. Our key funders are the National Lottery Heritage Fund, HS2 and the Rothschild Foundation Impact Grants.

Our wider partners are numerous but central to delivery of our outcomes are Bath University and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park London (QEOP). Looking to the future the QEOP is where we would like to develop further permanent displays (2023-27) celebrating the UKs unique Paralympic Heritage and in particular sharing the exciting collections from London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The Audiences:

The audiences we are aiming at, in order of priority are:

• Disabled people, their families and friends
• Disabled associations and trusts and their members
• Disability sports organisations
• Specialist spinal injury hospital centres
• Sporting heritage interest groups
• Further Education (with a focus on universities offering sports degrees and research)
• Schools (special, primary and secondary)
• The general public

Purpose of the Contract – Objectives, information needs, methodology, outputs and timescales

Aim:

The aim of this work is to carry out evaluation work from 2020 to 2023 that will provide the required feedback to funders and help direct us as we move forward.

We have carried out in house evaluation on an ongoing basis, including evaluations of key events, evaluation forms, interviews with key individuals and groups. All of which will be made available to the appointed consultant/company.

To deliver this the appointed consultants/company will need to

• Reflect on/evaluate achievements to date against original outputs and outcomes and revise monitoring processes where required.
• Carry out further evaluation that can help shape the delivery of future work to meet user needs and build long-term loyalty.
• Contribute to the future vision of the Trust through our development strategy 2020-2027
• Create interim and final evaluation reports

Please note any research will be both qualitative and quantitative. All work must consider the access needs of our audiences.

Reporting Requirements

You will be part of the overall NPHT team, liaising with other consultants including the Communications Consultant and the Digital Content Manager (website). You will report up to once a year directly to the National Paralympic Heritage Trust Board of Trustees and on a day-to-day basis with the CEO, providing monthly updates.

Timescales

April 2021 to end of March 2023

Budget

Up to £12k inclusive of VAT over two years. Travel expenses can be agreed separately. Please consider charity rates when quoting a fee.

Submission of Proposals

The deadline for submission 5pm Wednesday 17 March 2021

Respondents are asked to outline:

• A proposed programme of work and timetable and fee.
• Their relevant skills and experience including case studies of similar work carried out for other companies/charities.
• The details of the team members including their relevant experience and professional qualifications.
• The details of any sub-contracted companies/consultants, names and relevant experience.
• Proof of professional indemnity insurance.
• The details of two references

Proposals and enquiries should be emailed to the Administrator at the email address: Amy.coleman@paralympicheritage.org.uk

Enquiries and informal conversations with the CEO at the email address Vicky.hopewalker@paralympicheritage.org.uk

Successful respondents will be invited to an interview on Thursday 25 March 2021.

Supporting documents

Supporting documents that can be made available:

• Year 3 review and review summary
• Evaluation documents Norwich, Cartwright Hall and Cliffe Castle, and Gunnersbury Park
• Outputs NLHF, HS2 and Rothschild Foundation