Belong to Something Amazing...
Catalyst is seeking a Project Evaluation Officer to support the delivery and impact of our
Open Innovation Teams work. In this role, you will work closely with project teams to
track progress, assess outcomes, and generate insights that help shape programme
development and continuous improvement. You will play a key role in collecting and
analysing data, preparing clear and timely reports, supporting impact measurement
and storytelling, and ensuring that learning is shared across teams and stakeholders.
Your analytical mindset and attention to detail will help ensure our programmes remain
evidence-based, effective, and aligned with Catalysts mission to make innovation
accessible and impactful for businesses of all sizes and sectors. You will also
contribute to strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems, supporting knowledge
sharing, and helping communicate the wider impact of our programmes to funders,
partners and stakeholders.
About the Project:
This is a PEACEPLUS funded project. As Project Evaluation Officer, you will be
responsible for monitoring and evaluating the impact of two significant CR&D projects,
NWCAM2 and ONEHEALTH.
The NWCAM2 project revolutionises the Health and Life Sciences sector by
empowering SMEs to adopt advanced, sustainable manufacturing processes and
technologies. Addressing the region's shared challenges, it bridges gaps in R&D
adoption, technological capacity, and cross-border collaboration. By focusing on
additive and digital manufacturing and next-generation materials, NWCAM2 fosters
innovation and accelerates the transition to net-zero operations. Its dual approach
(combining both three-year deep dive R&I projects and shorter one-year SME-focused
implementations) leverages expertise across Northern Ireland and Ireland to drive
sustainability, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance SME competitiveness. Delivering
30 groundbreaking projects, the initiative promises transformative impact on
productivity, sustainability, and global market presence.
The ONEHEALTH project pioneers a transformative approach of integrating human,
animal, and environmental health to address critical public health and agrifood
challenges. Through strategic cross-border collaboration across Northern Ireland and
the Republic of Ireland, ONEHEALTH leverages AI and data integration to drive
innovation, improve health outcomes, and fuelling economic growth. Partnering with
the Momentum One Zero City Deal Innovation Centre, the initiative unites SMEs,
research institutions, and health and agrifood systems to overcome limited
collaboration and scalability issues. Its dual-strand approach combines deep AI
research with a fast-paced, engineer led, accelerator programme, delivering
ground-breaking solutions and positioning the region as a global leader in One Health
innovation.
About Catalyst:
We are a non-profit organisation that supports science and technology innovation in
Northern Ireland with buildings and hubs in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry where
companies can use our flexible workspaces to operate from. We use the profits
generated from our property portfolio to deliver entrepreneurial support programmes,
facilitate funding, inform policy and accelerate technology-based research and
development, by linking with academia and government.
Working at Catalyst:
A certified Great Place to Work® and recognised as one of the top 100 Workplaces in the
UK for 2024, receiving awards for Best Place to Work, Best Workplace for Development,
Best Workplace for Employee Wellbeing, and Best Place to Work for Women, Catalyst is
one of Northern Irelands most exciting employers.
With a strong vision of Opportunity for all from world-leading innovation, this is a
workplace brimming with ambition to create social, cultural, and economic advantage.
We are a force for good, bold in our approach with integrity at our core and passion in
everything we do.
Diversity and Inclusion at Catalyst:
Diversity and inclusion arent boxes to tick on a CSR list. At Catalyst, they are part of our
DNA, lived, breathed, seen, and heard across our community, projects, and co-working
spaces.
We not only want to foster and empower a culture of innovation, but also an
environment where people can be their true, authentic self and thrive, and we are proud
to be recognised by the Diversity Charter for achieving silver status, with ambitions to
progress to Gold.
As an equal opportunity employer, we recruit based solely on the individuals ability to
perform the role, and thats allowed us to create an inclusive workplace which
celebrates the diversity of our teams and community.
Key Information:
- Full time, posts funded until 30th September 2029
- Attractive benefits package including flexible working options
- Competitive salary between £34000 - 38000 depending on qualifications and
experience.
- Options to be based in either Belfast or Derry-Londonderry
Employee Perks:
- Competitive Benefits Package including Private medical insurance for you and
your dependents
- Generous pension contribution
- Generous life assurance policy
- Enhanced parental leave packages
- Free open access to company organised events
What are we looking for?
We are looking for a skilled Project Evaluation Officer to design and implement
frameworks that track the impact of our innovation programmes. You will collect and
analyse data, produce clear reports, translate findings into actionable insights, and
provide insights to inform programme improvements and strategic decision-making.
The ideal candidate will have experience in evaluating large-scale projects, strong
analytical skills using tools like Excel, and the ability to communicate findings to both
internal and external stakeholders. A proactive, organised approach, strong written
communication skills, and experience with donor reporting or PEACEPLUS programmes
are highly desirable.
Main Goals:
1. Design and implement monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks that
support project objectives and enable effective impact measurement, learning,
and continuous improvement
2. Ensure data-driven insights guide programme delivery, continuous improvement
and policy recommendations.
3. Work closely with Project Managers, project teams and partners to ensure
funding requirements, reporting obligations and compliance milestones are met
accurately and on time.
4. Contribute to the continuous improvement of project activities through timely
reporting, stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing, and the effective
communication of project impact, outcomes and learning.
Core Responsibilities:
Monitoring and Reporting:
1. Develop systems for collecting, analysing, and interpreting qualitative and
quantitative data.
2. Review and continuously improve monitoring, reporting and data collection
processes to ensure they remain effective, proportionate and aligned across
projects where appropriate.
3. Monitor progress against project goals and provide regular updates to senior
management and stakeholders.
4. Prepare comprehensive M&E reports that highlight key findings, challenges, and
recommendations.
5. Develop and maintain reporting tools, timelines and processes to support
project delivery, compliance requirements and effective decision-making.
Evaluation Activities:
1. Lead the development of tools and methodologies for measuring project
outcomes and impact.
2. Oversee internal evaluation activities and ensure findings are integrated into
programme adjustments and continuous improvement activities
3. Collaborate with external evaluators to ensure alignment with project objectives.
4. Support the development of impact frameworks, indicators and narratives that
demonstrate project outcomes and longer-term impact.
Stakeholder Engagement:
1. Present M&E findings to project teams, advisory committees, and external
partners.
2. Act as a point of contact for donor organisations and regulatory bodies regarding
project evaluation and reporting requirements.
3. Work collaboratively with project teams, partners and internal stakeholders to
embed evaluation, learning and impact measurement across project activities.
4. Support the coordination of reporting, evidence collection and compliance
activities with project teams and partners.
Learning and Dissemination
1. Document and share lessons learned through workshops, reports, publications
and learning briefs.
2. Support knowledge-sharing initiatives to enhance capacity within the project
team and partner organisations.
3. Translate evaluation findings into accessible insights, case studies and impact
stories for a range of audiences, including funders, partners and stakeholders.
4. Contribute to the development of knowledge management approaches that
support evidence gathering, organisational learning and the sharing of good
practice across projects.
5. Identify opportunities for cross-project learning and support the sharing of
insights, approaches and good practice across Catalyst programmes and
partner organisations.
Daily Tasks:
1. Collect, process, and validate data from programme activities.
2. Facilitate team meetings and discussions with project teams and partners to
review progress, sharing learning and refine approaches. Draft and deliver
reports for internal use, funder requirements and external dissemination.
3. Coordinate reporting timelines, evidence collection and compliance activities
across project teams and partners.
4. Maintain compliance with donor reporting requirements and support audit and
evidence-gathering processes.
5. Produce learning briefs, case studies and other materials that communicate
project outcomes, impact and learning.
6. Provide technical support and guidance for teams implementing data collection
and monitoring tools.
7. Maintain organised records and evidence to support project reporting,
evaluation and knowledge-sharing activities.
Essential Criteria:
- At least 2 years proven experience in monitoring and evaluating large-scale
projects.
- Proficiency in using Excel.
- Excellent communication, presentation and report-writing skills.
- Strong ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Experience developing, implementing or improving monitoring, reporting or
evaluation processes.
- Ability to translate data and evaluation findings into clear insights and
recommendations for internal teams and a range of audiences.
Skills and Qualifications:
Desirable Skills:
- Sector specific knowledge.
- Familiarity with evaluation standards or previous PEACEPLUS experience.
- Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government and civil
society.
- Experience developing impact reports, case studies or other evidence-based
communications materials.
- Experience working within multi-partner or cross-border projects.
Core Competencies:
- Analytical thinking with attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity.
- A collaborative approach to team engagement.
- Strong organisational and planning skills.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly to different audiences.
- Proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
- Ability to build relationships and work effectively across multiple teams and
stakeholders.
Special Requirements:
- Proof of right to work in the UK.
- On occasions to work evenings and weekends.
- Full current driving licence or access to transport.
Criteria may be enhanced to aid shortlisting. Exceptional candidates who do not meet
the criteria may be considered for the role provided they have the necessary skills and
experience.
