Research and Impact Manager

Do it Now Now (DINN) is an open innovation organisation committed to the social empowerment to Black people through the provision of access to opportunities for social mobility through entrepreneurship and employment. We bring skilled talent, charities, social entrepreneurs, start-up teams, social innovators, investors and philanthropists together to address social challenges, solve problems and support the development of under-served groups.

 We have an unrivalled track record in understanding and supporting Black people’s needs through research and the programmes we have delivered. Our team has deep experience and knowledge in the design and delivery of training programmes, with 3 of the skills programmes we have designed being named Top in Europe by the Financial Times’ imprint Sifted in 2019. Our not-so-secret method is our propensity to put our participants at the heart of everything we do, underpinned by a strong impetus to collaborate with partners with sector knowledge. This is why we have received such praise as “I felt like I was doing an MBA in 4 months”, in relation to our business training program. We regularly receive 4 to 5 stars out of 5 from our community members and all have said they will recommend our programs to a friend. We are very proud of our community feedback.

About the role

Our research activities are often centred on our initiatives: 

• Common Call: a community of leaders in social enterprises and charities, this programme seeks to offer funding opportunities and skill development for the Black community. 
• AfriTech XYZ: a community of African founders and entrepreneurs working on tech solutions to local problems.
• My Moon Landing: a community of Black women, LGBTQ+, and non-binary people, MML offers support through events and mentorship.
• Do it Now Now: the hub for our reports, news, and success stories of our key programmes. 
• Black and Good: a community of Black entrepreneurs and founders in the UK, this programme offers support through online training and events. 
• Voltage Revolution: a community of 18-24-year-olds. This community is served by online training programmes and events designed to help young people gain employability skills and ultimately work within the tech and creative industries.
• Melding: we provide consultancy and training to charities and social enterprises to help them improve their Diversity and Inclusion practices
• Centre Black: a research centre focused on improving access to high quality research focused on the UK’s Black community.

Purpose of the role

Our goal is to provide sector leading insight regarding what works for the empowerment and engagement of Black communities in a number of different contexts. Starting from our home base, our own initiatives, we want to share our insights and learnings with interested parties while also actively feeding back those learnings into our own work for increased impact. We’re looking for an experienced researcher and project manager who is ready to take the bones of what we have developed and turn it into something that can make a real long-term impact in the third sector, and beyond.

Support Do it Now Now to manage, learn from, and demonstrate the impact of our work:

• Develop impact measurement processes in line with best practice in the industry
• Support the research and legal ethics of processes
• Manage and coordinate a variety of impact measurement projects within the organisation.
• Support strategic direction and continued development of our impact driven work
• Lead development and delivery of our theory of change and evaluation plans
• Support the innovation teams to use external evidence in programme design 
• Develop data and measurement tools
• Conduct case study visits and interviews
• Conduct internal evaluation meetings
• Analyse evaluation data
• Write evaluation and impact reports for internal and external audiences
• To carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, as requested by your line manager.

Experience

• Experience of qualitative and quantitative research techniques, in addition to specific evaluation expertise, including developing theories of change and outcomes monitoring.
• Experience of applied evaluation within a community setting.
• Experience of making pragmatic decisions about the application of research principles to real-life situations, making good judgments in a variety of situations
• Experience of dealing with sensitive information

Knowledge, skills and understanding

• Ability to use Theory of Change / Logic Model/ Outcomes Framework
• Understanding of research principles including sampling, validity and reliability, and statistical analysis
• Ability to develop quantitative research tools (e.g. surveys) and the ability to analyse quantitative data, including using Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets
• Ability to develop qualitative research tools (e.g. focus groups, interview structures) and the ability to analyse qualitative data
• Understanding of social value and return on investment
• Knowledge of research ethics, safeguarding and GDPR
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation and time management skills
• Ability to train others through workshops
• Well-developed IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Cloud based tools like Google Drive, Notion, Monday etc
• Understanding and empathy with the needs of Black people and the work of Do it Now Now
• Understanding of the delivery context of Black-led organisations and the issues affecting them
• Ability to work within budgets and minimise costs

About you

• You’re highly organised and self-motivated. 
• You are an ambitious leader. You recognise the importance of what we are trying to achieve and see your role in that. 
• You’re resourceful. You know how to find things, solve things, answer questions, reach people.
• You are passionate about the cause. You have a demonstrated interest and motivation to support young Black people to succeed in the digital and creative industries.
• You have sound judgement. You work independently, and when faced with issues react calmly and logically.
• You're a positive, solutions-oriented, and entrepreneurial individual with a drive for excellence.
• You can engage remotely and with autonomy.
• You’re a team player and manager, with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Do it Now is dedicated to believing that all lives have equal value. We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. We also believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve—in race, gender, age, cultures and beliefs—and we support this diversity through all of our employment practices.

Thank you for your consideration.