Senior Research Fellow Impact Consultant Job London area,Greater London England UK,Research/Development

Location: Greater London

Job Details:
Senior Research Fellow Impact Consultant Background

The Senior Research Fellows (SRF) programme is a core component of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) Research Secondment and Academic Advisory Programme (ReSAAP), which aims to strengthen access to world‑leading academic expertise to support evidence‑informed policy and programming. The SRF programme embeds senior academics within FCDO teams to provide strategic advice, critical challenge, and technical leadership, while also strengthening connections to wider research networks and global expertise.

The Research Commissioning Centre (RCC) plays a key role in the delivery of the SRF programme, supporting recruitment, contracting, and ongoing management of the programme including identifying and onboarding SRFs, helping to expand the cohort and improve alignment with FCDO priorities. As the programme has matured, it has demonstrated clear value in enhancing access to expertise and supporting policy engagement.

However, evidence of SRF contribution remains largely qualitative and retrospectively captured. Programme reviews and stakeholder feedback have identified the need for a more structured and proportionate approach to evidencing impact, particularly in the context of value for money and future programme design.

Purpose

To design and deliver a practical, proportionate impact framework and tools for the SRF programme that:

Strengthen evidence of the contribution and value of the SRF role
Support the Annual Review, including developments to the Logframe, and strategic decision‑making
Provide a repeatable approach for future cohorts

Objectives

Develop an SRF Impact Framework

Define key domains for outcomes from the SRF programme and corresponding areas of impact (e.g. policy, capability, networks, system effects)
Align with the existing Logframe, FCDO outcomes and VfM expectations
Propose opportunities for longer‑term impact measurement

Generate Evidence of SRF Outcomes

Conduct targeted stakeholder interviews (fellows, hosts, programme leads)
Capture qualitative insights, including longer‑term and system‑level effects. Develop case studies to capture SRF outcomes

Develop Practical Tools

Case study template (core method)
Light‑touch monitoring/logging approach, aligned to the Logframe
Guidance for consistent application
4–6 high‑quality case studies
Recommendations for embedding sustainable impact measurement

Scope

In Scope

Document review (programme materials, previous reviews)
10–15 stakeholder interviews
Development of:
- Impact framework
- Case study methodology
- Light‑touch tools
Drafting case studies
Practical recommendations
Cross‑sector engagement with other funders managing and monitoring and evaluating Fellows models

Out of Scope

Full programme evaluation
Quantitative impact modelling
Large‑scale data collection
System‑build or digital tools

Approach

A light‑touch, phased approach:

Phase 1 – Scoping & Design (approximately 5–6 days)

Refine scope, framework, and approach; agree refined approach with FCDO and RCC
Desktop review and gathering other available resources on systems for Fellow impact frameworks
Schedule key interviews with SRF programme leadership

Phase 2 – Evidence Gathering (approximately 10–12 days)

Conduct interviews
Develop initial case studies

Phase 3 – Synthesis & Outputs (approximately 6–7 days)

Finalise framework and tools
Produce case studies and recommendations

Deliverables

The consultant will produce the following:

Impact Framework (short report)

Case Study Pack (4–6 examples)

Monitoring Templates and Guidance

Final Synthesis Report, including:

Key findings
Recommendations for sustainability

Timeline

Start:
As early as possible
End:
Mid‑October 2026
Outputs to feed into:
- Annual Review (November 2026)
- Level of Effort / Budget – 20–25 consultancy days
- Budget: up to £10,000

Roles and Governance

RCC
- Day‑to‑day coordination
- Quality Assurance
FCDO Leads
- Direction and validation
- Sign‑off
Consultant
- Delivery of all technical outputs

Consultant Profile

The consultant will bring a combination of technical expertise, policy awareness, and the ability to develop practical tools to track outcomes. Specifically, they will demonstrate:

Relevant experience in…