Evaluation Specialist Contractor - Devon
We are pleased to invite tenders for an exciting freelance opportunity to support the Saving Devon’s Native Crayfish Project (SDNCP) as an Evaluation Specialist, under contract with the Wildwood Trust.
Contract Details
Title: Evaluation Specialist
Start Date: 1st June 2025
End Date: 31st December 2026
Contract Value: Estimated £7,500 inclusive of VAT, exclusive of travel
Travel Reimbursement: £0.45 per mile
Estimated Time Commitment: 20 days (7.5-hour days) throughout the contract period
Closing Date: 28th May 2025
Project Background
The white-clawed crayfish is the UK’s only native crayfish species and is critically endangered, particularly due to invasive species and associated pathogens like crayfish plague. In Devon, only two wild populations remain, making their protection urgent and essential. The SDNCP is a collaborative effort between Wildwood Trust, the National Trust, South West Water, and other partners, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
This role will play a crucial role in the project by working closely with the project staff and crayfish specialists to design and deliver a comprehensive project evaluation.
Role Overview
The contractor will be responsible for designing and delivering a comprehensive evaluation of the SDNC (Save Devon's Native Crayfish) project, in line with the National Heritage Lottery Fund’s current guidance on evaluation. This role requires close collaboration with project staff, crayfish specialists, and a range of stakeholders to ensure that both the successes and challenges of the project are fully captured, assessed, and communicated.
Key Responsibilities
- Evaluation Planning: Work alongside project staff and crayfish specialists to design a robust evaluation plan for the SDNC project.
- Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: Develop a framework that outlines project outputs and outcomes to be monitored, agreed data collection procedures, relevant indicators for both qualitative and quantitative data, and a reliable structure for measuring the impact of the project.
- Evaluation Toolkit Development: Create a user-friendly toolkit, including documents and templates, to enable the delivery team to gather and manage data confidently and consistently across a range of project activities.
- Mid-Term Review: Conduct a light-touch review of the project’s progress to date, assessing effectiveness, efficiency, and development of the project and its team. Provide recommendations to ensure that delivery and evaluation plans remain appropriate and effective for the remainder of the project.
- Final Evaluation Report: Produce a comprehensive report summarizing achievements against project aims and objectives, assessing long-term legacy, reviewing delivery mechanisms, and capturing key learnings. This report will incorporate:
- The mid-delivery review
- Insights from project documentation (e.g., original bid, supporting documents)
- First-hand observations from project activities and events (including at Wildwood Devon and in schools)
- Feedback from stakeholders, project partners, volunteers, and visitors through consultations and interviews
- Collaboration and Reporting: The contractor will work closely with the project team, partners, participants, and volunteers throughout the evaluation process. Regular reporting will be made to the Project Manager (Wildwood Trust’s Conservation and Education Manager), with additional support provided by the wider project team and a steering group.
Essential Criteria
- Previous experience writing and/or co-ordinating final evaluation reports for NHLF grants
- Proven track record or providing evaluation services to the third sector
- An understanding of natural heritage and nature conservation projects
- Experience in interviewing and reviewing feedback from a broad range of stakeholders
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work with a wide range of people
Other Requirements and deliverables
- Communicate regularly with the Project Manager and Wildwood staff via telephone, online and in person meetings
- Liaise and communicate with project partners and key supporters to ensure comprehensive project evaluation is undertaken and provide timely updates and reports to all relevant organisations where required.
- Attend and contribute to project steering group meetings where required
- It is envisaged that the number of hours spent per week on the project will vary over the duration of the contract. The contractor must be flexible and be able to commit to varying levels of input throughout the contract period to meet the needs of the project
Tender Submission Guidelines
To apply, please submit:
- A current CV and portfolio of previous relevant work
- A supporting statement detailing your:
- Suitability for the role
- Track record and relevant experience
- Proposed methodology and delivery plan
- Added value or potential links with other initiatives
- A fixed daily rate (based on 7.5 hours), inclusive of VAT but excluding travel
- Quotes should include a full breakdown of costs
- A list of relevant qualifications
- CVs and experience summaries for all personnel involved (if applicable)
Tender Evaluation Criteria
Value for Money – 25%
Approach and experience – 50%
Capacity to Deliver – 25%
We welcome applications from individuals or small teams with the relevant expertise and passion to help safeguard this endangered species through impactful education and engagement.
Closing date: Midday on Wednesday 28th May 2025
If you wish to quote for the above service, please submit your response by the date specified using the contact details below. Please note that email is the preferred method of response, but postal responses are also accepted.
Charlotte Mead - Saving Devon’s Native Crayfish Project Manager
Telephone - 01404 822188
Email - charlotte.mead@wildwoodtrust.org
Address - Wildwood Devon, Escot Park, Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1LU.
Contract Conditions
- The Wildwood Trust does not bind itself to consider or accept the lowest or any Quotation.
- Any Quotation shall constitute an offer made to the Wildwood Trust and shall remain open for acceptance for a period of 90 days from the closing date for submission of offers and will not in the meantime be withdrawn. Prices are to be submitted by the Offeror on the basis of the Specification.
- This offer and any contract arising from it shall be subject to the Wildwood Trust Terms and Conditions.
- Following award of contract, the successful contractor will supply a confirmed programme of works prior to work commencement to be agreed by both parties. This should include a breakdown of the project costs, material specifications/volumes to be supplied, the estimated project duration and an agreed completion date.
- The Wildwood Trust is keen to ensure that all contractors meet the necessary quality and competency requirements throughout the contract period. The contractor must comply with:
- Biosecurity measures: Ensure all machinery, tools, and personal equipment, including boots and clothing, is clean and free from any soil or organic material.
- CDM Regulations 2015: https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/index.htm
- All other relevant environmental and health & safety legislation.
- The contractor is required to carry out risk assessments for the site.
- The contractor is responsible for providing the following documents prior to starting work at all sites:
- Task based risk assessments.
- CoSHH risk assessments (if applicable).
- Lone working procedure (if applicable).
- Emergency schedule and procedure.
- Regular site meetings will be the basis of managing the contract although additional meetings can be requested by either party at any time within a reasonable time period.
- All fuel/chemicals to be stored in bunded tanks or bowsers. All chain oil to be biodegradable.
- Anti-pollution equipment to be available on site at all times.
- It is the responsibility of the contractor to remove and dispose of correctly, any rubbish generated during works.
- The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring that the site is run in a professional manner, taking into account all relevant legislation.
The Saving Devon’s Native Crayfish project is managed by the Wildwood Trust (Devon) and is funded through National Heritage Lottery Fund. The project is also supported by South West Water.