Job summary
Working as part of the new cluster made up of BSW, Dorset and Somerset ICB's.
We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled evaluation professional to take on the role of Qualitative Evaluation Senior Lead within the Population Health Improvement Directorate.
The role provides senior leadership for the design and delivery of qualitative evaluation activity across the Cluster, ensuring that the voices, experiences and perspectives of people who use services, carers, communities and frontline staff are embedded within strategic assessment, service improvement and decision-making.
The post holder will use a range of recognised qualitative methods, including interviews, focus groups, observations and rapid appraisal approaches, to generate meaningful insight that complements quantitative evidence and supports population health improvement. Working closely with colleagues across population health, commissioning, business intelligence, strategy, transformation and health economics, the post holder will lead the development of high-quality qualitative evaluations, ensuring that findings are robust, accessible and used to influence service redesign, resource allocation and improvement priorities.
The role will also support the development of evaluation capability across the organisation through methodological leadership, guidance and shared learning.
Main duties of the job
- Lead the design and delivery of qualitative evaluation programmes using recognised methodologies such as interviews, focus groups, observations and thematic analysis
- Ensure the experiences and perspectives of service users, carers, communities and staff inform strategic planning and improvement activity.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across population health, commissioning, business intelligence, strategy and transformation to support mixed-method evaluations and evidence-based decision-making.
- Oversee the quality, consistency and ethical delivery of qualitative evaluation work, including governance, documentation and the handling of sensitive information.
- Produce high-quality reports, presentations, case studies and summaries that communicate findings clearly and effectively to stakeholders and senior leaders.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with service users, community groups, partner organisations and system stakeholders.
- Provide specialist advice and methodological support to colleagues, strengthening qualitative evaluation capability across the directorate.
- Contribute to the development of evaluation tools, frameworks and guidance to support continuous improvement and consistent evaluation practice.
- You will be an experienced evaluation professional with substantial expertise in qualitative research and evaluation methodologies, together with a passion for using insight to improve services and outcomes.
About us
The Cluster Integrated Care System, with a formal merger planned for April 2027 Under the Model ICB Blueprint and the 10 Year Health Plan, ICBs will adopt a more strategic commissioning role, focusing on population needs, reducing inequalities, and delivering the three shifts as defined in the 10-year health plan, all while operating within strict financial limits.
The new organisation will operate on a larger scale with a revised vision and purpose, managing a commissioning budget of around £8 billion. Our role as a strategic commissioner is to transform our local NHS through exceptional commissioning and build an innovative health system fit for the 21st century that truly meets our communities needs. Informed by high quality data and insights, we will radically re-imagine how we operate, making sure that every pound in our system delivers the best possible value for everyone we serve.
We will encourage and support our people to grow and develop new skills and embrace new agile ways of working. Everyone is encouraged to contribute ideas, seek feedback, and take part in creating a listening and learning culture where insight leads to improvement.
We will work as a team of teams, collaborating across services and professions to deliver the best outcomes for our communities. You will be encouraged, and expected to model inclusive behaviours, valuing diverse perspectives and helping to create a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported, and able to thrive.
Details
- Date posted: 05 August 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 8a
- Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
- Reference number: D9467-26-0004
- Job locations: NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board, NHS Dorset - County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ, United Kingdom, NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, Jenner House, Avon Way, Langley Park, Chippenham, SN15 1GG, United Kingdom, NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board, Wynford House, Lufton Way, Yeovil, BA22 8HR, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
The post holder will lead the design and delivery of qualitative evaluation activity to bring the views and experiences of people who use services into strategic assessment and improvement work.
The role involves using a range of recognised qualitative methods, such as interviews, focus groups, observations and rapid appraisal techniques, to understand how services, pathways and interventions are experienced by different groups.
The post holder will oversee how qualitative information is gathered, handled and interpreted, ensuring that approaches are ethical, robust and consistent with established standards.
The post holder will work closely with the Head of Health Economics by providing quantitative evidence that supports economic analysis, value based approaches and resource allocation discussions.
They will produce clear findings that help explain why outcomes differ, where barriers occur and how services could be strengthened.
The role will work closely with colleagues in population health, commissioning, business intelligence, strategy and transformation so that qualitative findings are used alongside quantitative evidence within mixed method evaluations. It will involve Together across NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, NHS Dorset and NHS Somerset working with people who use services, staff and system partners to ensure evaluation.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience designing and delivering qualitative research or evaluation using methods such as interviews, focus groups,
- observation and thematic analysis.
- Experience interpreting qualitative findings
- and explaining what they mean for services,
- pathways or outcomes.
- Experience working with a range of partners, including people who use services, frontline staff and system colleagues, to gather
- insight and ensure diverse perspectives are
- captured.
- Experience contributing to mixed method evaluations by working alongside colleagues who use quantitative or analytical
- approaches.
- Experience planning and organising evaluation activity, including preparing fieldwork, agreeing timelines and managing Together across NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, NHS Dorset and NHS Somerset practical arrangements.
- Experience presenting findings to senior
- colleagues or programme teams in a clear and accessible way.
- Experience supporting others to improve
- their understanding or use of qualitative
- methods.
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to masters level or able to demonstrate equivalent experience working at a senior level in a relevant specialist area.
- Holds specialist knowledge of qualitative research approaches, gained through postgraduate study or equivalent experience, with further learning to masters level standard.
- Formal training or substantial experience in qualitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, observations and thematic analysis.
- Understanding of research governance, ethical standards and safe handling of sensitive information.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Good understanding of current healthcare policy and how it affects evaluation work.
- Awareness of how health and care organisations relate to each other, including provider, commissioning and system level functions.
- Membership of a relevant professional body
- where appropriate.
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Band 8 Manager and Corporate roles in Dorchester
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Qualitative Evaluation Senior Lead - Population Health Improvement with NHS Dorset in Dorchester, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £57528.00 to £64750.00. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 23 Aug 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (05 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.