Evaluation and Learning Officer (Hybrid)

Sierra Health Foundation and the Center

Sierra Health Foundation is a private philanthropy with a mission to invest in and serve as a catalyst for ideas, partnerships, and programs that improve health and quality of life in Northern California. The foundation is committed to improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities in the region through convening, educating and strategic grantmaking. 

Sierra Health Foundation has a broad definition of health, believing there is much more to health than health care. It is influenced by factors that include socioeconomic conditions, environment, education, income, and individual behavior choices. The foundation also believes in the need for health and racial equity and racial justice. Reducing health disparities is a key factor in striving toward better health for all and reflects the foundation’s dedication to ensuring that people throughout its funding region have the opportunity to lead healthy lives.

Sierra Health Foundation established The Center at Sierra Health Foundation to advance its commitment to strengthening community capacity to engage in policy development, planning, and implementation efforts that seek to address the health needs of California’s underserved populations.  The Center works to promote health, racial equity, and racial justice in communities throughout California with local, state, and national partners.  With strategy, creativity, and ongoing collaboration, The Center strives to eradicate health inequities across the state.

SUMMARY: The Evaluation and Learning Officer works with the Managing Director of Evaluation and Learning, the Evaluation and Learning Team, Foundation, and The Center colleagues to manage a range of evaluation and learning activities. The Evaluation and Learning officer’s duties and responsibilities include providing support to program teams, contributing to the development and implementation of evaluation and learning activities internally and externally, providing oversight and management of external evaluation contracts, and contributing to the development of guidance for program staff around evaluation and learning.

The evaluation and learning officer will have a solid grounding in the theory, methods, and trends in evaluation and learning. The Evaluation and Learning Officer will have the capacity to translate data and information into practical use. This person is an excellent facilitator and communicator. They have superb organizational and interpersonal skills and are expected to build strong relationships with Foundation and The Center staff, grantee partners, and external consultants.

The Evaluation and Learning Officer is flexible and thrives in fast-paced, dynamic, complex environments.  They are expected to work proactively with program teams and departments. Also, this person is someone who identifies problems, offers solutions and is able to implement the solutions offered.  Our organization follows a hybrid work structure where employees work remotely two days a week and three days from the office.  

ESSENTIAL EVALUATION AND LEARNING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the development of a learning approach and framework for the Foundation and The Center.
• Manage a portfolio that includes evaluation and learning projects. 
• Work in partnership with the Managing Director of Evaluation and Learning, program staff and, if applicable, funded partners to identify evaluation and learning opportunities.
• Develop requests for proposals (RFPs) for evaluation and learning opportunities.
• Lead and coordinate the RFP process with program staff and external consultants.
• Manage and provide guidance to external contractors in collaboration with program staff.
• Organize and lead meetings with program staff, external consultants, and funded partners.
• Develop and improve evaluation and learning tools and products, including data collection instruments, reports, lessons learned, emergent learnings, data visualizations, presentations, and data dashboards.
• Work in close collaboration with the Communications department to disseminate evaluation and learning products to internal and external audiences.
• Perform administrative duties (e.g., submitting contracts for approval; tracking budgets for external contracts; submitting invoices for payment).
• Participate in the development of the evaluation and learning department’s budget.
• Stay abreast of current events, developments, and issues in the field to maintain a balanced and objective perspective and approach to evaluation and learning.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide guidance and technical assistance on the development of data collection tools, and the use of information, as requested by programs and departments.
• Participate in program-organized meetings (e.g., team meetings, site visits, funded partner meetings).
• Represent the Foundation at conferences and other public events, including as a speaker or panel participant.
• Review and provide feedback on program documents (e.g., application reviews, funding proposals, reports to funders).
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data by applying appropriate analysis techniques.
• Deliver customized learning opportunities for staff across the Foundation and The Center.
• Other tasks as assigned. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES    

This position is responsible for supervising interns and staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE              

• A Master’s degree preferred in a related area in which evaluation-related skills were learned and practiced.
• At least 5 years of experience with data collection, data preparation, analysis, and reporting experience in an evaluation-related field, preferably in a grant-making, nonprofit or related institution.
• Experience developing evaluation forms, surveys, and focus group and interview protocols. Demonstrated familiarity with quantitative and qualitative evaluation instruments and analysis tools.
• Experience in evaluation and research writing and presentations.
• Familiarity with public health, public policy, experience with placed-based and or health equity work is desirable.
• Experience in community organizing, coalition-building, and/or advocacy work is desirable.
• Strong commitment to achieving racial and health equity.
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CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGULATIONS

Must have a current valid driver’s license and be insurable under the Foundation’s insurance policy. Must have a reliable vehicle to perform various in-field tasks.

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE SKILLS                                     

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent data visualization skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and summarize studies, proposals, reports, journals, financial and database reports, grant agreements, contracts, and memos. 
• Ability to compose business correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to grantees, employees of the organization and others.
• Ability to facilitate small group meetings.
• Bilingual skills are desirable.

COMPUTER SKILLS 

• Must be proficient in Windows, Microsoft Office, Outlook, database software, Adobe Acrobat, and internet use.
• Familiar with statistical analysis software (such as SPSS) and online survey management platforms (i.e., Survey Monkey, Qualtrics).

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES    

• Requires a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries from partners, applicants, grantees, contractors, and members of the community in a timely manner.
• Must have analytical, problem-solving abilities.
• Must pay attention to detail in analysis of contracts and scopes of work, composing, preparing, and in reviewing and proofing of materials.
• Must have excellent time management, ability to plan ahead, and organizational skills.
• Must have knowledge of office administration procedures and the use of and operation of standard office equipment.
• Must be able to work independently, take directions and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with flexibility.
• Ability to work with individuals from diverse communities and life experiences.
• Ability to maintain a positive work environment and positive, professional interactions with others.

CERTIFICATES, LICENCES, REGISTRATIONS

Must have a current valid driver’s license and be insurable under the Foundation’s insurance policy.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

Sierra Health Foundation and The Center provide a generous benefits package, which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, as well as an Employee Assistance Program and a discount program called Working Advantage. Retirement benefits are provided through our 401(k), which includes employee matching. Details of these programs will be shared during the hiring process. This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary between $115,000-$125,000.