Evaluation Specialist (Kent)
Footprints for the Future: Revealing Britain’s Hidden Mammals Project
Contract title: Evaluation Specialist
Contract start: 1st November 2026
Contract finish: 31st August 2028
Tender submission deadline: 11:59 pm, 18th October 2026
Submission: Email [email protected]
Based at Wildwood Kent. Please read the brief below in full before sending your submission.
Background
Small mammals are a vital but often overlooked component of the UK’s natural heritage. Species such as voles, mice and shrews play important roles in ecosystem function, supporting complex food webs, contributing to soil processes and acting as indicators of habitat health. Despite this, they remain among the least well-recorded groups of UK wildlife. Traditional monitoring methods are resource-intensive, technically demanding, and often invasive, limiting the scale of data collection and restricting opportunities for wider public understanding and participation.
Footprints for the Future is a project led by Wildwood Trust, in partnership with the Mammal Society and People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), and supported by WildTrack. The project aims to develop and scale a non-invasive, accessible method for monitoring small mammals using footprint identification supported by AIassisted technology.
Building on a successful pilot phase in 2025/26, the project will generate a UK specific reference dataset of small mammal footprints to train an existing footprint identification platform developed by WildTrack. Alongside this technical development, the project will deliver a structured programme of engagement, including school visits, workshops and volunteer opportunities, enabling communities to participate in wildlife monitoring and habitat improvement.
Alongside developing an innovative approach to small mammal monitoring, Footprints for the Future will deliver a structured programme of participation and engagement, including school visits, workshops, volunteer opportunities and activities at Wildwood Kent. The project will provide people with accessible opportunities to learn about small mammals, take part in wildlife monitoring and develop practical skills and knowledge that can support positive action for nature in their local areas. By enabling a wide range of participants, including volunteers, school groups and visitors, to engage directly with small mammal conservation, the project aims to increase understanding, confidence and participation in wildlife recording and habitat improvement. Through this combination of hands-on participation, learning and community involvement, the project will help build longer- term connections between people and their local natural heritage and encourage continued stewardship beyond the lifetime of the project.
Project Objectives
1. Develop an accessible, non-invasive method for monitoring small mammals.
Develop and refine the footprint monitoring methodology and AI-assisted WildTrack identification tool, creating a practical, ethical and accessible approach that can be used by trained practitioners, volunteers, schools and community groups.
2. Strengthen the evidence base for small mammal conservation.
Expand the UK-specific reference dataset of small mammal footprints and support the collection of high-quality, validated records from a wide range of habitats, including under-recorded urban and community spaces. Make the resulting data available to support wildlife recording, research and conservation decision-making.
3. Increase participation and connection with local natural heritage.
Engage new and diverse audiences, particularly schools, young people, volunteers and community groups, through wildlife monitoring activities, workshops, school sessions and community events. Enable participants to discover the small mammals living in their local environment and develop greater knowledge, confidence and skills in wildlife observation and recording.
4. Empower people to take practical action for nature.
Use monitoring and engagement activities to help participants understand the relationship between small mammals and habitat health, and provide them with the knowledge and practical guidance to improve local green spaces. Encourage repeat monitoring so that participants can see the effects of their actions and develop a sense of ownership and stewardship.
5. Create a lasting legacy of skills, resources and networks.
Build a network of trained practitioners, volunteers, schools and community groups able to continue monitoring small mammals beyond the project. Ensure that the WildTrack app, guidance, educational resources and open-access data remain freely available, supporting continued participation, learning and conservation action beyond the lifetime of the project.
The Evaluation Specialist (EvS) will work with project staff to design and deliver a comprehensive project evaluation.
Detail of Requirements
The EvS contract will run from 1 st November 2026 to 31st August 2028 inclusive. An estimated maximum total of 20 days (7.5 hr days) of contractor time is estimated as being required throughout the project period.
The contractor will be responsible for delivering the following project outputs:
Work with project staff to plan and design a comprehensive evaluation plan for the Footprints for the Future project, which should include:
1. Development of a monitoring and evaluation framework – The document will set out outputs and outcomes that will be monitored, procedures agreed upon for data collection, indicators identified for different types of evidence, and a reliable framework for measuring the impact of the project.
2. Development of an evaluation ‘toolkit’ for use by the delivery team – A set of documents and templates developed that the delivery team is able to use confidently to gather data from a range of activities, able to collate qualitative and quantitative data, and a variety of data gathering techniques that are suitable for the project.
3. Mid-term review – A short ‘light’ review on the project impact, confirming what has been achieved to date, considering how the project is developing reviewing the efficiency and effectiveness of the project team and project partners and ensuring delivery and evaluation plans for the second year of the project remain fit for purpose, including recommendations for any changes needed.
4. Project evaluation report - A summary of what has been achieved. As to what extent the project has achieved its aims and objectives (where targets have been met, exceeded, or where they have not been realised). Present an assessment of project legacy (longer-term impacts beyond the life of the project delivery and plans to ensure the legacy is sustained). Review project delivery. What has been learned and how can we share this learning.
The evaluation will be in line with the current National Heritage Lottery Fund guidance on evaluation. The evaluation must be an honest and accurate assessment of the project ensuring it captures both the successes and failures. Collaborating with the project team, partners, participants, and volunteers will be needed in preparing the final report and it will include:
1. The mid-delivery review
2. Assessing written materials from the project (original bid and other supporting documents)
3. Additional information and insights gathered by the consultant.
4. Visits to events and activities including activities at Wildwood Kent and schools.
5. Consultations and interviews with stakeholders, volunteers and Wildwood Kent visitors.
The successful contractor will report to Wildwood Trust’s Conservation Officer and will be supported by the Project Team and a steering group.
Essential requirements
The evaluation consultant will be expected to have:
Previous Experience writing and/or co-ordinating 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 and volunteers.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work with a wide range of people.
Other requirements & deliverables
Regular communication with the Project Officer and Wildwood Trust 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 & contribute to project Steering Group meetings where required.
Timetable of works
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.
The overall time commitment for the contract is dependent on several factors and the Steering Group accept that flexibility in their expectations will be required; however, the successful contractor will be expected to make best use of their time with the resources available.
Budget
The value of these works as outlined in the detail of requirements section, is estimated at £7,500 inclusive of VAT, but exclusive of travel.
Payment schedule
Invoices will be submitted monthly and in arrears to the Wildwood Trust, stating a breakdown of how time was spent in the relevant period.
The contractor is expected to pay tax and National Insurance as a selfemployed individual and to maintain at their own cost an appropriate policy of insurance including public and professional liability.
They will need to provide Wildwood Trust with details of contractor’s health and safety, insurance and environmental credentials, including relevant biosecurity.
Travel to be paid at a rate of £0.55p mile.
It is expected that the contractor will be home based but will be expected to spend time in the field and work alone on occasions. Office space can be made available at Wildwood Kent on an ad-hoc basis.
Skills/knowledge requirements for contractor
We require potential contractors to detail the skills, knowledge and experience of all personnel who will be involved in the delivery of the contract. Detail must be given of how skills, knowledge and experience are relevant to the delivery of the contract and how they will help to make it a success. Full CVs of all relevant personnel must be included with your proposal.
Guidelines for tendering
To submit the tender, please provide:
A current CV
A statement of no more than two sides of A4 detailing your suitability for the role with a proposed plan of delivery. Content to include the following:
Your track record
Your approach/ methodology
How you will add value and link to other initiatives if appropriate.
A fixed price cost for the contract, in terms of a daily rate (per 7.5 hour day), inclusive of VAT and exclusive of travel expenses.
A list of relevant qualifications and experience.
The contract will be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous and effective tender, as assessed against the following criteria:
Value for Money – 20%
Skills/knowledge of proposed deliverers* – 30%
Capacity to deliver – 25%
Proposed approach to delivery – 25%
Evaluation will be based on an assessment of the CVs held for proposed deliverers specified for each priority area (plus any supplementary information on these individuals contained in tender bids) against the skills/knowledge requirements for the contract (as set out in this specification)