Guidance

Evaluation and Trial Advice Panel Recruitment FAQs (HTML)

Published 5 January 2026

How do I apply to be a panel member? 

Please complete this online application form to apply. More information is available on the Evaluation and Trial Advice Panel recruitment page. 

When will applications close?

Applications close on Sunday 1st February 2026 at 23:55.

How many people will be on the Panel?

Currently, the panel is made up of 66 members. The new panel will not be restrictive on intake because the aim of  this panel recruitment is to have a wide variety of methodological and policy expertise to ensure that it can provide a range of advice for its users. 

What are the expectations of panel members? 

As a panel member, you will be expected to provide advice to government departments on the design and implementation of evaluations. This may include: 

• Reviewing key documents such as preliminary evaluation designs and theory of change,
• Attending surgery-style workshops to provide advice on specific evaluation designs, including theory-based, quasi and experimental evaluations,
• Appraising the feasibility of different design options based on specific policy or intervention designs,
• Responding to ad-hoc requests for advice via email; and
• Peer reviewing final reports.

We also expect that you will contribute to the Evaluation Task Force’s seminar series which aims to build evaluation capability across government. This may include: 

• Delivering a presentation on a recent evaluation you have worked on,
• Delivering a presentation on an evaluation methodology,
• Being part of a panel to discuss the latest advances in evaluation and common challenges for researchers. 

Panel members will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to keep information shared by government departments confidential. 

Who are you looking for? 

We are looking for individuals with the following skills and experience:

• An ability to turn expert knowledge into practical, helpful advice;  
• An understanding of the policy environment and the realities of undertaking evaluations at pace in complex areas of social policy;
• Substantial work experience in the field of evaluation and extensive practical/applied evaluation skills (e.g. through published evaluations); and
• Extensive experience in the design and delivery of evaluations using a range of methods and approaches, with detailed expertise in at least one of the following:
  • Experimental designs: including Randomised Control Trials, stepped-wedge, cluster designs, multi-arm trials, A/B testing
  • Non randomised and quasi-experimental designs: including Regression Discontinuity Design, matching, synthetic controls, difference-in-difference
  • Theory based evaluation
  • Contribution analysis
  • Qualitative comparative analysis
  • Process tracing
  • Machine Learning
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Economic evaluation
  • Process and implementation evaluation
  • Theory of Change and realist evaluation
  • Pre-testing, including rapid cycle testing
  • Test & learn evaluation approaches / agile approaches to evaluation
  • Experience in applying evaluation skills in a local government context, working with Mayoral Combined Authorities or Local Authorities.

What is the time commitment?

Panel members are asked to commit a minimum of 3 hours per month. This will include preparation for and attending advisory meetings. This assumes sufficient demand for the service and your membership is not a guarantee of work on the panel.

How long is my term for?

The term for volunteering is two years, starting in March 2026 - with a potential one year extension. 

What is the process if I want to leave the Panel?

If you wish to leave the Panel, you can do so by giving one month’s written notice to the Panel coordinator at trialadvicepanel@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Will there be opportunities to network?

Yes. Panel members will have opportunities to network with each other through the seminar series and ETF events. There will also be other opportunities to informally network across the membership period.

If I work externally to government, can I still bid for projects that come to ETAP when they are put to market? 

In most cases, yes. Panel members should register any potential conflicts of interest with the department leading procurement of relevant evaluations. Panel members should be aware that if advice they provide specifically informs the preparation of the procurement procedure, they and their associated institution may be excluded from bidding where there are no other means for the department to ensure compliance with its duty to treat economic operators equally in accordance with Regulation 18(1) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.   

I am an independent evaluation consultant. Can I join the Panel?

Yes. You can apply to join the Panel as an independent consultant if you have the relevant skills and experience. 

I am leaving my organisation during my term on the panel. Can I still remain on the Panel?

If you are leaving your organisation, you are able to remain on the panel but you are required to notify the ETAP coordinator (trialadvicepanel@cabinetoffice.gov.uk) of any changes. This is to ensure we have the most up-to-date information and are aware of circumstances around a change in role.  

As a panel member, if I cannot attend a meeting am I allowed to send a colleague in my place?

No. Although the ETAP application gathers information on your organisation, we treat each panel member as individuals with specific expertise. As such, no one outside of the Panel is able to take part in ETAP activities. 

Am I allowed to talk about my panel membership?

Experts may refer publicly to their appointment on the Panel but must not make any press announcement, or speak publicly about the Panel or on behalf of the Panel without prior written agreement from the Panel Coordinator.