Job Description for Research Manager
We are a rapidly growing, global organization, operating in
almost 40 countries. We design innovative, cutting-edge approaches to solving
development problems, rigorously evaluate these programs and promote the
adoption of those with proven impact.
Our Kenya office is the organization’s oldest country office,
and the site of many of its most influential projects, including seminal
studies on de-worming, clean water promotion, bed-net usage and fertilizer
subsidies.
We employ more than 300 contracted staff working on 20 different
projects across offices in various locations around Kenya.
Our project staffs work closely with Principal Investigators
(PIs), researchers who are affiliated with elite academic institutions such as
Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the
University of California, Berkeley.
We are in the process of restructuring our project oversight
design, and creating an in-country Research Manager position to provide an
additional layer of project support.
The Research Manager will be given a portfolio of 4 to 5
projects to supervise.
These projects will be based around a specific geographic area,
and might include both evaluation and interventions components.
They could span a range of technical areas, such as agriculture,
health, governance and micro-finance. Possible examples might include: a
project studying the comparative health benefit of water, hygiene, sanitation
and nutrition interventions; a project measuring the impact of IT systems on sugar-cane
farmer productivity; and a project testing methods of selecting and
incentivizing community workers.
As part of their supervisory role, the Research Manager will
work closely with the country office to ensure effective support is being given
to projects, and projects are working within the relevant policies and
procedures.
The Research Manager will also participate in senior management
discussions and contribute to research policy development and capacity
building.
This position will be based in Kisumu, focusing on projects in
Western and Nyanza (travel required).
The Research Manager will be responsible for the following
tasks:
- Keep
Country Director, or his/her designated representative, appraised of all
developments on the projects in their portfolio, and serve as key link
between the country office, project staff, and Principle
Investigators.
- Ensure
project adherence in the field to general research design, sample
selection, data management and analysis, and overall project
management.
- Oversee
project financial management, including creation and monitoring of program
budgets, and ensuring smooth integration of projects into financial
systems.
- Work
with country office staff to ensure sound human resource and operational
management of project.
- Directly
supervise project research assistants (Project Associates or Project
Coordinators), and help with transitions when new research staff come on
board; maintain “institutional memory” of project activities.
- Lead
training on data management and general project management for
new/incoming project research staff.
- Promote
inter-project best practices and take a lead in sharing best practices
with projects through formal and informal training opportunities.
- Attend
regular meetings with local government officials and partners to ensure
success of programmatic activities.
- In
select cases, support the dissemination of results via presentations and
reports to academic and non-academic audiences.
Desired Qualifications
- Masters
in development economics, or a field related to international economic
development or health. Undergraduates with at least 5 years of field
experience will also be considered.
- Extensive
experience conducting social science or economic field research.
Background in randomized control trials is strongly preferred.
- At
least two years of project management experience. Extensive experience
supervising data collection, teams of field workers, and survey design and
implementation.
- Experience
with data management, econometrics, and advanced knowledge of Stata or any
statistical packages preferably SPSS and or CSPro.
- Cultural
sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse
constituencies required. Experience in conducting field research in
developing countries required. o Strong budgeting and financial management
skills.
- Experience
with presenting research findings at public forums, including to
non-research focused audiences, is preferred.
- Strong
written and oral communication skills, and complete fluency in English is
required. Kiswahili proficiency is preferred.
To Apply
Applicants should email their applications attaching a detailed curriculum vitae and a letter indicating why they are interested in and qualified for the position and the names of three referees who can provide confidential assessment of their capabilities to a Search Committee.
All communications relating to applications for this position
should be addressed to: email address: therecexpert@gmail.com. Applications
should be received by 12th November 2012. Only shortlisted candidates will be
contacted.
On the subject matter of the email please indicate the position
you are applying for.