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.
This occurs both through the dissemination of results to policy makers, practitioners, and donors, as well as through supporting the large-scale implementation of evidence-based programs.
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.
- 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 31st October 2012.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
On the subject matter of the email please indicate the position you are applying for.
