About US:
AfriChild Centre was established in January 2013 to improve child protection practice and inform policy through a systematic process of scientific research, analysis and knowledge development. The Centre seeks to deepen the quality of evaluative research and effectiveness measurement of child wellbeing interventions, in line with ensuing global discourse among child rights activists and child protection actors.
Job Summary: The Director, Research and Knowledge Development will oversee the research, innovation and knowledge development program functions of The AfriChild Centre to ensure that the organisation is at the forefront on children issues in the region, and to be a credible and influential force for change. The role will also aim to improve the quality of AfriChild’s ongoing programming and to generate and disseminate new knowledge and evidence relevant to AfriChild’s mission so as to influence policy and practice in the East Africa region and globally.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Manage the design and management of AfriChild’s research and programming: Lead a process to assess research opportunities for AfriChild, identify opportunities for, and oversee the design and management of: formative research; studies; surveys; innovative demonstration projects; operations research projects.
Build innovative research and policy partnerships, with academia, think tanks, trusts and foundations, NGOs and others, that deliver new and emerging research work for AfriChild.
Identify and coordinate associate researchers for AfriChild so as to build a database of researchers who would be associated and involved in advancing the work of AfriChild.
Tasked with the identification and Coordination of researchers under the AfriChild Mentorship Program: Play a leading role in the identification and coordination of upcoming researchers under the AfriChild mentorship program. This will involve the identification of mentees and mentors and also in developing the criteria of selection.
Generate new knowledge and evidence: Maintain a high level of professional and academic standing by leading the generation of publications and other technical materials to support child rights programming.
Policy, procedures, strategy and guidance: Convene and coordinate working group(s) of experts working on research activities and publications. Establish or update policies, procedures and guidance for research work, for generating publications. Develop and update the AfriChild impact strategy, which will be a framework to assess the impact of AfriChild’s activities in meeting its objectives. The collection of this information and data is critical when it comes to the mid and final evaluation of the project.
Team Leadership: Lead and coordinate the work of the team within the Research and Knowledge Development Unit; including the project team staff and consultants as required, ensuring that the team functions as a coherent unit within a wider institutional mandate.
Planning and management: Develop and propose plans and budgets for inclusion in the annual Program of Work and Budget, issue program and funding approvals for research projects, ensure programming in innovative areas and other research work in accordance with delegated authorities, and ensure that all projects are managed within budget and tracked correctly in the contracts database.
Strategic Management: Contribute to strategic management of AfriChild and support institutional development.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate for the Director, Research and Knowledge Development job opportunity must hold a Masters Degree in any of the following disciplines: social sciences, education, statistics humanities, development studies, public health or economics,
Possession of a PhD qualification is an added advantage.
A minimum of ten years of relevant research experience with research, academic institution or think tanks in a developing country
Excellent track record of publications in peer reviewed journals, books, book chapters and other relevant publications.
Extensive knowledge and experience in implementing and/or interpreting a range of analytical research tools and methods, both economic and social, as well as quantitative and qualitative data;
Strong strategic planning, prioritisation, and execution skills. Proven ability to manage multiple objectives, competing demands, and monitor progress and impact;
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively on technical issues to diverse audiences in both large and small group settings;
Innovative thinker;
High-level analytical skills;
Proven ability to work with multiple teams in a collaborative and contributory manner;
Previous working relationships with think tanks, academic institutions, donors, government departments, UN agencies, NGOs, trusts and foundations, and media;
Track record of team management and ability to lead projects from inception to completion;
Knowledge and ability to implement principles of management, leadership, conflict resolution, negotiation, and motivation; and
Possess an ability to think strategically, delegate responsibility, listen carefully, build consensus and communicate and advocate effectively in a complex matrix organisation.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested individuals should send their applications and updated CVs addressed to the Executive Director of the AfriChild Centre to info@africhild.or.ug or hand deliver to the AfriChild Centre located at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, Plot 103, Mary Stuart Road, opposite Lumumba Hall of Residence.
Deadline: 17th May, 2017