Save The Children is hiring a West and Central Africa Head of Research.

The role
The Head of Research will be the senior lead in the generation of strategic research, evidence and learning that will demonstrate the impact of SCI’s work on children’s lives in the West and Central Africa region. She/he will also help strengthen country offices’ research capability and support their ability to advance analytical work on quality child rights programming. They will also support the Regional Programme Quality Director and Pan Africa Campaign and Advocacy Director to create linkages for the use of evidence for Innovative Programming and Policy and Advocacy work.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :
Strategy:

Lead the development and implementation of a coherent and coordinated Research Strategy across the region aimed at demonstrating impact, improving quality programme and policy outcomes for children;
Ensure that the strategy reflects and strategically brings together the priorities in the Country Strategic Plans and specific the vision of the national learning agendas;
Identify and develop strategic partnerships with key research institutions and bring innovation and scale to our research in West and Central Africa.
Understanding and demonstrating outcomes for Children:

Undertake analytical work to generate sectoral and cross thematic learning on trends and opportunities for SCI to achieve better outcomes for children;
Conduct, commission, manage and communicate high quality and user-focused research and work across the region to deliver evidence of impact and learning and to inform the design, development, implementation and adaptation of our programmes and advocacy.
Oversee the development and delivery of strategic research activities including technical oversight and direct support to Country Offices when needed;
Bring and apply cutting-edge thinking, methodology and best practice at all stages of the research including child led/child sensitive approaches;
Develop regular dissemination outlets, tailored to ensuring research and evidence generated is used by intended audiences, e.g. fact sheets, policy briefs, evidence events etc and including child friendly versions;
Country Office Research:
Support analysis of COs research and evaluation capability, interest and ambition and develop a tailor-made capability enhancement plan, designing and implementing effective capacity building measures;
Ensure that COs research and evaluation outputs are delivered to the highest standards and systematically contribute to Country and Regional learning agenda.
Bring research, analytical and relevant quality assurance standards to COs in the entire Programme Life Cycle management;
Help promote and implement SCI’s programme quality standards;
Support CO PDQ Directors to proactively shape Country Offices’ to deliver innovative research;Support monitoring and generation of feedback on how research and evidence products are used to inform continuous improvement;
Provide guidance on the development and maintenance of an institutionalised knowledge management system;
Resourcing

Attract and win new business usually through competitive tendering but also through networking, pre-positioning and repeat business to achieve agreed growth targets for research at Regional and CO levels;
Lead the writing of proposals, presentations and positioning for new research contracts at a national and/or regional level, and/ or contribute to the inclusion of robust research and learning components within broader programme contracts.
Networking and Partnerships:

Establish and maintain strong working relationship with other technical leads (thematic and cross functional), Save the Children Members and Academia to initiate, adapt or test new practices, approaches or methodologies in research with a view of improving outcomes for children and our ability to demonstrate and showcase that impact;
The Head of Research Qualifications and experience
Postgraduate (preferably doctoral level) academic qualification,
6 plus years expertise and credibility and influence (externally and internally) through depth and breadth of expertise; the ability to give professional support and direction to others; seek, review and apply best practice from elsewhere.
Intellect, curiosity, creativity and judgement: original ideas; creative approach; sound judgement, encourage ideas, initiative and innovation in others;
Personal effectiveness/self-management: time, pressure, flexibility, adaptability, commitment to own development;
Leadership and vision: clear vision; ability to secure commitment to vision; initiate and manage change; to earn credibility, inspire colleagues; to accept responsibility; integrity and fairness;
Considerable proven experience in undertaking and leading the production of policy and research outputs for practical uptake in programmes and/ or policy
Knowledge and experience of scientific research principles, methods, practices and protocols in research projects and of relevant data analysis software.
Knowledge and demonstrated experience of designing and managing high level research, ideally in at least one of Save the Children’s priority thematic areas
Extensive experience in analysing the situation of children, preferably using the child rights programming/ principles framework
Proven track record of policy influencing with partners, government and civil societies/key stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to think critically, strategically and analyze complex information and offer creative, practical and effective solutions
Excellent written and verbal communications skills, and an ability to produce and disseminate research outputs to variety of audiences using effective approaches
Strong skills in working in partnership across organisations, including in negotiation and communication, preferably including with donor organisations
Willing and able to travel to COs to support field teams as security permits, up to 10 weeks of the year.
High level of fluency in English and French, both verbal and written, required.
Commitment to Save the Children International values
Contract length: 2 years

LOCATIONS: Senegal OR Any Save the Children West and Central Africa Countries (Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger, DRC, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone)

NATIONAL CONTRACT

The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. The organization also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

Location: Dakar, Senegal
Contract – Full-Time
Closing date: Friday 7 June 2019
All jobs close at midnight UK time on the date specified