Post-Doctoral Researcher (overseas)

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) delivers world-class research, learning and teaching that transforms the knowledge, action and leadership needed for more equitable and sustainable development globally.

We are seeking to recruit a Post-Doctoral Researcher role with a strong focus on the application of research and analytical skills to international development programming. The post is embedded within POTENCIAR, an FCDO-funded governance, accountability and inclusive development programme in Mozambique, but also includes opportunities to work on other IDS research projects (whether in Mozambique, elsewhere in Africa or globally). The post-holder will be based in Maputo for the first 18 months of the contract, with the option thereafter of staying on in Maputo or relocating to the UK to work at IDS on the campus of the University of Sussex in Brighton (with ongoing international travel to Mozambique and elsewhere).

Applicants will bring qualitative research skills and an ability to work in Portuguese as well as English. Ethnographic and participatory action research skills, gender and social inclusions analysis skills, knowledge management expertise, familiarity with Mozambique and a track record of working on governance and accountability issues (particularly in relation to health systems and/or social protection) are desirable.

POTENCIAR is a programme focused on addressing accountability and governance issues undermining the delivery of basic services in Mozambique. The programme takes an innovative research-led and knowledge-centred adaptive approach to achieving inclusive development outcomes via a series of collaborative Pro-Accountability Initiatives (PAIs) at District and Provincial levels with associated national-level evidence synthesis, communication and advocacy strategies. Funded by UK aid through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDO) and overseen by the British High Commission in Maputo, the programme aims to contribute to national efforts for increased government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizen demands, and to improved human development outcomes. The programme’s initial phase of work has centred on PAIs in Nampula Province in Northern Mozambique that aim to promote the humanisation of maternal health services and reduce levels of disrespect and abuse, together with support for a national campaign to end obstetric violence. Work is currently under way to identify priorities for further PAIs in other sectors and/or Provinces, beginning with scoping research on social protection policies and service delivery. POTENCIAR is implemented by a consortium consisting of Chemonics (consortium lead), IDS (Research, Evidence and Learning lead), Konung International, CESC and COWI. The programme is delivered by a team that is based in Maputo and Nampula and composed of staff seconded to the Programme Management Unit (PMU) by different consortium partners, backstopped by an international Extended Team of specialist consultants. The project is expected to run until March 2024 but may be extended to March 2026 at the discretion of the FCDO, following an external review that will take place in 2023.

This is an international IDS post and for at least the first 18 months of the two-year post-doctoral fellowship the post-holder is expected to be based in Maputo, Mozambique and to work as a member of the team delivering the POTENCIAR programme. POTENCIAR has introduced a One Team Approach which means that while individual team members report to a senior staff member from the consortium partner that employs them (who provides mentoring, technical and quality assurance support), they are also part of an integrated PMU team and expected to work closely and collaboratively with all other colleagues under the direction of the Team Leader. Thus the PDR will have both specific responsibilities as Research, Evidence and Learning (REL) Lead for POTENCIAR and general responsibilities as an IDS post-doctoral researcher.

The responsibilities of the post-holder as POTENCIAR REL Lead include:

Research and Knowledge Management activities •Undertake field-based qualitative, participatory and/or action research in Mozambique, to identify key issues and priority entry-points and document strategies for accountability and inclusion in different areas of service delivery in health, social protection and other related sectors (potentially including nutrition, water and sanitation and education). •Undertake evidence synthesis and secondary data analysis, including carrying out literature reviews and other background research activities. •Oversee the incorporation of relevant primary and secondary data sources into the POTENCIAR Knowledge Base for internal use and external sharing. •Write and edit POTENCIAR research synthesis and other knowledge sharing outputs in academic and practitioner-accessible formats (either writing directly in both English and Portuguese or supervising/checking the translations wherever necessary). Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning activities •Design and facilitate programme learning events with staff and partners •Support the PAI Lead in designing and facilitating Theory of Action workshops (District and Provincial level) •Co-design and co-facilitate programme-level Theory of Change (ToC) workshops with the IDS ToC Lead •Provide technical analysis and support to the Deputy Team Leader and other PMU staff for identifying, analysing and writing up case studies / stories of change and other qualitative material to document programme contributions to short- and medium-term behaviour and performance change and to longer-term human development impacts. •Provide technical inputs to the drafting of ToRs and methodology / data collection strategies for the External Review of the programme (expected to take place in early 2023) and other key monitoring and evaluation activities. •Contribute to programme quarterly and annual reporting as agreed with the Deputy Team Leader.

Management and coordination activities •Act as line manager for the PMU Research and Communications Officer based in Maputo, providing them with mentoring and capacity development support as well as agreeing their workplan (in coordination with the Team Leader and other key PMU Leads) and monitoring the timeliness and quality of the outputs delivered. •Act as a professional mentor and provide quality assurance support for the research and knowledge management work of the Monitoring, Research, Evidence and Learning Officer based in Nampula. •Act as chair of the POTENCIAR Analytical Strategy Group, organising and documenting meetings of relevant staff from the PMU and from consortium partners with a view to ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the programme’s analytical work. •Participate in PMU coordination and planning activities as required.

The postholder will be a member of the IDS Power and Popular Politics research cluster, which will provide a home within the Institute. The Cluster leader and members provide broad intellectual support to achieve a programme of published work and pursue suitable future funding opportunities, building up independent fundraising skills. PDRs have a ‘career progression review’ towards the end of their two years in post, conducted by a designated small group of IDS research leaders and managers, to take stock of performance and advise on career development prospects.

The general responsibilities of an IDS Post-Doctoral Researcher, which will occupy an increasing proportion of the PDR’s time in the second year of the contract, include:

Research activities •Undertake a range of desk research, including carrying out literature reviews and other background research activities in timely fashion to the agreed standard. •Undertake field-based research as appropriate. •Maintain up to date knowledge of key literatures and methodologies on the relevant areas of research. •Write up literature reviews, formal reports and other syntheses of projects, including web topic guides, issue papers and other documents as required in accordance with the agreed specifications. •Produce high quality publications, aiming at a minimum of one article-length piece during each year of the post-doctoral fellowship •Assist with managing projects in collaboration with hub staff and the relevant research leader, including budgets, timelines and outputs.

Networking and liaison •Build and maintain networks and relationships with clients, funders and partner organisations. •Promote the work of the Institute both nationally and internationally. •Develop links with external contacts to foster collaboration and partnerships.

Communications •Work on all aspects of effective communication outputs in relation to IDS work beyond POTENCIAR, including social media, media interviews, and the production of high quality publications.

Teaching and Learning •Contribute to post-graduate teaching and the production of online teaching material.

The Post Doctoral Researcher position is a fixed term position, normally for two years. It is normally fully funded in the first year and 75% funded in year two by which time individuals will be expected to start to diversify their funding and pursue funding opportunities. With support and training the aim is for the post doctoral researcher to develop their own portfolio of work. It is anticipated that for the right candidate this role will eventually lead to the possibility of application to a Fellowship position at IDS, subject to a vacancy arising and meeting the required standards as assessed by the Fellow Review and Promotion Board.