Research and Evidence Manager

The Opportunity

Save the Children International Afghanistan (SC-Af) aspires to advance its research, evidence and learning ambition within the Country Strategic Plan 2022-2024 and transform into a learning organization. The Research and Evidence Manager will possess required expertise to drive this aspiration and ambition. In collaboration/under the guidance of Head of Research, Evidence and MEAL maximize strategic evidence generation and utilisation. Lead in developing strategic partnerships with national and international research stakeholders such as local and international research organization and institutions. The candidate will provide technical leadership in research and evidence generation as per an overarching learning agenda, and ensuring evidence is used for learning, new business development and fundraising. The incumbent will work on exchanging best research/evaluation and analysis of monitoring data to inform learning and course correction best practices within the region.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Strategic research and evidence generation
– Lead on filling strategic evidence gaps and implementation of Afghanistan Country Office Learning Agenda
– Coordinate broad research initiatives linked to CSP priorities so as to generate evidence and ensure their uptake into policy domain, development discourse and new project/program design
– Undertake meta-analysis and systemic reviews of key evaluations and research to generate sectoral learning on trends, opportunities, risks etc. and strengthen analysis and communicate programmatic learning to the wider Country Office team
– Work with PDQA Director to develop a culture of learning that is driven by the Country Strategic Plan, initiatives, Program results frameworks, thematic/sector learning agendas whilst encouraging space for innovation and pioneering project design based on evidence and research
– Support Country Office to ensure the Theory of Change is at the centre of building and utilising evidence to inform innovations, scale up interventions, partnership, quality and advocacy.
– Ensure evaluation/baseline and targeted research studies include key variables to understand contextual dynamics of resilience, gender, disability, ethnicity, children centred and geographic remoteness.
– Coordinate update of Global Assessment and Evaluation Tracker and ensure adoption of a strategic approach to baseline and evaluation studies to guarantee effectiveness and efficiency in measurements.

Evidence based learning and reflection
– Tailor relevant technical research papers, reports, briefs and other publications for different national and international audiences including for journals, periodicals etc.
– Establish engaging forums for reflection, learning and evidence-sharing within the Country, Region and across CO teams. Build a culture of reflection and learning amongst the country office and provincial offices.
– Ensure data is systematically and continuously used to identify gaps, emerging trends, and course correction and implementation decisions are guided by this data (within and across programs/functional areas);
– Conduct robust analysis of data generated through programming and research initiatives in a palatable manner to decision maker, program strategy development and ACCM team.
– Support the relevant Programme and MEAL team to develop an Action Plan based on the evaluation recommendations with clear responsibilities for actions and monitoring
– In collaboration with APAC- Research and Evaluation Unit and researchers ensure that evidence generation and evaluations are of high quality and produce valid, reliable, and relevant outcomes towards learning objectives.
Capacity building and coordination
– Lead on implementing capacity building strategy of country office/provincial offices and partner teams to generate and use evidence in program design and project cycle management.
– Identify opportunities to leverage external engagement of research institutions, consultancies, SC Technical Assistance, and the global Analytic Capacity Initiative towards capacity building priorities.
– Maintain the networks and strategic partnerships and accordingly work with research and academic institutions, and think tanks

Knowledge Management
– Support the PDQA unit in establishing and rolling out Country Office knowledge management strategies, with special attention to storing and sharing program experience.
– Champion the use of global and regional Knowledge Management guidelines and platforms.
– Support documentation of the CO program by sharing learnings nationally, at Regional and internal platforms.
– Support thematic Technical Advisors/Specialists in the pro-active collection, analysis, storage and utilization of external evidence and research, including trends and reports, to inform program development and strategic direction of the CO.
– Facilitate the Evaluation Quality Scoring tools for all finalized assessment, baseline survey and evaluation report onto the Global Evaluation and Assessment Repository.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
Accountability:
* Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
* Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
* Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
* Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
* Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Communication & Collaboration:
* Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters by adapting effective communication strategies considering the context.
* Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
* Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
* Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
* Willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
* Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Education:
● Master’s degree in Economics, Measurement, Evaluation, and Research Methodology, Statistics, Social Research or relevant equivalent, with at least significant coursework in quantitative or qualitative research methods. PhD in Development Economics or other mentioned discipline is preferred.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
● At least 8 years’ experience in social research, impact evaluation studies, leading/overseeing Baselines/End lines, knowledge management and knowledge translation.
● Experience in more than one of the Save the Children priority sectors: education, child protection, child rights governance, child poverty, health and nutrition
● Previous work experience in Afghanistan or similar context or capacity to deliver quality research in low resource areas
● Excellent interpersonal communication and leadership skills
● Passion for evidence-driven development programming and interest in ongoing international research
● Demonstrated skills in designing and carrying out qualitative and quantitative research and using research to inform program design and advocacy.
● Demonstrated experience in developing or overseeing data management solutions, and familiar with technologies in social research.
● Excellent analytical skills and appreciation for the complexities of social research, especially as pertains to deprivations of children’s rights.
● Effective at collaborating and influencing across departments and sectors
● Excellent skills in training, capacity building, coaching, and mentoring
● Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming teams, in emergencies
● Previous experience working in the field and understanding of Afghanistan Country program operations. Experience working in Afghanistan or similar context is a plus.
● Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches
● Fluency in written and spoken English.
● Significant experience of MEAL approaches
● Significant experience research and quantitative/qualitative study designs

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. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers

Closing Date for Application: 05 April 2022
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.