Samuel Hall
Samuel Hall is seeking a professional and motivated individual to join its team for a full-time position as Children and Youth (Pillar 3) Research Manager (RM), based in the Nairobi office. Samuel Hall’s Children and Youth Pillar covers a wide range of topics related to children and youth, including child protection, education, child labour, youth employment, social protection, gender, M&E, migration and more. The RM will directly support the Pillar Lead to lead research, manage projects and other pillar staff, and support the strategic development of the pillar. There is a strong potential for domestic, regional, and international travel, COVID19 permitting.
WHO WE ARE
Our research connects the voices of communities to change-makers for more inclusive societies.
Samuel Hall is a social enterprise that conducts research in contexts affected by issues of migration and displacement. Our mandate is to produce research that delivers a contribution to knowledge with an impact on policies, programmes, and people. We provide practicable insights to challenging issues in the global South by providing academic-standard research through primary data collection in areas where researchers do not commonly go. Samuel Hall works with governments, donors, multilateral organisations and NGOs, as well public and private sector entities. We have worked with more than sixty-five organisations worldwide since 2010 through our offices in Afghanistan, Kenya, Tunisia, and Germany covering Asia and Africa. For more information visit www.samuelhall.org
CHILDREN & YOUTH PILLAR: Over half the world’s population is under 30 – young people frequently presented as burdens or risks, and children as victims to be protected. Samuel Hall takes a different approach. Our work amplifies their voices and celebrates them as forces for development, and drivers of positive social and political change. We specialise in (participatory) research into key transitions: supporting children and youth practically in accessing education, health, and other services; foundational rights: realising the rights accorded them in the UNCRC, and aspirations: upholding their agency in shaping their own futures. We work with child-friendly and child-focused organisations as well as international organisations, NGOs, and private foundations such as
UNICEF, IOM, the World Bank, and Save the Children to develop impactful and actionable research.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: We are a rapidly growing research organisation: you will be expected to grow with us and carve out your own spot in the team. We look for pro-active, creative individuals who can identify opportunities to make their mark and identify solutions to problems. We believe in hiring people who can show their ability to be both strong leaders and reliable team-players, and able to add value from the very start. We hire people who can expand our knowledge and help us reach our social impact objective in their field of expertise. We work in a fast-paced, demanding, and challenging environment.
NATURE OF THE ROLE
Management of research and related activities
● Lead the design of research tools and research methodologies on relevant topics
● Conduct secondary research, literature reviews and key informant interviews
● Manage project team members both in head office and field locations
● Undertake socio-economic research, monitoring and evaluations and consulting missions
● Coordinate activities with relevant partners in close collaboration with research area leads
● Manage and train project team members both in office and field locations
● Lead the development and authoring of research papers, concept notes, draft and final reports, and other documentation as required during the ongoing projects at an academic level
● Monitor and evaluate the work of team members and project components under supervision
● Draft proposals based on pillars’ business development plans and strategies and as requested
● Provide strong analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, and recommendations in line with policy and academic
standards
● Manage and conduct fieldwork in multiple countries which entails qualitative and quantitative research
● Maintain internal processes
Coordination between stakeholders
● Liaise with stakeholders at all levels – including donors and government representatives – presenting Samuel Hall and its research partners in a clear and professional manner
● Prepare presentations for stakeholders (internal and external)
● Train national and international teams on components of the project cycle
● Contribute to business development efforts where relevant, based on knowledge of clients, such as proposal development and research opportunities
VACANCY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants should have a PhD in a related field (education or child protection) with 2+ years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree with 5+ years of relevant research experience. Must have proven expertise in Child- and Youth-related research and desire for a strong role in strengthening the pillar’s thematic knowledge. Should be able to articulate how their skillset will specifically add to the pillar and Samuel Hall’s work. Particularly relevant expertise may include:
● Developing and implementing child-friendly and child-focused research methodologies, including participatory and
innovative research methodologies
● Understanding of child safeguarding and ethical research with children
● Understanding and experience of and/or background in education, rights, migration, and employment, or specific relevant child-focused issue areas; youth-focused expertise, or a focus on girls and young women, is also desirable
Applicants must also have proven strong experience in the project management of research in diverse and challenging contexts, and understanding of contracting, administration, and finance needs. Experience with working with child-focused organisations and international organisations and their programming, priorities and frameworks is highly desirable.
The Research Manager is further required to have:
● Proven experience in writing research papers, consultancy reports, evaluation assignments and policy briefs
● Proven experience in project management, experience in managing field research preferred
● Proven experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis and tools (for example MS Excel, SPSS, NVIVO)
● Relevant programmatic/operational experience in the research topics covered in the Children and Youth Pillar
● Keen attention to detail
● Ability to cope well under pressure, work occasionally irregular hours and meet tight deadlines
● Excellent spoken and written skills in English; French preferred; Arabic desirable
Location TBC
Contract duration 2 years
Vacancy closure Open until filled
Preferred background
Master’s degree: PhD preferred – International development, education, migration studies, social sciences, or related
field
How to apply
All applicants should send their cover letter and CV in separate PDF files, each labelled: “CL/CV – Full name of Applicant” with the e-mail subject line clearly expressed: “Name – Children and Youth Pillar PM”.
Three samples of relevant work and three references should also be included.
Submission e-mail [email protected]
Applicants who progress to later rounds of the recruitment process will be expected to complete a written assessment.
Samuel Hall is an equal opportunities employer. Applicants who do not follow the required format will not be considered. Only selected applicants will be notified, and interviews are conducted on a rolling basis.