Research and Design Lead at Food for the Hungry (FH Kenya)

Expat Post Status: Accompanied
Reports To: Chief of Party

Position Purpose

The Research and Design Lead will provide technical leadership to formative research activities, refinement of the Theory of Change, and development of a locally adapted programmatic approach to sustainably reduce levels of acute malnutrition in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in Kenya within the USAID Title II Food for Peace funded Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) program. This role will additionally ensure the appropriateness and rigor of research methods, overseeing data collection and analysis related to formative research, and ascertain whether research results are useful and applicable for making decisions on program design.

Responsibilities

Please note: this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Key Result #1 – Research for improved program impact in reducing acute malnutrition.

• Provide technical leadership to the formative research activities during Phase 1 of the Project;
• Design, adopt and refine theory of change (TOC) in alignment with food security project interventions;
• Ensure the appropriateness and rigor of research methods and oversee data collection and analysis;
• Ensure research results are useful and applicable for making program design decisions;
• Consolidate research results/outcomes to facilitate program decision making and integration of learning to project phase 2;
• Define program quality standards and accountability systems and ensure they are adhered to;
• Spearhead coordination and collaboration of program, research and technical staff / experts and other key stakeholders including Government of Kenya, USAID and partners.

Key Result #2 – Coordination and collaboration for enhanced program synergies.

• Ensure close coordination of research activities across all program activities to ensure synergistic operation;
• Work closely with the Strategic Learning Lead and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Lead to ensure learning and knowledge application is on course through-out project life;
• Participate in regular senior management meetings and provide insights to inform technical and operational decisions.

Key Result #3 – Communication to Internal and External Stakeholders.

• Develop and implement a research dissemination strategy, feedback adaptation and advocacy initiatives;
• Provide technical support to project teams in the development and distribution of research tools, materials, and reports;
• Ensure representation of FH and consortium in various research and networking forums.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty/function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ and Christian commitment to serving the poor and in full agreement with FH’s Christian foundation and beliefs as expressed in

The Heartbeat: our Values, Vision, and Purpose;

• Excellent people skills including warmth and sensitivity, interpersonal communication skills, conversational, able to relate to and effectively communicate with people from different cultures (at various levels within the organization);
• Strong team player and adept at creating a strong team spirit;
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to plan and coordinate work, focus on details, ensure the efficient flow of projects and processes;
• High integrity and a strong sense of professional ethics;
• Able to self-manage a diverse and dynamic set of responsibilities, proactively solve problems and / or suggest viable solutions while advancing goals and objectives;
• Demonstrated computer operating skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office products, Google platform, and virtual technologies such as Skype and / or GoToMeeting;
• Comfortable and persuasive when speaking before both large and small groups;
• Ability to interact positively with all levels of the organization and across organizational and cultural boundaries;
• Proven ability to work creatively and independently both in the field and in the office;
• In-depth understanding of applicable research methods and project design;
• Experience in programming USAID Title II development programs, including developing learning agendas;
• Understanding of USAID’s CLA Framework and how it can improve programming;
• Demonstrated experience gathering research data, developing adaptation strategies, and communicating findings to internal and external stakeholders;
• Knowledge of adaptive management techniques;
• Demonstrated experience in food security, knowledge management, organizational learning, and capacity strengthening;
• Field work experience in research, design and evaluation, especially in the area of acute malnutrition;
• Working knowledge of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programs;
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions;
• Medical fitness to live and travel in rural and urban areas with extreme conditions and limited medical support;
• Ability to travel up to 50% of time per year to remote project sites in northern Kenya.

Education and Experience: An advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in a relevant field of study plus a minimum of 10 years relevant work experience required; Education and experience in designing and evaluating nutrition implementation research is preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supervisor Responsibilities: This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Language: Proficiency in spoken and written English. Proficiency in Swahili preferred. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.