Research and Learning Consulting – Research Systems Strengthening at Mastercard Foundation

• The Research and Learning Department of the Mastercard Foundation implements partnerships and activities that seek to generate knowledge products and evidence to support the Foundation’s strategies and programs. Knowledge and expertise generated through research remain the bedrock of the Foundation to drive data-driven and creative interventions to magnify impact and realize the objectives of the strategy. The Research and Learning Department anchors the research needs of the different programs within the Foundation to assure quality programming, relevance and consistency with Foundation’s values and the principles of its Research Strategy.

The work of the Research and Learning Department is implemented through five (5) pillars: Strategic Research, Program Research, Research Systems Strengthening, Knowledge Mobilization and Program Learning. All the pillars are aligned with the Mastercard Foundation’s core values that have a strong commitment to ensuring that:

• Research is strategic and applied for uptake and Impact.
• Knowledge generation is rooted in co-creation and seeks to amplify historically marginalized voices. Hence, research requires deep engagement and ownership by individuals, communities, institutions, and nations. We seek to accompany Indigenous and African stakeholders as they amplify their knowledge and voices through research.
• Research methods are ethical, rigorous and are respectful of culture and context. Research methods are selected according to learning questions and must uphold the dignity and ethics of individuals and communities. Respect for both culture and context are central to our work.
• Approaches to research and learning are non-extractive and promote reciprocity and restitution. Research is about ethical stewardship and custodianship and engagement with communities to take back knowledge and for validation is promoted.
• Learning is co-created, easy to apply, current, relevant, and targeted the Foundation’s’ and partner needs.

If you are an experienced Research Professional looking to increase your impact, read on!
THE OPPORTUNITY

• The Foundation’s Research and Learning Department is seeking to fill a Research Systems Strengthening Consultant role. The assignment is expected to be carried out remotely over a period of 12 months, starting in March 2024. The consultant will work closely with relevant Research Leads, who will supervise the consultant’s work, progress, and deliverables. Regular assessments will be conducted to ensure that the work is progressing as planned, and any necessary adaptations will be agreed upon in a timely manner.
• The purpose of this consultancy assignment is to coordinate and provide technical support to ongoing and upcoming partnerships within the Research and Learning Department. S/he will provide relevant technical expertise, coordinate, and work closely with the Research and Learning team and partners for effective implementation and completion of all research and learning-related activities.

The consultant will collaborate with the Research and Learning team as well as others across the Foundation and external partners to accomplish some of the tasks outlined below:

• Support the coordination and completion of ongoing research and learning activities.
• Support the development of concept notes and terms of references for upcoming research and learning partnerships.
• Support the review of concept notes, reports, policy briefs and other knowledge products submitted by partners for internal and external use.
• Provide technical support to the Research and Learning team and partners in reviewing the research and technical design of ongoing and upcoming research and learning-related activities.
• Review the methodology, research tools, and sampling strategies of partnerships to ensure they consistently align with set objectives.
• Provide technical support and assessment of the quality and alignment of all other products designed/submitted by partners.
• Assist in producing state-of-the-art knowledge products to engage and meet the needs of various audience groups and help to coordinate and implement online and in-person learning engagements.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Support the development of concept notes and Terms of References to guide partnership development for strengthening research systems and knowledge networks in Africa, including indigenous and other knowledges.
• Support the development and review of proposals and reports submitted for research systems strengthening partnerships, including assessment of the quality of reports/knowledge products for research systems strengthening.
• Support undertaking of systematic reviews and synthesis reports as part of the research systems strengthening activities.
• Provide support in the technical and methodological design for research systems strengthening partnerships to ensure consistency and alignment.
• Support the design of partnerships involving indigenous communities to ensure alignment with indigenist research principles.

Who You Are

• A Ph.D./Master’s/MBA in global development, the social sciences, education, public policy, and /or another related field is an asset.
• Experience working in a dynamic, fast-paced environments and ability to be flexible and responsive to changing needs.
• Experience in undertaking research/consultancy work in the fields of education, the social sciences and humanities, development and/or public policy within non-profit organizations, international NGO’s and/or learning institutions.
• Expertise in researching development, political, economic, cultural, and social issues across Africa.
• Understanding of research methodologies and approaches, especially in socio-economic transformations/growth and development policy.
• Experience in effectively engaging with technical experts and institutions to build communities of practice.
• Ability to plan for and prioritize multiple enterprise-wide initiatives with varying timelines.
• Strong research skills with the ability to translate findings to technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience in undertaking research and development work among indigenous communities.
• Young people with research experience and requisite qualifications will be given preference.
• Ability to work in multiple languages, especially English and French will be considered an asset.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.