Research Director at Emerging Talent

• We are seeking an ambitious Director of Research, Learning and Impact to impeccably manage and implement our fast-growing research portfolio and partnerships; institute best-in-class data systems for program monitoring and quality outcomes; and to support translation of research into policy and action. You have a passion for rigorous research implementation and management, are committed to generating knowledge about community health that drives real program design and impact, and to answering questions that will influence practices globally.

Key Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Director of Research, Learning and Impact include, but are not limited to, the following:
Shape our research and learning strategy in a leadership capacity

• Refine the wider learning agenda and research roadmap in support of our community-led health model theory of change, to constantly drive greater impact and learning as we scale
• Identify how the organization can leverage research outputs to influence the global agenda on improving community health, and lead plans for implementation.
• Lead the development of an organization-wide M&E framework including the design of relevant KPIs that monitor and measure program impact in line with the ongoing strategic plan and theory of change.
• Develop and manage the capacity of the Research & Learning team to execute projects that are high quality, impeccably organized, fit within budget and scope, and are completed in time.

Lead research, learning and evaluation study design and deployment

• Design studies and provide technical expertise to ensure rigorous methodologies are undertaken for new research studies and program evaluations, ranging from RCTs and quasi-experimental designs to implementation science and qualitative data collection.
• Provide technical oversight - this includes ensuring programs are implemented with fidelity to the research design, strategic decision-making, as well as analyzing large datasets and generating policy-relevant recommendations.

Implement a high-quality and dynamic monitoring, evaluation and learning system

• Innovate and build efficiencies across the reporting system across the organization to improve linkage between performance management dashboards, targets, and data visualization.
• Ensure effective integration of M&C activities into all programs and projects.
• Institute data quality process and minimum standards across the organization.
• Drive efficient program review mechanisms and feedback loops between program implementation teams, the research and learning team, and Lwala leadership to foster an adaptive, continuous learning approach across the organization.
• Support high-quality, deep-dive analytics that are disseminated effectively to strengthen program impact and design.

Be an effective collaborator for partnership, advocacy, and fundraising

• Develop and manage the strong network of academic, government, and implementing partner relationships to ensure a healthy and productive collaborative atmosphere.
• Create, publish, and disseminate research and policy products to drive the organization’s role as a thought leader in the global health community and with relevant external stakeholders.
• Respond to relevant RFPs, communicate with donors, and provide thought leadership as a technical lead on research and M&E content for high-quality proposals and budgets.
• Drive the development of high-quality program reports and analytics to support grant reporting and communication and advocacy efforts, effectively translating to a non-technical audience.

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in public health, social sciences research, economics, or related field
• Minimum 10 years post-graduate work experience leading quantitative and/or qualitative evaluations, with experience in East Africa and community health preferred.
• Strong technical ability in a variety of evaluative science methodologies, including mixed methods research, implementation science and RCTs
• Exceptional communication and project management skills - you will be serving as a consultant and liaison with outside research, implementation and government partners, and managing complex research studies and budgets
• A history of publishing journal article in peer reviewed journals, policy briefs and similar knowledge outputs
• Experience developing research protocols for IRB review and managing IRB requirements
• Strong knowledge of planning and implementing program monitoring and evaluation methodologies and frameworks, including logframes, KPIs, and results-based management
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and engage effectively with a range of stakeholders including senior managers/leadership, Boards, public and private sector partners, academics
• Proficiency in quantitative statistical analysis, with demonstrated experience in one or more of these software: Stata (preferred), R, or SPSS. MySQL is an added bonus.