Career Opportunities at Save the Children NGO - 4 Positions

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Research Coordinator will be required to support research activities under the review of strategies for integrating Child Protection (CP) and Child Rights Governance (CRG) in primary education programmes of Save the Children Somalia/Somaliland. The project is to be implemented in collaboration with CP, CRG and Education technical teams of the Country Office (CO), and with SC Norway. The purpose of the research is to assess the feasibility and expected effectiveness of various potential CP/CRG initiatives to integrate in Education programmes.

The research coordinator, with the support of the Director of REALM (Research, Evaluation, Analysis, Learning and Monitoring) and Research Advisory Group, will be based at Nairobi with frequent visits required to collect data and hold workshops in all three areas (Somaliland, Puntland, and South & Central Somalia). The specific activities include literature review, data collection tools development, conduct training to enumerators, facilitate participatory strategy review workshops, data analysis and drafting report.

Working closely with the Director of REALM, the Research Coordinator will support the day-to-day research activities under the project. He/she will bring a high level of technical competence and experience in order to supervise all field activities focused on data collection and data processing. He/she will be responsible for ensuring adequate planning for fieldwork and commitment to agreed deadlines. In addition, he/she will support analysis and reporting using collected data.

The Research Coordinator will play a central role in training of field research staff for the project with supports from Area MEAL Managers. In addition, he/she will be responsible for ensuring technical competence and capacity building of the field staff.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Director of Research, Evaluation, Analysis, Learning and Monitoring (REALM)

Dimensions: Save the Children International works in Somalia/Somaliland with a current staff complement of approximately 400 and expenditure of approximately $45 million in 2015.

Number of staff directly reporting to this post: 12-15

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Conduct literature review on integration of CP/CRG with primary education
• Assist the research team in compiling potential strategies of integrating CP/CRG components in primary education
• Support design, as well as pilot and adapt all data collection instruments.
• Oversee all field activities and ensure commitment to deadlines.
• Proactively support the recruitment of the research team in the field, including data collectors, qualitative note-takers and enumerators.
• Encourage a culture of professional excellence in field research teams, and adequately communicate and respond to capacity building requirements.
• Manage staff in challenging environments and ensure balance between safety of personnel and quality of data.
• Anticipate, identify and resolve all problems related to field implementation in a timely fashion by ensuring adequate contingency planning and, where relevant, escalating problems to the project management.
• Oversee all data collection and ensure adherence to the standard dimensions of data quality.
• Oversee and where necessary undertake appropriate spot-checks and other verification exercises for collected data.
• Oversee data cleaning and processing, including entry to a standard software package.
• Conduct preliminary analysis of collected data according to pre-agreed timeframes. Ensure use of adequate data visualisation tools to enrich presentation of research findings.
• Share findings from data analysis at participatory strategy review workshop, and facilitate these workshops
• Maintain strong working relationship with technical teams of the Somalia/Somaliland Country Office and Save the Children Norway.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Problem solving and Decision Making

· Undertakes operations in a complex environment through technical competence, anticipating challenges, and developing appropriate mitigation measures.

· Responds promptly to emerging problems and takes appropriate decisions.

· Explores and analyses data trends, as well as their potential impact on strategic choices.

Professional self-development

• Identifies clear development needs and development plans through regular constructive reviews of their own performance.
• Maintains a close view of staff capacity and performance, and responds adequately to gaps.
• Gives regular positive and constructive feedback to others.
• Self-learner of new research tools and methods
• Creates space for others to learn and provides challenging and stretching tasks and assignments when people are ready for them.

Analytical ability

• Ability to assess quality of research and evidence
• Think critically about applicability of evidence in programming from programme improvement and feasibility perspective
• Ability to synthesize research from various academic literature

Accountability

· Holds self-accountable in 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.

Collaboration

· Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters

· 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

· At least Bachelor degree in economics, education, development studies or relevant discipline.

· Two years of experience in similar research-focused positions.

· Knowledge and demonstrated experience of designing and managing research studies.

· Proven experience in research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative methods.

· Familiar with computer adapted data collection platforms

· Conversant with data analysis software, preferably STATA.

· Demonstrated ability to think critically, strategically and analyse complex information and offer creative, practical and effective solutions

· Fluency (verbal and written) in English is essential.

· Commitment to Save the Children International values.

· Able and willing to live and work in harsh environments.

CHILD SAFEGUARING POLICY:

Any employee, consultant, contractor or the supplier undertaking an activity on behalf of SCI must sign the Child Safeguarding – Declaration of Acceptance Form] and comply with the SCIs Child Safeguarding Policy which is a statement of SCI’s commitment to preventing abuse and protecting children with whom it comes into contact.

This extends not only to children with whom SCI and its partners work directly, but also includes children whom staff are responsible for. SCI believes that the situation of children must be improved through the promotion of their rights supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children International’s Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.

go to method of application »

ROLE PURPOSE:

 

The Research Fellow (Child Protection) will be the senior lead in generating evidence for child protection and child rights governance programmes of the Country Office. Using empirical research approaches, the Research Fellow will identify research opportunities and conduct research to measure effectiveness of child protection programmes and provide knowledge supports in improving effectiveness. S/he will extract learning from wider research and practitioner communities to increase innovativeness and inform policy especially within the humanitarian and development sectors to deepen the impact of our work on children’s lives. S/he will establish linkages with academic institutions and position the Somalia/Somaliland Country Office as a thought leader and influencer on child protection of the country.

 

SCOPE OF ROLE:

 

Reports to: Director of REALM

 

Dimensions: Save the Children International works in Somalia/Somaliland with a current staff complement of approximately 400 staff and current expenditure of approximately 40$ million in 2015.

 

Staff directly reporting to this post: 2 and above (Research Associates)

 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

 

· Contribute to Save the Children International (SCI) strategic development and delivery in strategic breakthrough on child protection issues, and in particular for Somalia and Somaliland

 

· Lead the development and implementation of a coherent and coordinated research strategy on child protection programmes that aim to improve quality and impact of SCI child protection work in the country and possible integration with other sectors

 

· Actively promote positive attitudes towards child protection, girls’ empowerment and gender equality, both internally and externally

 

· Lead research, evaluations and innovations to understand what works in Somalia/Somaliland and how can they be improved

 

· Provide ideas and create new ways of framing or achieving policy changes

 

· Contribute in mobilizing resources for programme and research through competitive research bids, networking, and pre-positioning

 

· Lead the writing of proposals, presentations and pitches for new research contracts

 

· Direct the development and delivery of research and evaluation services

 

· Provide technical supports for monitoring of child protection and child rights projects

 

· Line manage and mentor research associates to conduct research

 

· Apply leading-edge thinking and best practice at all stages of the research process and ensure that SCI research and evaluation outputs are delivered to the highest standards, on time and on budget

 

· Bring research, analytical and quality assurance expertise to projects, especially in the design, implementation and reporting stages

 

· Work with Line Manager and other SMT members to proactively shape the CO’s work and deliver innovation in our research and data visualisation.

 

· Represent CO in research and policy discussions to share research findings

 

· Establish and maintain strong working relationship with technical teams of the Somalia/Somaliland Country Office, Save the Children Members and academia to initiate, adapt or test new practices, approaches or methodologies with a view of improving our work in the Country Programme

 

· Enhance SCI Somalia/Somaliland’s Country Office capability in research and evaluations through designing and implementing effective capacity building measures and development and maintaining an institutionalised knowledge base

 

· Follow the cutting edge research findings in child protection and gender to facilitate utilization of knowledge in programming

 

COMPETENCIES AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

 

Innovating and Adapting (Leading Edge level)

 

• Drives innovations and breakthrough solutions to improve protection outcomes for children
• Promotes a culture and work environment to test new ideas, takes risk and learns from failures
• Embeds and scale evidence-based change to deliver enduring transformation for children
• Builds the confidence of others in their own ability to develop new ideas and embrace change
• Generates learning for the organization and evidence for impact and quality of our work
• Brings the best of innovations from our partnerships and other sectors in the organization
• Identifies the need for gender analysis and integration within Research, Evaluation, Analysis, Learning and Monitoring
• Sponsors initiatives to ensure that people, processes and technology create an agile organization, responding quickly to external events

 

Applying Technical and Professional Expertise (Leading Edge level)

 

• Demonstrates knowledge of the clear connection between gender equality and child rights, and what this means for programming
• Sets and drives standards for the child protection programme to deliver better outcomes for children
• Aligns technical and professional standards to support our strategy
• Coordinates and harness professional expertise across the organization
• Shares knowledge and best practices on technical solutions so that others can make best use of that expertise

 

Communicate with Impact (Leading Edge Level)

 

• Delivers influential advice and briefings to internal and external audiences to build the call for action
• Builds behind the scene support for ideas
• Conveys complex issues with clarity, brevity and confidence

 

Problem solving and Decision Making (Accomplished level)

 

• Produces data and evidence to drive decision making and quality improvement
• Provides frameworks to support decision making
• Explores and analysis external trends and their potential impact on strategic choices

 

Developing self and others (Accomplished level)

 

• Gives regular positive and constructive feedback to others
• Identifies clear development needs and development plans through regular constructive reviews of their own performance (and their team’s where appropriate)
• Creates space for others to learn and provides challenging and stretching tasks and assignments when people are ready for them
• Coaches others to learn from their experiences on the job and to use the resources available to them

 

Networking (Accomplished level)

 

• Builds trust with contacts through openness and honesty
• Participates effectively in sensitive, complex and/or high impact relationships and networks
• Builds strong relationships with a broad range of stakeholders
• Spots opportunities to bring together partnerships/working alliances that have not been used before

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

 

· At least 5 years’ experience in research related to child protection and girls’ empowerment

 

· Post-graduate level academic competence (preferably with doctoral degree) in anthropology or related discipline

 

· Credibility and influence (externally and internally) through depth and breadth of expertise; the ability to give professional support and direction to others; seek, review and apply best practice from elsewhere.

 

· Demonstrated ability to conduct high quality research on child protection and experience of publications (including peer reviewed journals)

 

· Experience of conducting mixed-method research with strong quantitative or qualitative background, and competent in measurements of sensitive issues

 

· Intellect, creativity and judgement: original ideas; creative approach; sound judgement, encourage ideas, initiative and innovation in others;

 

· Personal effectiveness/self-management: time, pressure, flexibility, adaptability, commitment to own development;

 

· Leadership and vision: clear vision; ability to secure commitment to vision; initiate and manage change; to earn credibility; to inspire colleagues; to accept responsibility; integrity and fairness;

 

· Considerable proven experience in undertaking and leading the production of policy, research and evaluation outputs in similar organisations (Save the Children)

 

· Knowledge and demonstrated experience of designing and managing high level researches and evaluations

 

· Extensive experience in analysing the situation of children using the child rights programming/ principles framework

 

· Proven track record of policy influencing with partners, government and civil societies/key stakeholders

 

· Demonstrated ability to think critically, strategically and analyse complex information and offer creative, practical and effective solutions

 

· Excellent written and verbal communications skills, and an ability to produce and disseminate research and evaluation outputs to variety of audiences using effective approaches

 

· Strong inter-organisational skill such as networking including donors, negotiation and communication.

 

· Willing and able to travel time to Somalia/Somaliland to support field teams as security permits

 

· High level of fluency in English, both verbal and written, required.

 

· Commitment to Save the Children International values.

 

CHILD SAFEGUARING POLICY:

 

Any employee, consultant, contractor or the supplier undertaking an activity on behalf of SCI must sign the Child Safeguarding – Declaration of Acceptance Form] and comply with the SCIs Child Safeguarding Policy which is a statement of SCI’s commitment to preventing abuse and protecting children with whom it comes into contact.

 

This extends not only to children with whom SCI and its partners work directly, but also includes children whom staff are responsible for. SCI believes that the situation of children must be improved through the promotion of their rights supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children International’s Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.

go to method of application »

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Research Fellow (Health) will be the senior lead in generating evidence for health programmes of the Country Office. Using empirical research approaches, the Research Fellow will identify research opportunities and conduct research to measure effectiveness of health programmes and provide knowledge supports in improving effectiveness. S/he will extract learning from wider research and practitioner communities to increase innovativeness and inform policy, especially within the humanitarian and development sectors to deepen the impact of our work on children’s lives. S/he will establish linkages with academic institutions and position the Somalia/Somaliland Country Office as a thought leader and influencer on health sector of the country.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Director of REALM

Dimensions: Save the Children International works in Somalia/Somaliland with a current staff complement of approximately 400 staff and current expenditure of approximately 40$ million in 2015.

Staff directly reporting to this post: 2 and above (Research Associates)

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

· Contribute to Save the Children International (SCI) strategic development and delivery in strategic breakthrough on children’s health and child survival, and in particular for Somalia and Somaliland

· Lead the development and implementation of a coherent and coordinated research strategy on health programmes that aim to improve quality and impact of SCI work on health sector in the country and possible integration with other sectors

· Lead research, evaluations and innovations to understand what works in Somalia/Somaliland and how can they be improved

· Provide ideas and create new ways of framing or achieving policy changes

· Contribute in mobilizing resources for programme and research through competitive tendering, networking, and pre-positioning

· Lead the writing of proposals, presentations and pitches for new research contracts

· Direct the development and delivery of research and evaluation services

· Provide technical supports for monitoring of health projects

· Line manage and mentor research associates to conduct research

· Apply leading-edge thinking and best practice at all stages of the research process and ensure that SCI research and evaluation outputs are delivered to the highest standards, on time and on budget

· Bring research, analytical and quality assurance expertise to projects, especially in the design, implementation and reporting stages

· Work with Line Manager and other SMT members to proactively shape the CO’s work and deliver innovation in our research and data visualisation.

· Represent CO in research and policy discussions to share research findings

· Establish and maintain strong working relationship with technical teams of the Somalia/Somaliland Country Office, Save the Children Members and academia to initiate, adapt or test new practices, approaches or methodologies with a view of improving our work in the Country Programme

· Enhance SCI Somalia/Somaliland’s Country Office capability in research and evaluations through designing and implementing effective capacity building measures and development and maintaining an institutionalised knowledge base

· Follow the cutting edge research findings in health sector and facilitate utilization of knowledge in health programming

COMPETENCIES AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Innovating and Adapting (Leading Edge level)

• Drives innovations and breakthrough solutions to improve health outcomes for children
• Promotes a culture and work environment to test new ideas, takes risk and learn from failures
• Embeds and scales evidence-based change to deliver enduring transformation for children
• Builds the confidence of others in their own ability to develop new ideas and embrace change
• Generates learning for the organization and evidence for impact and quality of our work
• Brings the best of innovations from our partnerships and other sectors in the organization
• Sponsors initiatives to ensure that people, processes and technology create an agile organization, responding quickly to external events

Applying Technical and Professional Expertise (Leading Edge level)

• Sets and drives standards for the health programme to deliver better outcomes for children
• Aligns technical and professional standards to support our strategy
• Coordinates and harness professional expertise across the organization
• Shares knowledge and best practices on technical solutions so that others can make best use of that expertise

Communicate with Impact (Leading Edge Level)

• Delivers influential advice and briefings to internal and external audiences to build the call for action
• Builds behind the scene support for ideas
• Conveys complex issues with clarity, brevity and confidence

Problem solving and Decision Making (Accomplished level)

• Produces data and evidence to drive decision making and quality improvement
• Provides frameworks to support decision making
• Explores and analysis external trends and their potential impact on strategic choices

Developing self and others (Accomplished level)

• Gives regular positive and constructive feedback to others
• Identifies clear development needs and development plans through regular constructive reviews of their own performance (and their team’s where appropriate)
• Creates space for others to learn and provides challenging and stretching tasks and assignments when people are ready for them
• Coaches others to learn from their experiences on the job and to use the resources available to them

Networking (Accomplished level)

• Builds trust with contacts through openness and honesty
• Participates effectively in sensitive, complex and/or high impact relationships and networks
• Builds strong relationships with a broad range of stakeholders
• Spots opportunities to bring together partnerships/working alliances that have not been used before

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

· At least 5 years’ experience in public health research

· Post-graduate level academic competence (preferably doctoral degree) in public health or related discipline

· Credibility and influence (externally and internally) through depth and breadth of expertise; the ability to give professional support and direction to others; seek, review and apply best practice from elsewhere.

· Demonstrated ability to conduct high quality research on public health and experience of publications (including peer reviewed journals)

· Experience of conducting mixed-method research with strong quantitative background and competent in measurements of health outcomes

· Demonstrated experience in using statistical packages for data analysis is a requirement

· Experience in participatory action research (PAR) is highly desirable

· Ability to work across various themes and departments

· Intellect, creativity and judgement: original ideas; creative approach; sound judgement, encourage ideas, initiative and innovation in others;

· Personal effectiveness/self-management: time, pressure, flexibility, adaptability, commitment to own development;

· Leadership and vision: clear vision; ability to secure commitment to vision; initiate and manage change; to earn credibility; to inspire colleagues; to accept responsibility; integrity and fairness;

· Considerable proven experience in undertaking and leading the production of policy, research and evaluation outputs in similar organisations (Save the Children)

· Knowledge and demonstrated experience of designing and managing high level researches and evaluations

· Extensive experience in analysing the situation of child health using the child rights programming/ principles framework

· Proven track record of policy influencing with partners, government and civil societies/key stakeholders

· Demonstrated ability to think critically, strategically and analyse complex information and offer creative, practical and effective solutions

· Excellent written and verbal communications skills, and an ability to produce and disseminate research and evaluation outputs to variety of audiences using effective approaches

· Strong inter-organisational skill such as networking including donors, negotiation and communication.

· Willing and able to travel time to Somalia/Somaliland to support field teams as security permits

· High level of fluency in English, both verbal and written, required.

· Commitment to Save the Children International values.

CHILD SAFEGUARING POLICY:

Any employee, consultant, contractor or the supplier undertaking an activity on behalf of SCI must sign the Child Safeguarding – Declaration of Acceptance Form] and comply with the SCIs Child Safeguarding Policy which is a statement of SCI’s commitment to preventing abuse and protecting children with whom it comes into contact.

This extends not only to children with whom SCI and its partners work directly, but also includes children whom staff are responsible for. SCI believes that the situation of children must be improved through the promotion of their rights supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children International’s Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.

go to method of application »

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Supervise Research Associates that the fieldworks of research projects are on time and budget
• Oversee all field activities and data quality
• Conduct training of Research Associates and enumerators for specific projects
• Encourage a culture of professional excellence in field research teams, and adequately communicate and respond to capacity building requirements.
• Manage staff in challenging environments and ensure balance between safety of personnel and quality of data.
• Anticipate, identify and resolve all problems related to field implementation in a timely fashion by ensuring adequate contingency planning and, where relevant, escalating problems to the project management.
• Oversee all data collection, and ensure adherence to the standard dimensions of data quality and ethical standards.
• Collect ethical clearances from relevant Ministries or institutions for research projects
• Oversee compliance of data collection and project activities with research design
• Oversee data cleaning and processing, including entry to a standard software package.
• Keep documentation of research project status and archiving of data and reports

· Maintain strong working relationship with technical teams of the Somalia/Somaliland Country Office and Save the Children US.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Problem solving and Decision Making

· Undertakes operations in a complex environment through technical competence, anticipating challenges, and developing appropriate mitigation measures.

· Responds promptly to emerging problems and takes appropriate decisions.

· Explores and analyses data trends, as well as their potential impact on strategic choices.

Developing self and others

• Identifies clear development needs and development plans through regular constructive reviews of their own performance.
• Maintains a close view of staff capacity and performance, and responds adequately to gaps.
• Gives regular positive and constructive feedback to others.
• Creates space for others to learn and provides challenging and stretching tasks and assignments when people are ready for them.
• Coaches others to learn from their experiences on the job and to use the resources available to them.

Communication

· Ability to explain research ideas and questions to non-researchers and research subjects

· Translate complex ideas into locally understandable terms to generate valid data

Analytical ability

• Ability to assess quality of research and evidence
• Think critically about applicability of evidence in programming from programme improvement and feasibility perspective
• Ability to synthesize research from various academic literature

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.

Collaboration

· Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters

· Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength

· Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Integrity

· Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

· At least Bachelor degree in economics, education, development studies or relevant discipline.

· 3-5 years of experience in similar research-focused positions.

· Knowledge and demonstrated experience of designing and managing research studies.

· Proven experience in research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative methods.

· Familiar with computer adapted data collection platforms

· Demonstrated ability to think critically, strategically and analyse complex information and offer creative, practical and effective solutions

· Fluency (verbal and written) in English and Somali is essential.

· Commitment to Save the Children International values.

· Able and willing to live and work in harsh environments.

CHILD SAFEGUARING POLICY:

Any employee, consultant, contractor or the supplier undertaking an activity on behalf of SCI must sign the Child Safeguarding – Declaration of Acceptance Form] and comply with the SCIs Child Safeguarding Policy which is a statement of SCI’s commitment to preventing abuse and protecting children with whom it comes into contact.

This extends not only to children with whom SCI and its partners work directly, but also includes children whom staff are responsible for. SCI believes that the situation of children must be improved through the promotion of their rights supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children International’s Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.