Research, Evidence and Learning Manager

ROLE PURPOSE: Save the Children International Afghanistan (SC-Af) aspires to advance its research, evidence and learning ambition within the Country Strategic Plan 2022-2024 and transform into a learning organization. The Research, Evidence and Learning Manager will possess required expertise to drive this aspiration and ambition. In collaboration/under the guidance of Head of Research, Evidence and MEAL maximize strategic evidence generation and utilisation. Lead in developing strategic partnerships with national and international research stakeholders such as local and international research organization and institutions. The candidate will provide technical leadership in research and evidence generation as per an overarching learning agenda, and ensuring evidence is used for learning, new business development and fundraising. The incumbent will work on exchanging best research/evaluation and analysis of monitoring data to inform learning and course correction best practices within the region.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Head of Research, Evidence and MEAL

Staff reporting to this post: National Research and Evaluation Specialist (2)

Budget Responsibilities: None but will manage research and evaluation budgets in CO’s portfolio.

Role Dimensions: Works closely with Technical Advisors and Programme Implementation Managers in implementing research, evidence generation and learning initiatives.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Strategic research and evidence generation

• Lead on filling strategic evidence gaps and implementation of Afghanistan Country Office Learning Agenda
• Coordinate broad research initiatives linked to CSP priorities so as to generate evidence and ensure their uptake into policy domain, development discourse and new project/program design
• Undertake meta-analysis and systemic reviews of key evaluations and research to generate sectoral learning on trends, opportunities, risks etc. and strengthen analysis and communicate programmatic learning to the wider Country Office team
• Work with PDQA Director to develop a culture of learning that is driven by the Country Strategic Plan, initiatives, Program results frameworks, thematic/sector learning agendas whilst encouraging space for innovation and pioneering project design based on evidence and research
• Support Country Office to ensure the Theory of Change is at the centre of building and utilising evidence to inform innovations, scale up interventions, partnership, quality and advocacy.
• Ensure evaluation/baseline and targeted research studies include key variables to understand contextual dynamics of resilience, gender, disability, ethnicity, children centred and geographic remoteness.
• Coordinate update of Global Assessment and Evaluation Tracker and ensure adoption of a strategic approach to baseline and evaluation studies to guarantee effectiveness and efficiency in measurements.

Evidence based learning and reflection

• Tailor relevant technical research papers, reports, briefs and other publications for different national and international audiences including for journals, periodicals etc.
• Establish engaging forums for reflection, learning and evidence-sharing within the Country, Region and across CO teams. Build a culture of reflection and learning amongst the country office and provincial offices.
• Ensure data is systematically and continuously used to identify gaps, emerging trends, and course correction and implementation decisions are guided by this data (within and across programs/functional areas);
• Conduct robust analysis of data generated through programming and research initiatives in a palatable manner to decision maker, program strategy development and ACCM team.
• Support the relevant Programme and MEAL team to develop an Action Plan based on the evaluation recommendations with clear responsibilities for actions and monitoring
• In collaboration with APAC- Research and Evaluation Unit and researchers ensure that evidence generation and evaluations are of high quality and produce valid, reliable, and relevant outcomes towards learning objectives.

Capacity building and coordination

• Lead on implementing capacity building strategy of country office/provincial offices and partner teams to generate and use evidence in program design and project cycle management.
• Identify opportunities to leverage external engagement of research institutions, consultancies, SC Technical Assistance, and the global Analytic Capacity Initiative towards capacity building priorities.
• Maintain the networks and strategic partnerships and accordingly work with research and academic institutions, and think tanks

Knowledge Management

• Support the PDQA unit in establishing and rolling out Country Office knowledge management strategies, with special attention to storing and sharing program experience.
• Champion the use of global and regional Knowledge Management guidelines and platforms.
• Support documentation of the CO program by sharing learnings nationally, at Regional and internal platforms.
• Support thematic Technical Advisors/Specialists in the pro-active collection, analysis, storage and utilization of external evidence and research, including trends and reports, to inform program development and strategic direction of the CO.
• Facilitate the Evaluation Quality Scoring tools for all finalized assessment, baseline survey and evaluation report onto the Global Evaluation and Assessment Repository.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master’s degree in Economics, Measurement, Evaluation, and Research Methodology, Statistics, Social Research or relevant equivalent, with at least significant coursework in quantitative or qualitative research methods. PhD in Development Economics or other mentioned discipline is preferred.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• At least 8 years’ experience in social research, impact evaluation studies, leading/overseeing Baselines/Endlines, knowledge management and knowledge translation.
• Experience in more than one of the Save the Children priority sectors: education, child protection, child rights governance, child poverty, health and nutrition
• Previous work experience in Afghanistan or similar context or capacity to deliver quality research in low resource areas
• Excellent interpersonal communication and leadership skills
• Passion for evidence-driven development programming and interest in ongoing international research
• Demonstrated skills in designing and carrying out qualitative and quantitative research and using research to inform program design and advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience in developing or overseeing data management solutions, and familiar with technologies in social research.
• Excellent analytical skills and appreciation for the complexities of social research, especially as pertains to deprivations of children’s rights.
• Effective at collaborating and influencing across departments and sectors
• Excellent skills in training, capacity building, coaching, and mentoring
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming teams, in emergencies
• Previous experience working in the field and understanding of Afghanistan Country program operations. Experience working in Afghanistan or similar context is a plus.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Significant experience of MEAL approaches
• Significant experience research and quantitative/qualitative study designs

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education, and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize children’s rights and ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document and use format. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.