Research and Development Manager – Home Based Volunteer Position

Research & Development Manager – Home Based Volunteer Position

Commitment: 1 year Hours: 12-40 hours weekly to be agreed

Location: Anywhere with good communications & Internet, even during COVID crisis

Pay: Unpaid Volunteer. No stipend. Only pre-agreed expenses paid.

Reporting To: R&D Director and in his/her absence the Executive Director

What Young Peacebuilders (YP) Does

Young Peacebuilders nurtures peacebuilding passion and skills in children and youth. We do this through partnerships, research, projects, and tools that help young people build peace in their own communities and abroad. In this way YP helps prevent and end cycles of violence. We also help design effective child and youth peacebuilding projects, tools, and research for others. Our goal is to see a major shift in the dominant method of addressing contemporary conflicts toward investing in young people as peacebuilders. More at YoungPeacebuilders.com.

Description

The successful candidate will be passionate about YP’s mission and assist the R&D Director in creating and implementing our strategic approach to research, M&E, program development and training.

Responsibilities

Implement and help to manage YP’s Research, M&E and Training activities

• Collaborate with R&D Director to plan and implement YP’s research, M&E, and training activities. This may include, but is not limited to: developing necessary tools and plans, analyzing research data, and writing reports as needed. Supervise research design, activities and researchers undertaking specific tasks in relevant areas. Help develop and manage timelines to ensure strategic plans are carried out in a timely manner
• Help develop policies and procedures for the R&D department which reflect ethical practices, and ensure that they are updated in line with curricular and programmatic needs
• Monitor and evaluate R&D activities to ensure R&D workplan goals are being achieved
• Collaborate with R&D Director to create an implementation plan for developing YPC training for YPCs and partners within a reasonable timeframe. Supervise implementation of training development activities.
• Effectively manage and develop YP Research and Development Team member, and any short-term consultants
• As needed, coordinate with HR for recruitment of additional R&D team members, and help to orient new R&D team members
• As needed, coordinate with Tech Team to implement the development of YPC Leaderboard and ensure YP website is accurately updated with R&D information
• Utilize research findings to inform practice, continuously improve programmes and reframe research priorities in line with “what works”

Promote the organization

• Coordinate with our Communications Team to support implementation of our communication plan to promote the organization to its donors and maximize public awareness of giving opportunities
• Build relationships with stakeholders to advance the mission and research & development goals of the organization
• Promote knowledge sharing between YP staff and relevant international organizations and stakeholders (including academia), promoting synergies and cooperation (e.g. via arranging e-learning, webinars, seminars, conferences and workshops).

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or similar experience, in business, non-profit management, political science, peace and conflict studies, international relations, international development, education, health, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• 4+ years of experience with activities in research, peace building, child protection, working with youth, international development, and/or international education
• Experience developing partnerships with small and large NGOs, community-based organizations, foundations, and/or governments
• Passionate about YP’s mission with the ability to collaboratively discern priority objectives amidst shifting challenges and opportunities
• 2-plus years in a management position in business, nonprofit organization, foundation, or government agencies and degree in relevant field or equivalent mix of experience.
• Knowledge of research management, and solid English writing skills, particularly in writing reports or proposals.
• Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve the finances of the organization and to create new opportunities
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Foster Teamwork: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problem, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities.
• Plan: set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
• Experience in cross-cultural settings, and working remotely with teams across the world
• Fluency in English, both written and oral