Senior Advisor, Research and Learning

Title: Senior Advisor, Research and Learning

Division: Programs & Partnerships (P&P)

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting Relationship: Director, Research and Learning

SUMMARY

The Senior Advisor, Research and Learning provides social and behavioral science research expertise in support of ChildFund International’s (ChildFund’s) thought leadership initiatives, learning agenda, and research program. The Senior Advisor, Research and Learning supports and facilitates research and evaluation design efforts, manages the execution and quality of research studies, and supports internal processes of reflection and learning within and across technical areas within P&P and the organization overall. S/He plays a strategic and active role in the development of learning products and the communication and use of research results internally and externally.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

ChildFund International is committed to a workplace culture that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Furthermore, ChildFund International is committed to ensuring a workplace that safeguards and protects all children, including preventing their sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as preventing the sexual exploitation and abuse of its staff, partners, and program participants.

Research Program Development (25%)

· Actively contribute to the development and implementation of ChildFund’s 2030 Strategy Results Framework.

· Actively contribute to the framing and development of ChildFund’s learning agenda and research program.

· Support the design of research and evaluation frameworks for ChildFund’s thought leadership initiatives and other intervention projects and programs.

· Support the development and maintenance of organizational processes for research ethics (Institutional Review Board) review.

Research/Evaluation Design and Oversight (35%)

· Develop study plans with technical leads that are consistent with the learning agenda and ChildFund’s priority programmatic interventions (e.g., Program Models).

· Collaborate with technical leads and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) colleagues in P&P and in COs to develop, implement, and monitor research initiatives that inform and provide evidence for program priorities.

· Support the development of MEL frameworks and study plans for key grants, as required.

· Manage multiple research and evaluation processes and products.

· Develop tools to support P&P and COs to pursue high quality research initiatives and products and ensure high-quality execution of research activities and products.

· Supervise external consultants/contractors regarding study methods and implementation.

Learning Products, Knowledge Management, and Dissemination (25%)

· Contribute to the design and implementation of knowledge management plans and processes to support research initiatives and the sharing of research findings and evidence (e.g., Evidence Repository).

· Review research and evaluation findings, conduct literature reviews, and develop learning products and dissemination strategies to communicate and facilitate the use of research results with a variety of internal and external audiences.

· Design, write and edit documents, articles, chapters and reports which summarize findings of research and evaluation initiatives.

· Co-author articles for conferences and professional journals, which may include synthesizing relevant literature, conducting literature reviews, collaborating with COs as co-authors, and presenting at regional and global conferences.

Resource Mobilization (15%)

· Support the development of and manage partnerships with academic and research institutions to support and collaborate on research, learning and dissemination initiatives.

· Support the pursuit of funding for research initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

Required

· 8 years of experience in applied child development, human development, child welfare and/or child protection research, at least two years of international experience preferred.

· Proven experience in program monitoring and evaluation and research design and supporting team learning processes.

· Advanced knowledge of qualitative and qualitative approaches to social and behavioral science research methods and statistical analysis.

· Demonstrated project management skills and the ability to support diverse cross-functional teams across geographies.

· Organized, detail-oriented, self-reliant and self-directed, good problem solver and strategic thinker, results oriented, and team player individual.

· Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, work well under pressure and meet deadlines.

· Excellent presentation, public speaking and interpersonal skills.

· Strong computer skills, with familiarity in using SharePoint and Microsoft Office suite applications (particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

· Advanced proficiency in one or more statistical software packages (SPSS, STATA, SAS, etc.).

· Experience with Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes.

· Ability to travel internationally.

Preferred:

· Experience in collecting data for and conducting economic analysis (cost savings, benefit-cost) of interventions.

· Desired statistical analysis skills include correlational techniques, significance testing, ANOVA, multivariate regression, and structural equation modeling.

· Experience with qualitative analysis software (e.g., NIVIVO).

· Bilingual (English with French, Spanish, and/or Portuguese).

· Ability to manage and mentor 1-2 other staff if needed, including coaching, and performance management if necessary.

EDUCATION

· Master’s degree in a field related to child development and protection (Psychology, Social Work, Public Health, Sociology).

· PhD or equivalent research experience preferred.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. (for Washington DC applicants) or in the specified country (for Global applicants) at the time of application.

EOE/M/F/D/V