Technical Advisor for Research, Center for Applied Learning and Impact at IREX

Your Background & Skills 

• Bachelor’s Degree, plus eight (8) + years of experience in behavioral science, global development or relevant field, with a PhD in a relevant field strongly preferred, or equivalent professional qualifications. 
• Master's degree preferred, plus 4-6 years of experience in social science research in global development, including global youth development, education, governance, leadership, media, and/or inclusion preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience applying research methods to evaluation and learning. 
• Demonstrated experience working with non-researcher colleagues to apply research findings and recommendations.  
• Demonstrated experience drafting proposals for research grant opportunities, preferred. 
• Excellent research and technical writing skills and a track record of producing strong technical products.  
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, high level of reliability, and track record of follow-through.  
• Excellent oral communication skills with the ability to present the results of efforts through public speaking engagements, etc.  
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including academics, governments, private sector, civil society, etc.  
• Outstanding interpersonal, intercultural and collaboration skills.  
• Thorough understanding of how to design and implement research that integrates principles of equity and inclusion. 
• Ability to plan strategically and creatively to meet specified objectives.  
• Ability to learn through feedback and collaboration with others across the organization.  
• Proficient using Microsoft Office Suite and statistical analysis software. 
• Well-versed in database management. 
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in additional language(s) preferred. 
• You must have unrestricted authorization to work in the country where you are based.

Your Daily Tasks 

• Contribute to developing and implementing research priorities for IREX with particular focus on expanding awareness of IREX’s capabilities and enhancing the impact of IREX through research projects, tools and approaches. 
• Develop methods and opportunities to build capacities of teams and individuals to be able to design and carry out research effectively.  
• Lead and oversee research initiatives for possible project adoption or scaling up. 
• Leverage evaluation and learning from across IREX to strengthen the quality of IREX technical work and impact.  
• Use innovative approaches to promote learning and adaptation. 
• Integrate research and insights into IREX’s innovation, applied learning, business development and thought leadership initiatives. 
• Provide research technical expertise related to education, youth, leadership, citizen engagement and advocacy, institution building and information and media. 
• Monitor, review, and synthesize tools/trends and guide organizational efforts to keep abreast of approaches that advance research and learning.  
• Collaborate with other units of the organization on research capacity building for non- specialists. 
• Coordinate relationships with external and internal partners. 
• Represent IREX externally to funders and the international development community; build and nurture those relationships. 
• Develop and implement communications strategies for research products and findings; author articles, insight pieces, and social media content to contribute to IREX's external presence related to research projects. 
• Promote IREX's participation and represent IREX in conferences and industry functions. 
• Work with the Strategy and Development team to identify and select high priority (internal and external) research opportunities and develop and oversee appropriate plans to leverage them. 
• Spearhead the development of research designs, tools and approaches. 
• Lead and/or contribute to program and proposal development, which can include strategic positioning, opportunity assessment, proposal writing or designing program implementation approaches. 
• Bring creative and innovative research approaches to enhance IREX's strategic initiatives, programs and impact. 
• Identify opportunities for strategic research partnerships for IREX, coordinate and communicate with potential and existing partners. 
• Leverage strategic products and services to strengthen existing partnerships and/or create new partnerships. 
• Design, write, or review proposals, concepts and expressions of interest. 
• Develop methods and opportunities to build capacities of teams and individuals to implement research projects effectively. 
• Proactively support CALI team to strengthen its overall performance. 
• Leverage subject matter expertise of staff across IREX to enhance the quality of IREX’s work. 
• Provide direct project oversight and/or support as assigned. 
• Other support duties as needed.