Innovation and Research Lead

Chemonics seeks an Innovation and Research Lead for the anticipated Department for International Development (DFID) Data, Accountability, Innovation and Research in Education (DAIRE) project in Islamabad, Pakistan. The project has an estimated value of £30M. DAIRE will support strengthening Pakistan’s education data management system at the federal level through collection, analysis and reporting of data, improve learning assessments and establish partnerships for further research and innovation. The DAIRE project is part of a larger DFID Pakistan New Education Portfolio anticipated starting 2020 through 2025 which is projected to also encompass three provincial level programs. We are seeking individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities include:

• Working with the Team Lead, develop a context-specific innovation and research strategy for the DAIRE project
• Define and prioritize key innovation and research activities based on project objectives
• Identify and liaise with potential innovation partners to pursue DAIRE’s innovation strategy, and actively contribute to selection of partners
• Development of analytical PPP framework tools and guidelines based on the legal framework available at the Federal and Provincial levels
• Support development and mobilization of an established research consortium
• Engage and collaborate with institutions and research partners on challenges and solutions within Pakistan’s education sector
• Engage and collaborate with private actors, developing public-private-partnerships and introduce new approaches to harness the private sector
• Support creation and dissemination of a body of evidence based on rigorous research in areas of teaching and learning
• Sharing best practices and creating synergies through research and innovation mechanisms, consortia and other avenues
• Facilitate and engage in workshops, meetings and presentations
• Produce periodic reports and feed into annual reports on strategy and progress towards deliverables

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Master’s degree or its equivalent with 7 years of relevant experience, or alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of relevant experience
• Experience working with investors or other private sector actors on public-private partnerships or other innovative financing mechanisms in Pakistan
• Experience developing proposals for resource mobilization, managing and maintaining partnerships and monitoring and reporting on funds in accordance with donor agreements
• Strong understanding of the role of the private sector in education and PPP financing mechanisms. Knowledge about different PPP mechanisms at the Provincial level in Pakistan would be an added advantage.
• Strong research and public policy experience in areas of school leadership, teaching, and data and accountability
• Experience in social research, with a focus on technology and governance issues in education sector, preferably in Pakistan
• Experience in social and/or technology innovation
• Experience in open data and/or open government initiatives
• Knowledge of Pakistan’s education systems strongly preferred
• Strong representation skills with government, donor organizations and non-government stakeholders
• Strong bilingual communication skills, including both written and oral, in English and Urdu
• Ability to communicate effectively in a cross-cultural environment
• Experience working on donor-funded projects preferred
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity