Specialist Research, Evidence and
Learning

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Specialist Research, Evidence and Learning, will lead in generating evidence that will demonstrate the impact of Save the Children (SC) work on children’s lives in Pakistan and support the Advisor Programs to create linkages for the use of evidence for Innovative Programme and Policy work. S/He will create an effective Research and learning system to facilitate evidence based decision-making based on efficient and reliable data management system. S/he will also help strengthen country office’s research capability and support their ability to advance analytical work on quality child rights programming. This position will also institutionalize evidence uptake and learning practices of adaptive Child Rights Programming geared towards achieving lasting outcomes for children.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Research, Evidence and Learnings:

 

• Lead the development and implementation of a coherent and coordinated Research, Evaluation and Learning agenda and plan aimed at improving quality outcomes for children and demonstrating what works for children in Pakistan, in what context and why.

• Participate in Country Office CSP process oversight, tracking implementation of commitments and ensuring that research and learning form the foundation of program design

• Lead on the application of SCI Theory of Change (Innovation, Scale, Be the Voice and Partnerships) with particular reference to Research and Evaluations

• Support the application of Save the Children (SCI) Theory of Change (Innovation, Scale, Be the Voice and Partnerships) with particular reference to learning and impact

• Oversee special studies & assessments that will require oversight from the Senior Technical Advisor and include baseline and end line surveys, operational research on specific interventions.

R&E Uplift & Capacity Building:

• Support analysis of Pakistan county Office (PKCO) R&E capability, interest and ambition and develop a tailor-made enhancement plan

• Ensure that  research and evaluation outputs are delivered to the highest standards and systematically contribute to Country and Global learning agenda

• Enhance PKCO capability in research and evaluations through designing and implementing effective capacity building measures and development and maintaining an institutionalised knowledge base

• Bring research, analytical and relevant quality assurance expertise to Pakistan Program in the entire Programme Life Cycle management

• Facilitate Advisor Programs and team in developing quality benchmarks for all key program interventions to strengthen the quality aspects

  Demonstrating outcomes for Children:

• Undertake analytical work on quality child rights programming to generate sectoral and cross thematic learning’s on trends and opportunities for SC in Pakistan to achieve better outcomes for children

• Direct the development and delivery of research and evaluation services including technical oversight and support

• Bring and apply cutting-edge thinking and best practice at all stages of the research and evaluation processes including child led/child sensitive approaches

Developing, Managing, Disseminating Learning Products and Outlets:

• Lead the development of learning products such as Fact Sheets, Policy briefs, Policy Position papers, Publications etc and innovative ways of packaging such products for children

• Lead the Research work in concert with other programs towards SC  mission, including integrating market intelligence gained by other departments in the research agenda and study design and supporting other program teams in integrating insights learned in their program development

• Build repository/stock of these learning products (including Evaluations and recordings of Asia Learning Series)

• Be a champion in the development of an organizational culture for knowledge sharing and cross learning

  Resourcing Research &Evaluation (R&E)

• Attract and win new business usually through competitive tendering but also through networking, pre-positioning and repeat business to achieve agreed growth targets

• Provide evidence based technical backstopping in writing of proposals, presentations and pitches for new research contracts

Networking and Partnerships:

• Establish and maintain strong working relationship with other technical leads (thematic and cross functional), Save the Children Members and Academia to initiate, adapt or test new practices, approaches or methodologies with a view of improving outcomes for children and our ability to demonstrate and showcase that impact

QUALIFICATIONS 

• SC Pakistan seeks a candidate with a strong technical research background and an orientation towards partnership with other functions to collaborate in driving organizational mission. Must be an analytical, organized, resourceful, and responsible individual with a high degree of professionalism.

• Masters preferably doctoral level academic competence: credibility and influence (externally and internally) through depth and breadth of expertise; the ability to give professional support and direction to others; seek, review and apply best practices.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Must be an analytical, organized, resourceful, and responsible individual with 7 plus years expertise

• Personal effectiveness/self-management: time, pressure, flexibility, adaptability, commitment to own development;

• Considerable proven experience in undertaking and leading the production of policy, research and evaluation outputs in similar organisations

• Knowledge and demonstrated experience of designing and managing high level researches and evaluations

• Extensive experience in analysing the situation of children using the child rights programming/ principles framework

• Proven track record of policy influencing with partners, government and civil societies/key stakeholders

• Demonstrated ability to think critically, strategically and analyse complex information and offer creative, practical and effective solutions

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, and an ability to produce and disseminate research and evaluation outputs to variety of audiences using effective approaches

• Strong inter-organisational skill such as networking including donors, negotiation and communication

• High level of fluency in English, both verbal and written, required.

• Commitment to Save the Children International values

• Considerable experience in the writing of policy papers, research and evaluation reports

• Extensive experience in analysing the situation of children using the child rights programming/ principles framework

• Demonstrated ability to think critically, strategically and analyze complex information and offer creative, practical and effective solutions

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

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.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy.