Job description
We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D.
R4D is seeking an entrepreneurial, strategic, and creative individual to serve as a Program Manager (PM) in its Evaluation and Adaptive Learning (EAL) Practice, working to support R4D’s technology and innovation projects.
Responsibilities
- Your work will encompass a range of tasks related to research implementation, data analysis, project management, business development, and communications. Responsibilities may include:
- Support partners to implement agile and adaptive learning approaches into their work – especially innovation teams piloting technical innovations for social good.
- Guide partners and change agents on how to conduct evaluation and learning experiments, and collect and analyse data using the right-level-rigour for the stage of the project. Oversee implementation of learning experiments (such as lean testing, rapid experimentation). Support teams to integrate evidence and learning into project decision making.
- Coach teams in user-centered approaches to research and innovation.
- Design and implement research and adaptive learning projects. Identifying appropriate levels of rigour, and appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Collect, clean and analyse data and prepare findings for reports, presentations and other outputs. Deliver findings and recommendations which support data driven decision making.
- Deliver high quality presentations internally and externally to implementing teams, partners, and funders
- Write research briefs, presentations, and papers that effectively communicate results and program/policy recommendations for a variety of stakeholders (such as funders, implementing partners, external audiences)
- Support outreach activities, including drafting blog posts and coordinating social media campaigns
- Foster current and future collaborative relationships with the implementation team, government counterparts, donors, and other technical partners
- Monitor and facilitate the execution of deliverables with team leadership
- Engage with stakeholders at the project development, planning, and service delivery levels
- Oversee and manage project budgets, contracts, and work plans
- Work with other senior team members on business development (conducting desk research, drafting portions of proposals, identifying business development opportunities)
- Actively engaged in cross-cutting functions within the team as-required
Adaptive learning coaching for innovation projects
Collect data and deliver quality analysis
Translating findings into results
Program Management and cross-cutting functions
Qualifications
- Minimum BA + 5 years or MA + 3 year of relevant professional experience
- Strong academic record in international development, public administration, public policy, public health, or related discipline
- Experience coaching, managing or being involved in directly implementing technology projects.
- Strong understanding of how data, evidence and learning can be used to support design decisions in the implementation of technology projects.
- Understanding and experience of working on projects which have adopted agile project management methodologies.
- Understanding and experience working on projects which have adopted a user or human-centered design approach.
- Enthusiastic about joining a diverse and inclusive work environment
- Flexibility and willingness to work on projects across any of R4D’s disciplines (health, education and nutrition)
- Strong commitment to excellence and attention to detail
- Knowledge of and experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Strong writer and oral communicator in English with a proven track record of preparing presentations and reports, as well as an ability to describe technical problems and solutions to a non-technical audience
- Experience working within a multi-disciplinary team including researchers, analysts, and technologists.
- Ability to set priorities and handle multiple, competing time and resource demands
- Awareness of emerging trends in digital and technology and potential for impact for social good (For example: AI, blockchain, distributed manufacturing, UAVs, electric mobility, remote sensors, internet of things) a plus (noting we do not expect applicants to have deep experience or knowledge across multiple areas of technology)
- Prior experience with international government and foundation donors, such as USAID, FCDO, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a plus
- Fluency in a language other than English a plus
- Willingness to travel internationally up to 20%.