About the Opportunity

The Head of Research serves as an integral thought leader for the organization, working with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team in shaping and executing Inkomoko’s research vision. The position is primarily responsible for overseeing and coordinating the research of the organization, supervising research staff, leading quality control efforts, developing rigorous research insights on various topics and assisting organizational leadership in the development and execution of Inkomoko research and advocacy agenda.

The Head of Research must be adept at research and analysis and possess excellent writing, editing, publishing, and oral communication skills. The Head of Research must be organized, a problem solver, self-directed, and demonstrate leadership and initiative, while at the same time being a committed team player. The position requires being development savvy, a keen understanding of major refugee focused policy issues and strong leadership and project management skills.

The Head of Research reports to the Regional Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning.

Responsibilities

Research coordination and quality control

• Design and lead research and development programmes and projects across the breadth of Inkomoko’s strategic priorities – ensuring that work is delivered to time and quality expectations, within budget, and with appropriate measures of its impact. Expected research outputs include:
• Reports – Produce comprehensive research reports that address key strategic priorities.
• Papers – Submit research papers to relevant conferences and journals.
• Briefs – Create policy and research briefs to inform stakeholders and support advocacy efforts.
• Action research – Design and implement action research initiatives that directly contribute to program improvements and strategic decision-making.
• Coordinates development and review of Inkomoko’s research agenda(s) and work plans, working in conjunction with the MERL team and programme staff.
• Develops and maintains relationships and systems to support research coordination and goals.
• Manages the research process and keeps research products on track.
• Reviews and edits all research reports and fact sheets produced by staff, as well as other research products as needed to ensure methods and findings conform to Inkomoko’s standards for qualitative and quantitative research.
• Works with Inkomoko leadership to identify new research and analysis opportunities and to further develop the Inkomoko research agenda
• Builds meaningful partnerships with MERL colleagues and other staff.

Policy research and advocacy

• Proactively provide advice, support and guidance to colleagues across Inkomoko in order to improve the quality and impact of our research, working closely with other Heads within the MERL team and with the Senior Management/Leadership Team.
• Support in developing and executing advocacy and market systems research agenda.

External relations

• Serves as a leading resource and liaison on research to local, state and national partner organizations including trusts and foundations, service providers, and other research centers and think tanks.
• Work with relevant teams to communicate and promote our work and to identify opportunities for research and evidence to influence policy and practice across Inkomoko activities

Other duties

• Keep up to date with key developments in policy, research and practice on entrepreneurship, refugee-livelihoods; and on innovations in research and evaluation methods and tools.
• Contribute to the personal and professional development of the L&W research team, including through line management of senior researchers and/ or researchers
• Performs other duties as assigned related to the mission of Inkomoko or to support coalition partners, funders, or other stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience, including managing multi-country research in East Africa
• Experience of developing and leading a high-performing team, including coordinating and managing projects and priorities, and supporting professional and personal development.
• Post-graduate Degree (in a relevant subject), equivalent qualifications or evidence of equivalent experience.
• Excellent quantitative and/or qualitative research skills.
• Experience in writing research grants with good donor/partner relation/ publications
• Skills on impact and implementation science research (addition to action research)
• Excellent data management, ethics in data and data reproducibility
• Understanding of project management and phases where research plugs in
• Excellent trainer on action research and field coordination with diverse communities
• Ability to review and critically appraise data and empirical literature
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage a range of audiences, stakeholders, funders and partners.
• Proactive and ability to work independently
• Available to travel frequently across East Africa.