Country Research Manager
The position will be line managed by the Senior Research Manager, Africa (based in the UK) and will work closely with research and management teams in countries they cover.
The position will work closely with other Research Managers and Senior Research Manager as part of the R&L team. Crucially, the role will work in close collaboration with country research teams (particularly in East Africa) and the programme teams in the East Africa region.
Location: The role will be based in one of BBC Media Action’s offices in East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia) or London, UK. Applications are welcome from anyone with the existing right to work in any of these countries. The successful applicant will be employed and based in their home country, with salary set according to BBC Media Action’s pay scales in that country.
It will involve multiple international trips focused on capacity development for individual teams that may last 1- 2 months in each country.
Additional job specific responsibilities and accountabilities
- The post provides technical support advice on an exciting portfolio of work in the East Africa Region. The post will work closely with the global research team in London.
- The post will strengthen the technical capacity of our country teams based in East Africa by:
- Providing technical support to country research teams deliver research effectively in a minimum of 2- 3 countries;
- Working on and delivering a capacity strengthening plan in the region in collaboration with the Senior Research Manager in London, Country Directors and research teams in each country:
- Offering advice and training (where appropriate) to teams on specific areas, through country visits, online workshops, research reviews, concise written feedback and regular conversations;
- Ensure quality of research, including working with the team to set up processes of data management, data analysis and field research management where necessary.
- Work with countries to set up local partnerships/train freelancers to ensure research capacity on the ground.
- Work closely with the wider teams in country to ensure that research is used to shape projects, the theories of change, comms frameworks and that teams are engaging with research and
- Helping to build the evidence base of the sector and region – this could include working with academics on specific pieces of work.
Additional essential knowledge, skills, training and experience
- The post will advise on best practice in quantitative and qualitative research methods, analysis and reporting; contribute to quality assurance processes; support relevant research partnerships; and input into business development.
- The postholder is expected to engage in, and stay abreast of, key methodological trends in the sector such remote data collection techniques, including designing mobile surveys, analysing social media metrics and other ‘big data’ and using online survey tools such as Qualtrics, as well as the use of experimental and quasi-experimental research and analysis of big data in the field of media and communication in development.
- Experience in, and enthusiasm for, capacity strengthening in research methods including complex quantitative and qualitative methods is essential for the role
- The ability to build effective working relationships and communicate technical issues to non-technical audiences.
- In depth knowledge of at least one country in East Africa, preferably with experience of working in the region