Research and Knowledge Coordinator Careers – Opportunity International US
Job Title: Research and Knowledge Coordinator
Organisation: Opportunity International US
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
About US:
Opportunity International US is committed to furthering the economic development of those who are poor and extremely poor through programs that empower them to pursue lives of dignity and purpose for themselves, their households, and their communities. Opportunity’s Knowledge Management furthers this goal by producing knowledge from our various projects around the world in a manner that fulfills our promises to our donors, helps optimize program/project development and strategy, leads and guides innovations, and contributes to knowledge within the broader microfinance and development communities.
Job Summary: The Research and Knowledge Manager plays an important role in fulfilling this by supporting the Director of Knowledge Management by producing appropriate, high quality outputs that would help with fundraising and industry positioning as well as aid the development community as a whole; by managing or conducting research, evaluation, knowledge generation and dissemination activities related to various projects; and by managing various projects that are relevant to learning and innovation. Studies can range from simple observational studies to complex, multi-country RCTs covering a wide range of topics related to the poverty alleviation work of the organization. This person will also work closely with the Program Management, Operations, and other Teams to ensure the successful fulfillment of research projects. Responsibilities will also include supporting others inside the team or the broader network with presentations, reporting, proposal-writing, and so on. The role requires discernment in the handling of information, relationships, and projects.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop high quality outputs in a consistent, timely fashion.
- Establish appropriate outputs. Strategize with the broader Program Management, International Business Development (IBD), Philanthropy Teams and OI-US/Network stakeholders as needed to target appropriate audiences and establish output forms.
- Develop papers and other knowledge outputs. Produce persuasive, high quality, evidence-based research outputs by deadlines that accurately and clearly communicate learnings for desired audiences.
- Create series of related, branded outputs. When relevant, establish “types” of publications that follow a standard format and create these as a branded series for enhanced dissemination.
- Interface with American high asset and corporate donors and clients. Present research findings to American donors (both individuals and corporate) and American corporate clients for whom we provide consulting services.
- Facilitate dissemination and knowledge exchange
- Shape KM outreach and dissemination strategy. Lead outputs planning and tracking on an annual basis, consider new/ideal means of communicating information to internal and external stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities for Opportunity to publicly showcase technical expertise. Pinpoint relevant presentation opportunities and ideal speakers/topics within the Opportunity network. Draft and submit proposals, liaise with stakeholders, and/or prepare presentations. Present/disseminate learnings as appropriate to internal and external knowledge communities.
- Advise on outreach and dissemination. Advise within KM and to other Opportunity teams on appropriate venues and methods for internal Opportunity outreach and external dissemination.
- Facilitate network KM. Collaborate on sharing information across the network. Coordinate with, and further, various knowledge management efforts across the Opportunity Network. Maintain KM key contact lists.
- Analyze industry and network learnings. Generally, be looking for useful knowledge either within the network or in the industry that would be useful for our operations, or the broader industry.
- Represent Opportunity and network with stakeholders in events. Present findings, engage industry actors, and glean insights at various industry meetings and events.
- Manage and conduct complex research projects
- Analyze projects. Assess what kind of research, analysis, and/or assessments are needed (e.g. impact evaluations, cost-benefit analyses, surveys, etc.).
- Design research. Based on Opportunity-US’s (OI-US) learning deliverables agenda, design best-practice research that meets stakeholder output, cost, and timeline requirements.
- Engage appropriate stakeholders. Work with internal and external researchers (domestic and international, long-distance and in person) as necessary to ensure project completion.
- Conduct research/Gather data. Implement research activities (domestic and international, long-distance and in person) in a manner that navigates the needs of various stakeholders.
- Design and implement comprehensive research programs and/or evaluation systems. Develop research plans for larger, longitudinal projects that take into account key monitoring and evaluation objectives, along with the strategic learning agenda.
- Develop new research methods. When appropriate, leverage expertise to design and adapt research methodologies that are most practical and cost-effective for our organizational and/or programmatic context.
- Contribute to Knowledge Management strategy, resource mobilization, and project design
- Support KM strategy. Participate in KM strategic planning sessions, contribute to KM strategic and annual planning processes, outputs tracking, and documents
- Support Project Development. Work with KM Director and fundraisers to identify roles for KM in upcoming proposals, and – once funded – to develop research and evaluation project parameters and output specifications that meet donor expectations and fit within budget and timeframes.
- Assist in Broader KM Activities
- Provide reporting assistance. Provide editorial support in developing technical donor reports; write final reports and ensure consistency with other papers/materials produced.
- Donor development assistance. Represent Opportunity with donors and broader microfinance and/or development communities as needed.
- Technical proposal development assistance. Research, develop and write concept papers and proposals for targeted technical donors; coordinate proposal development with appropriate Network, regional and IBD staff; analyze potential external partnerships.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant must hold a Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred in a relevant field; research or evaluation background preferred.
- 5-8 years of experience in international development and/or research especially in agriculture, education, or financial inclusion.
- Experience in effectively managing multiple priorities simultaneously and meeting deadlines; Ability to work well under the pressure of deadlines.
- Strong analytical and research skills; attention to detail and accuracy; strengths in qualitative research important; statistical research capabilities a plus.
- Core skills that are relevant to development research and a sound understanding of development themes.
- Enjoys multi-disciplinary learning and activity; adept at quickly picking up knowledge, methods, and skills across a variety of fields; a willingness to engage new fields of learning.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English with ability to understand cultural and demographic target language nuances; experience in editing/layout and eye for graphic design a plus.
- Experience working effectively across teams and handling complex multi-stakeholder relationships. Able to present and guide meetings with corporate clients in the United States.
- Strong ability to communicate and manage relationships and work cross-culturally; experience/interest in Africa, LatAm, Asia [especially India] a plus.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team to fulfill projects.
- Willingness to travel 25% of the time (domestic and international).
- Commitment to the vision and mission of Opportunity International.
- Demonstrated professional flexibility, creativity, initiative.
- Fluency in Spanish a plus.
- Interest in, and experience in, education a plus.
- Experience in fundraising a plus.
How to Apply:
All candidates should apply online at the link below.
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