Join the Movement: Homebased Research Assistant Opportunity with Plan International

Unlocking Opportunities: Research Manager Role with Plan International

Introduction

In a world where children’s rights and equality for girls are at the forefront of global agendas, organizations like Plan International play a crucial role in driving positive change. Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and gender equality. With a legacy spanning over 85 years and operations in more than 80 countries, Plan International has been a beacon of hope for millions of children and young people worldwide.

In line with its commitment to evidence-based practices and continuous improvement, Plan International is seeking a passionate and experienced Research Manager to join its team. This role presents a unique opportunity to lead, deliver, and support high-quality research initiatives that contribute to the organization’s mission of creating a just world for all children.

Join the Movement: Homebased Research Assistant Opportunity with Plan International

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The Importance of Research in Development

Research plays a pivotal role in the development sector by providing valuable insights, evidence, and data-driven solutions to address complex social, economic, and environmental challenges. Within the context of organizations like Plan International, research serves as a cornerstone for designing effective programs, measuring impact, advocating for policy change, and ensuring accountability to stakeholders.

As the Research Manager, you will be at the forefront of driving impactful research initiatives that inform programmatic decisions, influence policy advocacy efforts, and contribute to fundraising activities. By leveraging rigorous research methodologies and innovative approaches, you will help shape the organization’s strategies and interventions to maximize positive outcomes for children and communities.

Join the Movement: Homebased Research Assistant Opportunity with Plan International

The Role of a Research Manager

The Research Manager position at Plan International is multifaceted and dynamic, requiring a blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and collaborative leadership. Your primary responsibilities will encompass the following key areas:

1. Research Leadership: As a Research Manager, you will provide strategic leadership in shaping the organization’s research agenda, priorities, and methodologies. This involves identifying key research questions, designing robust studies, and ensuring the ethical conduct of research activities.
2. Project Management: You will oversee and manage a portfolio of research projects, from inception to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards. This includes coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, hiring consultants, and managing partnerships.
3. Data Collection and Analysis: A crucial aspect of the role involves overseeing data collection efforts, whether through surveys, interviews, focus groups, or secondary sources. You will also be responsible for analyzing research findings, synthesizing data, and deriving actionable insights to inform decision-making.
4. Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination: As a Research Manager, you will play a key role in disseminating research findings and insights to internal and external audiences. This may involve writing reports, producing publications, presenting findings at conferences, and engaging with policymakers, donors, and other stakeholders.
5. Capacity Building: Another important aspect of the role is building the research capacity of internal staff, partners, and stakeholders. This includes providing training, mentorship, and technical support to enhance research skills and competencies across the organization.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation: While focused on research, the role also involves collaborating with Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) specialists to ensure alignment between research and evaluation efforts. This includes integrating research findings into M&E frameworks and systems to track progress and measure impact.

Qualifications and Skills

To excel in the role of Research Manager at Plan International, you will need a diverse set of qualifications, skills, and competencies. These include:

1. Educational Background: A Master’s degree or equivalent in research methods, development studies, social sciences, or a related field is preferred. This provides a strong foundation in research principles, methodologies, and ethics.
2. Research Expertise: Demonstrable experience in conducting mixed methods or qualitative research is essential. This includes designing research studies, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting findings to generate actionable insights.
3. Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in data analysis software such as STATA, Nvivo, or Dedoose is highly desirable. Additionally, familiarity with reporting tools and visualization techniques can enhance the effectiveness of research outputs.
4. Subject Matter Knowledge: A strong grasp of international development issues, particularly those related to children’s rights, gender equality, education, health, and protection, is crucial. This contextual understanding informs the relevance and impact of research initiatives.
5. Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential for effectively conveying research findings, insights, and recommendations to diverse audiences. This includes the ability to write clear, concise, and compelling reports, articles, and presentations.
6. Interpersonal Skills: Given the collaborative nature of the role, strong interpersonal skills are essential for building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This includes the ability to work effectively in multicultural environments and across different time zones.
7. Ethical Considerations: Demonstrable experience in research ethics and data collection with children and vulnerable populations is critical. This includes ensuring informed consent, privacy protection, confidentiality, and minimizing potential harm or risks.
8. Commitment to Rights-Based Approaches: An understanding and commitment to the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) are fundamental. This ensures that research efforts are aligned with human rights principles and contribute to positive social change.

Location and Employment Arrangements

The Research Manager role with Plan International offers flexibility in terms of location and employment arrangements. While the ideal location for this role is the UK, Plan International welcomes applications from candidates based globally, provided they have the pre-existing right to work and live in the respective location. Hybrid or remote working options are available, allowing for greater flexibility and work-life balance.

The role is offered as an 8-12 month fixed-term contract, covering maternity leave, and reports to the Head of Research within the organization. The salary and applicable benefits will be determined based on the location of the successful candidate, with an indication of £42,000 for a UK-based role.

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, the Research Manager role with Plan International presents a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of children and communities worldwide. By leading research initiatives that drive evidence-based decision-making, inform policy advocacy efforts, and contribute to positive social change, you will play a vital role in advancing children’s rights and gender equality.

If you are passionate about research, committed to making a difference, and eager to join a dynamic global team dedicated to creating a just world for all children, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity with Plan International. Together, we can unlock opportunities and build a brighter future for generations to come.

Keywords: Plan International, Research Manager, children’s rights, gender equality, global strategy, research initiatives, evidence-based practices, international development, remote working, hybrid working, UK, flexibility, advocacy efforts.

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