Research and Learning Advisor

Research and Learning Advisor

Catch Up

Lusaka, Zambia

Deadline for applications: 31^st January 2025

As Research and Learning Advisor you report to the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager and the result areas will be as follows:

• Together with the country office and head office, you identify research needs, and recruit research consultants to execute planned research.
• You collaborate with international research consultants on the coordination of research on the implementation, impact, sustainability and costs of VVOB’s projects within the country. You support their research activities to ensure a smooth process.
• You develop and review research designs, measurement tools, data collection methods, sampling strategies, and data analyses methods suggested by research consultants to ensure they meet VVOBs’ needs, are sufficiently contextualized, and are of high quality.
• You assure high quality research and data throughout the complete research cycle, by setting up mechanisms and protocols. You conduct data quality checks and perform necessary data cleaning by writing replicable statistical code. Occasionally, you analyse quantitative and qualitative data and work on subsequent reporting.
• You actively promote evidence-based learning within VVOB by systemizing and proactively sharing lessons learned and ensuring capacity development on research internally.
• You take part in internal and external research working groups, task forces, and disseminate research and M&E findings, including through paper and article writing, presenting at online panels and conferences, and other means of dissemination.

You will Lead on the following:

1. Research Design and Implementation

• In collaboration with research consultants, develop and lead research frameworks, methodologies, and protocols, ensuring alignment with the Catch Up sustain and scale priorities.
• Coordinate studies that assess the impact of VVOB interventions on learners, educators, and school systems.
• Oversee data collection processes on various research being conducted in Zambia using qualitative and quantitative methods. Assure high quality data through all research phases.
• Ensure adherence to ethical standards in research, particularly when working with children and vulnerable groups.

2. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

• Develop and integrate M&E frameworks into Catch up program, including around social and emotional learning.
• Monitor the effectiveness of interventions by measuring changes in teachers, school leaders, and learners’ holistic competencies.
• Collaborate with program teams to refine M&E tools for assessing teacher, school leader, and learner outcomes at classroom, school, and district levels.

3. Learning and Capacity Building

• Facilitate capacity-building sessions for M&E and research staff on best research practices..
• Develop templates and other materials that help support and improve the quality of M&E and research staff day-to-day work, in close collaboration with other colleagues.
• Translate research findings into actionable strategies and tools for program improvement.
• Organize learning forums, workshops, and webinars to share research results with internal and external stakeholders.

4. Data Quality Assurance, Data Cleaning, Data Analysis and Reporting

• Set up mechanisms and systems to assure high data quality in both research and M&E activities. Continuously check up on data quality, and coordinate and support other colleagues involved in data quality. Clean data that requires correction and maintain both raw and cleaned datasets.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of VVOB interventions.
• Present findings through clear, concise, and engaging reports, presentations, and infographics tailored to diverse audiences, including educators, policymakers, and donors.
• Publish research papers and policy briefs on VVOB interventions to influence education policy and practice. Present on these papers and briefs in international fora and at conferences.

5. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Establish cooperative and cordial relationships with research consultants, while remaining a critical lens on their products and activities to assure they align with VVOB needs, they are contextually relevant, and they result in high quality research.
• Engage with Ministry of Education (MoE) staff and the MoE’s research coordination committee to promote the integration of evidence-based recommendations into education policies and systems.
• Foster partnerships with academic institutions, donors, and global networks to conduct research on areas of interest to VVOB.

If you’re our Research and Learning Advisor, your workweek at the office will include the following highlights:

• Assisting the Principal Investigator of a research study in developing research protocols and assist in the application of local and international institutional review board.
• You train enumerators and supervisors in data collection instruments.
• Overseeing data collection and ensuring that it complies with standards for data quality. You set up data quality protocols together with the data collection partner and help them to roll out these protocols.
• Lunch! A perfect time to nurture relationships with VVOB colleagues and have an informal exchange on best research practices.
• You support the Principal Investigator on data cleaning, data analysis, interpreting and report writing.
• Join and contribute to learning team meetings and brainstorming on other research projects.
• You prepare and disseminate research learning outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.

Who are you?

This is a national position, open to Zambian Nationals or those who are authorized to work in Zambia.

 

Your expertise and experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant subject (e.g. social sciences, statistics, demography, international development, research, policy) or equivalent field experience.
• Experience in coordinating quantitative and qualitative research, preferably in the education sector.
• Experience with leading data management and data cleaning.
• Experience in conducting data analysis, including statistical techniques and qualitative data analysis, is a an added advantage.
• Experience with coordinating data collection and survey programming, especially KoboCollect /Survey CTO/ODK.
• Experience with relevant data analysis software, including MS Excel/SPSS/Stata/Nvivo is an added advantage.
• Excellent communication skills in English, including writing, conversing and presenting.
• Strong interpersonal skills with cross-cultural teams.
• Proven experience in recruiting and supervising research consultants/firms.
• Willingness to travel frequently and flexibly, including in very rural areas.

 

Matching competences

VVOB core competences:

• Results orientation
• Continuous improvement
• Cooperation

Function specific competencies:

• Creativity
• Development oriented
• Accuracy
• Communication skills
• Problem analysis and judgement

What we’re offering:

• A fixed-term contract up to August 2025.
• 25% gratuity at year’s end.
• In-patient and out-patient medical package for you and your legal dependents (as proven by marriage certificate and birth certificate(s)).
• Education allowance for your legal children.
• Transport allowance and housing allowance in line with the Zambian employment legislation.

Supportive environment enabling continuous professional development

What’s next?   

Your motivation letter detailing your match with the profile as well as your motivation behind applying for the vacancy and a detailed CV are expected no later than 31^st January 2025. Both motivation letters and CVs should be no longer than 3 pages each. VVOB reserves the right to not review applications that do not abide by these requirements. Please use the webform here to apply for this vacancy.

Shortlisted candidates will take a written test and go through an interview process before the final offer.

VVOB firmly believes that quality education can only be achieved if equity is ensured. Qualities of people prevail, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or disability.

Is this not exactly the job you are looking for? Please have a look at our other vacancies at: www.vvob.org/en/vacancies.