VVOB – education for development is an international non-profit organisation with over 40 years’ experience in strengthening the quality of education systems in Africa, Asia and South America in close partnership with ministries of education and their institutions. We are looking for a Research and Learning Advisor who will operate from our office in Lusaka.
Key Responsibilities:
Research Design and Implementation
- The Research and Learning Advisor will lead the oversight of the partner-led randomized controlled trial (RCT), ensuring methodological rigor, data quality, and actionable insights to inform program learning and decision-making.
- In collaboration with research consultants, develop and lead research frameworks, methodologies, and protocols, ensuring alignment with the VVOB learning agenda.
- Coordinate studies that assess the impact of VVOB interventions on learners, educators, and school systems.
- Oversee data collection processes on various research projects being conducted in Zambia using qualitative and quantitative methods. Ensure high-quality data throughout all research phases.
- Ensure adherence to ethical standards in research, particularly when working with children and vulnerable groups.
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.
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.
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.
Desired Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Social Sciences, Education, Statistics, Demography, International Development, Policy). A Master’s degree is highly desirable.
- At least 4 years of demonstrable experience in a similar Research position. Experience in strengthening government systems and structures or projects in the education sector is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience coordinating research projects in the education or development sector.
- Experience with leading data management and analysis, including statistical techniques and software.
- Strong skills in developing and managing digital data collection tools and platforms (KoboCollect, SurveyCTO, ODK).
- Ability to design and implement data quality assurance checks (automated validations, skip logic, consistency checks, field monitoring).
- Experience with data analysis using statistical software (Excel, SPSS, STATA).
- Excellent communication skills in English, including writing, conversing and presenting.
- Strong interpersonal skills with cross-cultural teams.
- Proven experience in supervising research consultants/firms.
- Willingness to travel frequently and flexibly, including in very rural areas.
How to apply
Please visit https://jobs.vvob.org/en/research-and-learning-advisor to apply for the role. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This is a national position, open to Zambian Nationals.
