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Job Title:     Programs
Director, Research & Knowledge Development

Organization: AfriChild
Centre (AfriChild)

Duty Station: 
Kampala, Uganda

Reports to:
Executive Director

About US:

The AfriChild Centre
(AfriChild) is a multidisciplinary research Centre that works to improve
child-focused policy and practice through scientific research, analysis and
knowledge development in collaboration with the public and private sectors,
academia and civil society.

Job Summary:  The Programs Director, Research & Knowledge
Development will provide program management direction / leadership and guidance
and ensure AfriChild’s overall strategic objectives are met. To lead the
research, innovation and knowledge development program functions of The
AfriChild Centre and guarantee quality of AfriChild’s ongoing programming.
Generate and disseminate new knowledge and evidence relevant to AfriChild’s
mission.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

Formulate a robust
research program with emphasis on the stimulation of new research designed to
address the major policy issues being confronted by stakeholders, donors in
line with AfriChild’s mission.

• Extract and summarize the key concerns of the donor community and
  agreements reached with stakeholders on issues pertaining to Children
• Track trends and events, Identify and document information relevant
  for investigating issues pertaining to Children
• Conceptually assemble relevant issues into a coherent set of
  researchable areas
• Write a research program/proposal following generally acceptable
  conventions and standards.
• Develop an annual research agenda and timetable for review and
  approval by the Executive Director.

Initiate, develop,
implement, monitor and update an editorial policy for writing report and
memoranda in line with AfriChild’s research agenda and best practices.

• Annually research and review editorial policies for major
  publishers, summarize into simple writing guidelines and disseminate to
  the Board and to researchers.
• Annually research and review discipline- specific editorial styles,
  summarize into simple writing guidelines and disseminate to researchers.
• Summarize client-specific guidelines and distribute to researchers
  and consultants.

Develop and
maintain a close and effective network of relationships and linkages with Universities,
local and, international research and development organizations in line with
the Centre’s mandate, vision and mission.

• Develop, implement and monitor a networking strategy.
• Read and extract broad areas of collaboration in research and policy
  dialogue.
• Build capacity of university faculty members in research methods.
• Explore and develop opportunities and mechanisms for collaboration
  in research and policy dialogue.
• Create and maintain a regular channel of communication with key
  networks.
• Develop and maintain inter-university research collaborations.
• Leverage capability of research and development organizations to
  further AfriChild’s agenda/mission.

Write and present
policy papers at policy dialogue fora in line with AfriChild’s research agenda.

• Develop an annual year planner of policy working groups, meetings,
  conferences and seminars along with the appropriate dates, location and
  policy theme.
• Assess the impact of the Centre’s participation in policy work in
  relation to its mission.
• Assign the relevant specialist a relevant topic for a policy
  memorandum to be presented.
• Provide the necessary logistics including availing time to the
  specialist to write and present the memorandum.
• Ensure the effective participation by the organization in policy
  dialogue at policy working group meetings, conferences, workshops and
  seminars.

Lead the Program/
Research team and Consultants, supervise, motivate, appraise and build the
capacity of staff and lecturers in line with the organizational strategy and
policies.

• Lead the development of terms of reference for consultants.
• Set performance targets and appraise the research team in line with
  the AfriChild Human Resource Manual and other organizational policies and
  procedures.
• Monitor performance and achievement of set targets for the program
  team and consultants.
• Supervise consultant’s researchers and interns in the implementation
  of AfriChild contracts in the department and quality-control their
  outputs.

Coordinate and
account for resource mobilization in the directorate in line with the
AfriChild’s fundraising strategy.

• Lead and contribute to the identification of program funding gaps,
  priorities and opportunities.
• Lead and contribute to the development of funding concepts and
  proposals.
• Consolidate and review funding concepts and proposals to be
  submitted to potential donors.
• Review project and donor reports before submission.
• Follow up funding proposals with donor agencies and partners.
• Monitor and account for the implementation of and reporting on
  projects and program implementation initiatives.

Lead the
implementation of research initiatives and provide professional leadership in
line with the discipline standards and agreed upon research priorities.

• Review current international journal literature in the discipline area
  and summarize the issues of concern to researchers.
• Review the current local debate in the discipline area and summarize
  issues of concern to researchers and other stakeholders.
• Develop research projects addressing identified theoretical and
  problem oriented concerns with clear reference to the Center’s Research
  Priorities.
• Collaboratively develop research protocols with consultants and the
  research team.
• Identify relevant programs to host research
• Constitute technical committees comprising the academia, policy
  makers and practitioners to provide oversight, quality assurance and
  promote uptake of study outcomes.
• Invite and engage researchers to participate at every stage of the
  research process.
• Develop guidelines for researchers to follow when participating in
  research.
• Assign the researchers specific tasks such as reviewing and
  summarizing international or local debates in the discipline.

Contribute to
strategic decision making through Senior Management Meetings and support to the
board on request.

• Attend and participate in AfriChild’s Senior management and, on
  request, AfriChild board / committee meetings.
• Provide feedback on Management decisions to staff under your
  supervision.
• Implement and follow up the implementation of Senior Management key
  actions within the department.
• Provide periodic program reports and issues to Management meetings.

Identify
program-related knowledge needs for AfriChild, coordinate the generation,
storage and access to knowledge in line with the AfriChild Knowledge Management
Agenda.

• Define key program information requirements of stakeholders and
  develop mechanisms for periodic provision of this information.
• Represent the organization / Unit in various program-related
  knowledge sharing and learning forums, document and share feedback with
  the team.
• Champion and track the use of program-related knowledge in AfriChild
  and amongst its stakeholders
• Work with the Communication and Advocacy Officer to disseminate
  research findings through policy briefs, publication, learning events and
  media engagement.
• Ensure research outputs are effectively documented and communicated
  to the relevant audiences.

Coordinate
planning, budgeting program development, review and evaluation processes in
line with the AfriChild strategy.

• Provide technical guidance in the development of program/ research
  plans and budgets.
• Review and ensure alignment of program priorities, strategies and
  plans to the broader AfriChild strategic plan and mandate.
• Provide and coordinate stakeholder input and participation in the
  planning processes.
• Coordinate program and project reviews and evaluation.
• Guide and coordinate the review of annual plans.
• Organize and participate in Program Team meetings

Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 

• The ideal candidate must hold an 
  Advanced degree (Ph.D) in Social Sciences, Humanities, Development
  Studies, Public Health or Economics.
• At least 10 years’ experience in undertaking research and
  leading/advising research projects and programs in developing countries.
• First-hand experience of work with a programming organization in one
  or more developing countries.
• A solid track record of publications in peer reviewed journals,
  books, book chapters and other relevant publications.
• Knowledge and experience in implementing and/or interpreting a range
  of analytical research tools and methods, both economic and social, as
  well as quantitative and qualitative data;
• Strong strategic planning, prioritisation, and execution skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple objectives, competing demands, and
  monitor progress and impact;
• Ability to communicate effectively on technical issues to diverse
  audiences in both large and small group settings;
• Innovative and analytical skills;
• Proven ability to work across multiple teams in a collaborative and
  contributory manner;
• Previous working relationships with think tanks, academic
  institutions, donors, government departments, UN agencies, NGOs, trusts
  and foundations, and media;
• Track record of team management and ability to lead projects from
  inception to completion;
• Knowledge and ability to implement principles of management,
  leadership, conflict resolution, negotiation, and motivation; and
• Ability to think strategically, delegate responsibility, listen
  carefully, build consensus and communicate and advocate effectively in a
  complex matrix organisation.
• Strategic planning and management
• Policy Analysis
• Academic and Action Research
• Donor contract management
• Staff and Lecturer capacity development
• Communication and public relations
• Resource Mobilization and Monitoring
• Networking and collaboration
• Corporate Governance
• Program reviews, Monitoring and Evaluation

How to Apply:

​All
suitably qualified candidates should send their applications by clicking on
this link.
Please upload the following in your application; an updated CV / resume (PDF or
Word Format) which should include your contact information and three work
related references and a one page statement describing your suitability for the
role should be included.

Deadline: 16^th September 2019

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