Project Research Officer CREID (39-2019)
| Hours per week: Full Time, 35 hours per week |
| Contract Type: Fixed Term (36 months) |
| Grade: Grade 6 |
| Salary: £26464 to £34895 per annum |
| Closing Date: 23.59 hours GMT on Sunday 23 February 2020 |
Who We Are
The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a global research and learning organisation for equitable and sustainable change.
Our Vision
Our vision is of equal and sustainable societies, locally and globally, where everyone can live secure, fulfilling lives free from poverty and injustice.
What We Do
The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a global research and learning organisation for equitable and sustainable change.
In partnership with the University of Sussex, IDS is ranked first in the world for development studies by the QS University Rankings.
We believe passionately that cutting-edge research, knowledge and mutual learning are crucial in shaping the transformations needed to reduce inequalities, accelerate sustainability and build more inclusive and secure societies. In line with our engaged excellence approach, we are committed to collaborating closely with local civil society, governments, international NGOs, citizens, donors and many others to realise this positive change.
IDS has been working with partners to tackle complex development challenges in this way since 1966. Our partnership with the University of Sussex supports and accredits our master’s degrees and PhD research programmes. We also offer a range of thematically and approach-focused professional development courses, learning journeys and online and blended learning. Through our learning offer we aim to strengthen the skills and capabilities of those already working within the development sector, as well as nurture a new generation of development thought, policy and practice leaders.
IDS publishes a wide range of high quality and high impact outputs, including our flagship publication, the IDS Bulletin, an open access, peer-reviewed journal exploring emerging international development challenges.
The Institute is home to over 200 staff and 200 students at any one time. But the IDS community extends far beyond, encompassing an extensive global network of over 360 partners, 3,000 alumni and hundreds of former staff.
For more information go to: www.ids.ac.uk
Job Description
Reports to Mariz Tadros, Director of the Coalition for Religious Equality and Inclusive Development
Overall purpose of the role:
To support IDS research projects through undertaking desk and field based research, undertaking data collection and analysis as directed, contributing to publications and other communication methods, and working effectively with project and cluster colleagues, including partners.
This position will be funded through the CREID programme. The Coalition for Religious Equality and Inclusive Development (CREID) provides research evidence and delivers practical programmes which aim to redress the impact of discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, tackle poverty and exclusion, and promote people’s wellbeing and empowerment.
Currently, discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief can mean that people lack access to basic services such as health or education, experience verbal, emotional or physical violence and abuse, and be excluded from vital social and political processes. CREID believes that freedom of religion or belief is essential for people living in poverty to achieve their potential, live in dignity, free from stigma and exclusion.
Our work will produce new research evidence and develop innovative practical programmes, and is focused in Egypt, Iraq, Myanmar/Burma, Nigeria and Pakistan.
The work will be under the direction and line management of Professor Mariz Tadros, the Programme Director of CREID. The line manager is responsible for income generation, induction, appraisal, support and ongoing management to support excellent performance, though these activities can be designated to other senior colleagues by agreement.
The Research Officer will also be a member of the Power and Popular Politics Cluster whose leader and members can be expected to provide broader intellectual support, but who are not responsible for fundraising or career progression. All Research Officers are additionally welcome to take advantage of the Institute’s mentoring scheme.
Activities will include:
Research
Undertake a range of desk-based research, including carrying out literature reviews and other background research activities, in a timely fashion to the agreed standard.
Undertake field-based research in collaboration with research partners as appropriate.
Contribute to other research activities and project publications as appropriate.
Maintain knowledge and keep abreast of relevant debates and trends noting emerging key issues related to the subject area of the cluster/project
Liaison & Networking
Participate in and develop external networks, for example to identify sources of funding, build relationships for current and future activities, and enhance research impact.
Develop links with external contacts to foster collaboration and partnerships.
Promote the work of the Institute both nationally and internationally.
Work with the cluster/project team to plan and organise a range of events in conjunction with overseas partners and others, including report launches, debates, and high-level policy meetings.
Communications
Contribute to the production of academic publications, research reports and IDS Bulletins.
Coordinate publication processes, including books with external publishers, other printed material with external designers and printers, and internal IDS publications.
Contribute to IDS blogs, and social media, produce opinion pieces, and participate in media interviews.
Collegiality
Participate in cluster, project and Institute activities as required.
Liaise with colleagues and students
Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration
Act as a responsible group member and develop productive working relationships with others
Project Management
Support management for in-country research activities and partners
Funding
Contribute to the process of securing funding as requested by project manager and/or cluster leader
Person Specification
Skills and experience
| Selection Criteria Description | Essential [E] or Desirable [D] |
Assessed by * |
|
| Qualifications | |||
| • A postgraduate degree related to the subject area, or equivalent work experience. | E | A/I | |
| Knowledge | |||
| Good knowledge and understanding of current issues and debates in international development; Excellent / good knowledge of participatory methods |
E | A/I | |
| • Excellent/Good knowledge and understanding of current issues and debates with regards to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) • |
D | A/I | |
| Skills | |||
| • Excellent analytical and synthesis skills • Excellent English writing and editing skills, including the ability to tailor material for different formats (web, email, etc) and communicate specialist knowledge in non-technical language. • Ability to assimilate complex research or other relevant material quickly, assess its merits, and draw out key messages and implications for policy and practice • Strong all-round communication skills for a range of audiences • Strong organisational and time management skills • Proficiency at using the internet for research • Negotiation skills and the ability to manage client expectations • Excellent interpersonal skills • Excellent presentation skills |
E | A/I | |
| Networking skills Good facilitation skills Arabic language skills Good Copy-editing skills |
D | A/I | |
| Experience | |||
| Experience undertaking research in a developing country Experience of working in an development or humanitarian research role Experience of undertaking literature reviews, evidence syntheses, semi-structured interviews, and data analysis involving multiple data sources and types Experience with qualitative and / or quantitative research methods Experience of tailoring material for different formats such as web copy, blogs and newsletters. Project Management |
E | A/I | |
| Budget tracking Experience in preparing web copy, including articles, blogs and newsletters Experience of working in fragile contexts |
D | A/I | |
| Attributes | |||
| • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet frequent strict deadlines • Ability to prioritise, manage and deliver a range of conflicting immediate and longer term priorities • Flexibility • Ability to plan and work on your own initiative, taking responsibility for areas of work in a proactive and independent manner • Attention to detail and pride in presentation and communication • Demonstrable ability to thrive on team-working • Ability to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary and mixed skill teams and with researchers from a variety of backgrounds and in a variety of contexts • Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds |
E | A/I | |
| Other | |||
| • Willingness to undertake travel within the UK and internationally | E | A/I | |
Information to Candidates
Benefits At IDS we offer a number of additional benefits to staff. These include:
- a competitive salary, including cost of living awards and incremental increases on an annual basis as per policy and the option to join our pension scheme.
- interest free travel loans, following successful completion of a probationary period
- support in attainment of a relevant professional qualification in line with the Professional Development Policy
- childcare fund
- competitive maternity and paternity policies that offer compensation above the statutory minimum
- 24 days annual leave per year (pro-rata for part-time), plus public holidays and up to 6 non-negotiable closure days
- enhanced sickness pay entitlements
- support with relocation costs for staff joining us from outside the EU
- eligibility to use the University of Sussex gym and sporting facilities at staff rates
Location
The successful candidate will be based at the Institute of Development Studies on the University of Sussex campus. The University of Sussex is located 10 minutes away from the lively and cosmopolitan seaside city of Brighton on the UK South Coast, 60 minutes away from central London, 30 minutes away from London Gatwick Airport and is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Sussex South Downs. Situated between the sea and the South Downs, Brighton is one of the most vibrant and unique cities on the South Coast, for more information please go to http://www.visitbrighton.com/
How to apply
Please apply using the online application form.