The Research Manager role at Precision Development (PxD) is critical for overseeing the implementation and management of rigorous research activities for various projects. PxD is a global non-profit organization that harnesses technology, data science, and behavioral economics to build digital services that empower people to change their own lives. This position is based in Nairobi and ensures adherence to high standards of technical rigor, manages project resources (financial and human), and guides teams in evidence-based approaches.
Key Responsibilities
The role will grow as you develop, but you will start by focusing on the following key responsibilities:
- Manage the implementation of research activities for the project, ensuring adherence to appropriate rigor, policies, timelines, and budgets.
- Manage financial and human resources allocated to the project.
- Guide teams on the use of evidence-based approaches and ensure that PxD maintains the standards for technical appropriateness and rigor.
- Oversee data management and analysis for the project, including survey creation and implementation.
- Oversee documentation of research activities, research results, and rationale for decisions made.
- Interpret and contextualize external and internal evidence and insights for PxD programs.
- Manage partner relations and work with external stakeholders for successful project implementation.
- Develop and ensure compliance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols for human subject research and relevant in-country research permission requirements.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to Associate-level staff.
- Contribute and support internal and external communications to disseminate project results and research findings, including briefs, blogs, reports, and presentations.
- Contribute to PxD’s institutional knowledge management and internal learning efforts.
Required Qualifications and Experience
The ideal candidate will have:
- Education: Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in economics, agricultural economics, public policy, or a closely related field.
- Experience: Professional experience working on at least two large projects involving the design and management of rigorous research and/or evidence-based programs in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC).
- Analytical & Technical Skills:
- Ability to draw inferences from data to identify pathways for program improvement.
- Excellent knowledge of Stata or R or similar software for data analysis.
- Experience in using SurveyCTO/ODK or a similar program for survey design.
- Deep understanding of economics and randomized evaluations.
- Strong grasp of the research & program life cycle and ability to supervise all activities on the ground.
- Knowledge Synthesis: Adept at consuming large amounts of academic and scientific literature as well as other technical information, synthesizing key findings, and applying takeaways to program and research design.
- Management & Partnerships:
- Experience managing program and/or research staff.
- Experience managing partnerships with an implementing organization.
- Ethics & Compliance: Understanding and application of research ethics for human subjects in the social sciences, including IRB compliance.
- Communication: Strong writing and oral communication skills in English, with attention to detail and advanced writing and presentation skills.
- Travel: Willingness to travel to field sites in Kenya.
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