Title: Research Scientist – Coordinator (CRES-RS-01-24)
Department: Technical
Supervisor: Senior Research Scientist
Category: Contract
Contract Type: Fulltime
Duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funds.
Workstation: Kampala
Available vacancies: One

Background
Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis (CRES) is a Non-Governmental Research Organization whose core work involves supporting policy and decision-makers at national and district levels in all sectors to strengthen access to accurate and timely evidence for policies and decisions.
The Center’s operational areas include a) an evidence syntheses unit, b) a policy analysis and engagement unit, c) a capacity building unit, and d) a research, evaluation, and innovation unit. The Center has a multidisciplinary team that ensures that the Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis responds appropriately and optimally to decision-makers.

About the Position
The Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis seeks a self-motivated individual to join the team as a Research Scientist. Specifically, the candidate will coordinate the implementation of the Regional Hub. The regional Hub was established to coordinate multi-institutional, multi-country Knowledge translation activities and includes institutions from Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania and Ethiopia. The Research Scientist will identify the hub needs, oversee the development of study designs, analyses, preparing and presenting reports and presentations of findings. The specific roles on the hub include;

Roles and responsibilities
• Lead the design, development, and implementation of needs assessment on the collaboration in the Hub.
• Support the processes for recruitment of the different Technical capacities.
• Facilitate discussions and decisions on scope and methods for needs assessment
• Create and manage detailed project plans for execution and delivery; Manage day-to-day project activities and update plans on an ongoing basis in response to changing conditions.
• Managing ongoing communication and ensuring timely progress and strategic alignment, and effectively representing the interests of the Hub.
• Manage communication with the teams on timelines, progress, anticipated challenges and solutions during implementation.
• Direct support as needed in mixed methods data collection and analysis, literature and desk reviews, survey design, interviewing, organising and maintaining datasets.
• Monitor results and findings from data collection and analysis, providing frequent data quality checks, data validations and alignment.
• Support team in analysis of data to identify trends, patterns, and relationships, and present findings in a clear and concise manner.
Lead the report writing (interim and final reports), ensuring presentation and delivery are within the funder’s requirements.
• Lead the capacity building initiatives and support to the Implementation teams.
• Provide Monitoring and Evaluation support to the Hub activities.
• Lead the process of capacity building for the teams.
• Support the reporting processes, analysis and syntheses for the Sustainable Development goals.

In additional to coordinating the hub activities, the Research scientist will;
1. Work on a rapid response mechanism responding to national and sub-national policymaker needs for evidence
2. Coordinate stakeholder engagement activities, including but not limited to policy dialogues and citizen panels
3. Coordinate capacity-building activities, both internally within the team and externally, as part of the Organisation’s activities
4. Carrying out research according to the organization’s research agenda and research requested for or commissioned by a governmental department or similar clients.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience
• Must hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Good knowledge in research, research methods, and analysis
• Experience working in research settings or research projects is an added advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to compile and synthesize data and findings into polished comprehensive final reports.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including flexibility.
• Comfortable with high-profile liaisons.

To apply for this position, applicants should submit the following;
1. Cover letter
2. Academic Documents
3. A page with email address and phone contact of three (3) referees
4. A Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Submit these as one document to [email protected]  no later than Friday 02 February 2024, at 5:00 pm. Indicate the position applied for in the subject line.