Impact & Research Manager Job. TradeMark East Africa

Job summary

The job holder will lead and/or coordinate activities related to TMEA’s research agenda, including managing the IMPACT model, overseeing and supporting project teams on data collection and research activities, managing and working with consultants and research partners, overseeing policy and scientific convenings, data and research coordination, and dissemination. In coordination with Results, Communications and Sustainable and Inclusive Trade teams, as well as with TMEA Programme teams, s/he will perform advanced and high-quality data analysis to produce policy briefs while establishing effective administrative, research management, and dissemination systems to meet TMEA research agenda. This is a challenging opportunity for candidates who are passionate about international trade and development as well as rigorous applied research and impact evaluations and have interests in policy and research related to the international trade, trade facilitation, and the economics of poverty. The incumbent should have a strong desire to expand and deepen his or her skills in research management, strategic planning, advanced data analysis, research output writing; and be energized to help build an exciting new research agenda while contributing to the long-term success of TMEA.

Responsibilities

Modelling

• With direct supervision of the IMPACT and Research Director, manage and run the IMPACT Model to produce various reports that assess the anticipated impacts from TMEA’s strategy 2 programme portfolio;
• Liaise with the Manager, Organisational Performance to manage and update the cost benefit analysis (CBA) tool in the IMPACT model for new and existing projects and review CBA projections based on updated assumptions, performance information and amended targets;
• Working closely with regional and country teams as well as TMEA’s research partners, obtain and update IMPACT model and data requirements ensuring accuracy and reliability of results reported by TMEA;
• With the guidance from the IMPACT and Research Director, arrange and oversee the peer review of the IMPACT model.

Applied Research

• Support and manage data collection efforts across TMEA and conduct analysis and produce analytical policy and research outputs;
• Oversee the harmonization of research projects in the various TMEA’s portfolios, including the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on the costs and outcomes of research studies;
• Develop subject matter expertise in international trade and trade facilitation research and in its implications on poverty in developing countries, and stay up-to-date on relevant research and policy developments;
• Assist in the setup of TMEA research projects within TMEA corporate and project portfolios as needed;
• Conduct landscape assessments and other background research to guide the development of TMEA initiatives and communities of practice.

Learning and Sharing

• Maintain the organisational system for data management and impact assessment and use quantitative/qualitative tools, e.g. IMPACT model and results framework to inform strategy;
• Working closely with the communications team, create and manage research dissemination efforts across TMEA, for example by synthesizing and translating key research findings for stakeholders through the TMEA website, articles, white papers, blogs, and other channels;
• Create and manage shared information resources for TMEA’s research agenda, including data repositories and literature reviews;
• Coordinate the design and implementation of TMEA-related policy and research conferences, workshops, and technical meetings;
• Work closely with the Manager, Knowledge Management, to arrange and liaise with other TMEA colleagues to implement a regular programme for formal and informal research and knowledge sharing within and outside of TMEA including topical seminars and talks on research findings among others.

Management

• Support the IMPACT and Research Director in managing the IMPACT and Research budget.
• Manage framework contracts for research consultants, including developing terms of references, managing consultants and reviewing deliverables;
• Manage the production and dissemination of research and knowledge materials including flagship publications, policy and research studies, economic research papers and policy briefs;
• Assist in facilitating the cultivation of new and existing research partners; help in conducting outreach to policy-makers, implementing organizations, and other stakeholders; and
• Work closely with colleagues to establish and entrench a research culture within TMEA and enhance the ability of staff to increase their uptake of evidence-based research for decision making and for developing and implementing their core project activities.

Corporate Level Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with PCM guidelines throughout the project design and implementation cycle, including reporting and closure;
• Ensure compliance with grant management procedures and guidelines including appraisal, selection, implementation, reporting and closure;
• Apply the highest standards of controls and risk management practices and behaviours and embed a positive risk and control culture;
• Demonstrate prudence, sound judgement and appropriate and timely escalations in management of all types of risk (including fraud risk) applicable to my role;
• Understand and comply with the relevant end-to-end processes including applicable risks and controls;
• Seek to identify, understand and escalate risk events/incidents/ issues on a timely basis focusing on fixing root-causes and taking ownership of identified mitigating actions;
• Complete all relevant mandatory trainings within the stipulated timelines;
• Participate in regular informal and formal reflection, knowledge sharing and learning events;
• Document lessons learned and best practices for knowledge sharing and learning; and
• Promote and adhere to TMEA’s core values and ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Maintain zero tolerance to bribery, fraud and corruption, and ensure the immediate reporting of any corruption or suspect behaviour that threatens TMEA’s reputation.
• Adhere to the safeguarding policies and procedures and immediately report any safeguarding concerns.
• Any other related responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager from time to time.

Qualifications

Academic and professional qualifications

Required qualifications

• An undergraduate degree or post-graduate degree in a quantitative discipline, including Economics, Public Policy, International development, Political Science, with a bias in International Trade, Trade Policy and Economic Development;
• Solid understanding of international development, theoretical and empirical economics of international trade, trade policy and facilitation and impact evaluation methodologies
• Strong applied micro-econometrics and data analysis skills.

Work experience

• For postgraduate degree holders, five years relevant experience and for undergraduate degree holders, seven years relevant experience in an academic, non-profit, or social enterprise setting;
• At least 3 years’ experience as data analyst in social science disciplines;
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse teams and effectively communicate complex information;
• Demonstratable advanced competency with MS Office (including solid understanding of Excel) and proficiency in GIS applications (e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS with some basic python coding skills), STATA, and R statistical software;
• Proficiency and experience in using computer assisted personal interviews (CAPI) especially CSPro, Survey Solutions software and Open Data Kit (ODK);
• Familiar with and understands Big Data Analytics and the use of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence tools for data analysis;
• Experience in writing analytical research papers, policy briefs and blogs, and experience in interacting with donors; and
• Experience coordinating empirical research projects in a developing country, such as overseeing field data collection and analysis.

Additional skills

• Commitment to driving scientific, evidence-based policy insights;
• Exceptional communicator, both verbally and in writing;
• Well-organized, with strong administrative skills and outstanding attention to detail;
• Self-directed, intrinsically motivated; proven capacity to manage work independently, multitask and be responsive to time-sensitive deadlines;
• Strong skills in short-term and long-range planning, analysis, problem-anticipation and – solving; ability to independently investigate solutions to challenges and anticipate leadership needs;
• Strong and effective interpersonal skills in working with colleagues at all levels. Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality;
• Cultural and gender sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work diplomatically with people from different backgrounds;
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to change;
• Ability to prioritise and organise workloads while maintaining the required standards;
• Sense of humour with a positive attitude and initiative in approaching challenges and uncertainty; and
• Good understanding of the East Africa trade and policy environment and context.

Additional/background information

TMEA is working with partners to implement a wide range of projects ranging from infrastructure (e.g. the construction of one stop border posts), public sector reform (e.g. development/upgrading and implementation of legislation, policy, systems, procedures as well as improved relationships, coordination and collaboration) in EAC Partner States and at the EAC; development of information technology solutions such as information portals and the online submission of import/export data and documents; civil society advocacy and collaboration.

At times, TMEA is implementing projects directly whereas at other times it is supporting partners to implement projects. The research and impact team may undertake different functions depending on the situation, at times playing a more hands-on role in generating rigorous evidence to support TMEA’s internal decision making while at other times produce high-quality policyrelevant research outputs that can be used to inform policies in Eastern Africa. The research and impact team, however, is also responsible for increasing TMEA visibility to the outside world.

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