Global Technical Lead, Health and Disability Research at Sightsavers

Contract: Two Year Fixed Term Contract

Job Description

• High quality evidence and research are critical for Sightsavers operations. We hold Independent Research Organisation (IRO) status granted by UK Research and Innovation (UK RI). Our in-house Research team includes over 20 staff with expertise in epidemiology, economics, social science, GIS methods and systematic reviews.
• We are seeking a Global Technical Lead, a research lead to provide strategic and technical guidance to a broad range of studies related to health, education and social inclusion.

About the Role

• We are one of the major global players in the delivery of programmes targeting elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) working primarily on five preventive chemotherapy NTDs; trachoma, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH).
• The Global Technical Lead will possess good knowledge of disability metrics, cross-sectional surveys and participatory research methodologies Our current portfolio of inclusion research includes both quantitative and qualitative studies; and good technical knowledge of both research paradigms is critical for this role.

Principal Accountabilities
Principal accountabilities will include:

• Provide scientific leadership and technical inputs to specific studies related to health and disability inclusion
• Working closely with Programme Technical Leads, the Monitoring and Evaluations team, and Country offices to identify programmatic challenges that could be addressed through operational research
• Working with fundraising teams and Programme teams to raise new income for research and innovations
• Working with the research uptake and learning (RUL) advisers and Sightsavers communications team to contribute to the delivery of the RUL and Research communication strategies
• Raising Sightsavers’ visibility and research profile through effective academic and non-academic partnerships
• Overseeing the work and line manage relevant research staff and consultants
• Providing contribution to cross-departmental and cross-organisational initiatives

 About You - Requirements
To succeed in this role, you will need:

• A Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Education or related discipline.
• A Postgraduate Degree in Epidemiology, Psychology, International Development or equivalent (Essential)
• A PhD or professional Doctorate (Desirable)
• Excellent knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including cross -sectional surveys, randomised controlled trials, qualitative studies and mixed methods designs (Essential);
• Good knowledge of disability metrics and equity measurements (Essential);
• Considerable experience in leading and conducting research in low-income countries (Essential)
• Experience of submitting successful research grant applications to funding bodies (UK research Councils, FCDO, USAID, Philanthropy Foundations) (Essential);
• Experience of working within, or alongside, not-for-profit development organisations (Essential);
• Good knowledge of health and disability research organisations and networks (Essential);
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications and scientific conference presentations (Essential).
• Line management and team management experience (Essential).

Salary
Local Terms and Conditions apply.