Research and Learning Consulting – Research Systems Strengthening at MasterCard

THE OPPORTUNITY 

The Foundation’s Research and Learning Department is seeking to fill a Research Systems Strengthening Consultant role. The assignment is expected to be carried out remotely over a period of 12 months, starting in March 2024. The consultant will work closely with relevant Research Leads, who will supervise the consultant’s work, progress, and deliverables. Regular assessments will be conducted to ensure that the work is progressing as planned, and any necessary adaptations will be agreed upon in a timely manner.

The purpose of this consultancy assignment is to coordinate and provide technical support to ongoing and upcoming partnerships within the Research and Learning Department. S/he will provide relevant technical expertise, coordinate, and work closely with the Research and Learning team and partners for effective implementation and completion of all research and learning-related activities.

The consultant will collaborate with the Research and Learning team as well as others across the Foundation and external partners to accomplish some of the tasks outlined below:

• Support the coordination and completion of ongoing research and learning activities.
• Support the development of concept notes and terms of references for upcoming research and learning partnerships.
• Support the review of concept notes, reports, policy briefs and other knowledge products submitted by partners for internal and external use.
• Provide technical support to the Research and Learning team and partners in reviewing the research and technical design of ongoing and upcoming research and learning-related activities.
• Review the methodology, research tools, and sampling strategies of partnerships to ensure they consistently align with set objectives.
• Provide technical support and assessment of the quality and alignment of all other products designed/submitted by partners.
• Assist in producing state-of-the-art knowledge products to engage and meet the needs of various audience groups and help to coordinate and implement online and in-person learning engagements.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE 

• Support the development of concept notes and Terms of References to guide partnership development for strengthening research systems and knowledge networks in Africa, including indigenous and other knowledges.
• Support the development and review of proposals and reports submitted for research systems strengthening partnerships, including assessment of the quality of reports/knowledge products for research systems strengthening.
• Support undertaking of systematic reviews and synthesis reports as part of the research systems strengthening activities.
• Provide support in the technical and methodological design for research systems strengthening partnerships to ensure consistency and alignment.
• Support the design of partnerships involving indigenous communities to ensure alignment with indigenist research principles.

WHO YOU ARE

• A Ph.D./Master’s/MBA in global development, the social sciences, education, public policy, and /or another related field is an asset.
• Experience working in a dynamic, fast-paced environments and ability to be flexible and responsive to changing needs.
• Experience in undertaking research/consultancy work in the fields of education, the social sciences and humanities, development and/or public policy within non-profit organizations, international NGO’s and/or learning institutions.
• Expertise in researching development, political, economic, cultural, and social issues across Africa.
• Understanding of research methodologies and approaches, especially in socio-economic transformations/growth and development policy.
• Experience in effectively engaging with technical experts and institutions to build communities of practice.
• Ability to plan for and prioritize multiple enterprise-wide initiatives with varying timelines.
• Strong research skills with the ability to translate findings to technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience in undertaking research and development work among indigenous communities.
• Young people with research experience and requisite qualifications will be given preference.
• Ability to work in multiple languages, especially English and French will be considered an asset.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.