Manager, Applied Research

Manager, Applied Research

Freedom House

Washington, D.C., United States

POSITION SUMMARY

Freedom House is seeking an experienced Manager, Applied Research to support an anticipated Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) funded project on effective approaches to inclusive human rights programming within Ukraine. This role is contingent upon receipt of award. The project will partner with a local Ukrainian organization to collect evidence across the State Department’s human rights portfolio and inform a new DRL Strategic Approach to programming for the coming years in Ukraine. The Manager will be joined by Freedom House applied research specialists who will support the project as well as a Ukraine-based evaluation team.

In addition to managing this anticipated applied research effort, the Manager will also contribute to Freedom House’s monitoring and evaluation work across our grants portfolio. This includes contributing to organizational learning efforts, providing technical guidance and assistance on monitoring and evaluation of grants, and support on the design of new projects. This position is contingent upon project award; the title, qualifications, and responsibilities may be adjusted based on DRL’s final requirements for the position.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Ukraine Applied Research and Evaluation Fund Management (70%):

Technical Direction of Project:

• Lead a team of researchers to produce a utilization-focused applied research and evaluation product.
• Contribute to the production of a literature review of academic, practitioner, and programmatic theories of change regarding inclusive human rights.
• Support development and implementation of a plan to gather existing evidence and uncover new evidence to support or refute identified theories of change in a participatory manner that includes civil society organizations representing marginalized communities in Ukraine.
• Participate in the creation of a program framework for new projects on inclusive human rights in Ukraine in consultation with stakeholders.

Grant Management:

• Manage project deliverables to achieve objectives, oversee budget expenditures to ensure that the award is spending at an appropriate rate and in alignment with project objectives.
• Assume responsibility for high-quality products, deliverables, program reports and other communications; ensure that DRL, FH, the program partners, and other key stakeholders receive accurate and timely information and reports concerning the program.
• Track indicators as part of the project’s M&E plan and produce reports to indicate progress made towards the awards goals
• Host reflections with the project team and key stakeholders to adapt the project as needed.
• Liaise with Freedom House’s Europe and Eurasia team to ensure that project implementation, including meeting financial and other USG rules and regulations and project requirements.

Advisory Committee Relations:

• Establish the advisory committee, including gathering inputs from stakeholders, including Freedom House’s Ukraine experts, on the makeup of the committee.
• Manage relationships with advisory committee members, including gathering feedback and addressing concerns.

Partner relations:

• Ensure alignment on expectations, roles, and responsibilities with Freedom House’s Ukrainian evaluation partner.
• Ensure the evaluation partner complies with appropriate data, security, and ethics standards for evaluation, as well as with USG rules and regulations and project requirements.
• Facilitate access to relevant materials and stakeholders.

Strategy, Evidence and Learning Support (30%):

• Contribute to Freedom House’s culture of evidence-based learning and adaptation.
• Support internal communities of practice for Freedom House staff to share best practices periodically on core Freedom House themes.
• Train and advise program staff in the use and implementation of M&E tools and processes.
• Support program design for new initiatives.
• Support program staff in facilitating project design sessions to develop theories of change and identify expected results and benchmarks to track during project implementation.
• Design and update M&E/MEL plans and narratives for proposals.
• Support monitoring and evaluation efforts on other grants as needed.
• Design and adapt data collection tools, processes and methodologies to meet best practices and standards, including in high-risk environments and/or with vulnerable populations.
• Operationalize M&E/MEL systems.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, research methods, international affairs, international developments, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in related field or its equivalent preferred.

Experience:

• 7 years of directly related experience in developing, implementing, and managing M&E activities of international development programs or other relevant data analysis experience.
• Experience technically directing programs and managing USG grant funds, including budget projections, donor deliverables, and timelines.
• Experience authoring evaluations of program.
• Familiar with human rights and/or democracy-related issues in Latin America, Africa, Europe and Eurasia, or Asia. Familiarity with human rights, governance, and/or democracy-related in Ukraine preferred.

Technical Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience as a technical lead on an applied research program.
• Demonstrated expertise in evaluation and the use of participatory research methods is required.
• Demonstrated skills in both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods, and with data visualization.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English. Proficiency in Ukrainian or Russian preferred.
• Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality and exhibit unquestionable integrity, honesty, and forthrightness.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to respond promptly to inquiries in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to successfully work collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, external partners, and funders.
• Must have the ability to travel internationally as required for project assignments.

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