Position Description
The Research and Development (R&D) Lead for the Western Kenya Sanitation Project. The R&D Lead will set and oversee strategy and direction of the research objectives of the project, oversee R&D, Strategic Activities Fund (SAF) investment, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), strategic communication and evidence generation. The R&D Lead will work with the activity market-based sanitation team to design, implement and monitor pilots that test an array of approaches for results and to shape a program that learns from its interventions and quickly focuses on efforts that are producing results, dropping those that are not and adapting and scaling interventions where appropriate. The R&D Lead will report to the COP. This position will have two direct reports: Senior MEL Specialist and Data Analyst.
Responsibilities of the R&D Lead include, but are not limited to:
Set and oversee overall strategy and direction of the research and development objectives of the project in collaboration with the COP and DCOP.
Oversee project R&D, SAF investment, performance management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), strategic communications, and evidence generation.
Lead the R&D team to design and monitor pilots , contributing to the design of high-quality and innovative research concepts, proposing ideas for SAF investment alongside the MBS team, and helping formulate challenge drives to further identify additional strong pilot ideas.
Develop indicators and trigger points for pilots to go to scale
Lead project work in collaboration, learning and adaptation (CLA), including documenting and sharing learning through regular technical and stakeholder meetings and pause-and-reflect sessions.
Participate as a part of the senior management team, providing overall leadership to technical and administrative staff.
Address issues and mitigates risks related to pilot implementation in a timely manner and appropriately adjust pilot strategies, as required.
Support the production of high-quality, relevant project performance M&E indicators.
Track and report quarterly on programmatic achievements as required for project deliverable reporting. Produces technical and/or operational reports and updates for deliverable reporting and project success stories.
Initiate, develop and maintain a range of working relationships, including with civil society, product innovators and designer, county governments, private sector firms, academic and think tank organizations, and others.
Ensure that gender, youth, and other social inclusion categories are integrated across the R&D portfolio of work.
Qualifications
At least a Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of experience or a Master’s degree and 10 years of experience.
Eight (8) years of experience implementing large and complex projects relating to research, monitoring and evaluation and design or implementation of product or service improvement.
Experience in designing CLA framework and iterations in R&D activities.
Strong skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, research and M&E.
Demonstrated experience managing technically, operationally and geographically diverse teams on internationally funded programs, USAID experience preferred.
Experience designing and monitoring pilot interventions that test market feasibility and commercial viability.
Expertise evaluating interventions for sustainability and scalability.
Excellent analytic skills with ability to synthesize data and results for presentation to a variety of stakeholders.
Experience leading or collaborating on peer-reviewed publications.
Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to travel and work in any of the three provinces and difficult terrain/conditions at times.
Proficiency in English is required.
Work experience in Kenya required.
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