The Senior Specialist will extend the Department of Education and Child Protection’s (DECP) ability to provide technical support to country offices in the generation and use of evidence in emergency contexts, with the aim of expanding access to quality learning opportunities and reflecting on cross-context evidence to inform advocacy.
Responsibilities include but are not exclusive to: (1) providing technical assistance to evaluate Education in Emergencies (EiE) programs, (2) contributing to Save the Children’s (SC) strategy development for education and child protection programs, (3) strengthening research, monitoring, and evaluation capacity across SC’s emergency responses, and (4) providing input to the strategic and operational plan of the research team.
The Senior Specialist will support the development of new measurement tools and strategies in emergencies and contribute to an organizational strategy for addressing the gap in knowledge about efficacy and effectiveness of EiE programs. In leading the research/evaluation component of EiE programs, s/he will use quantitative and qualitative research methods to produce findings and recommendations for evidence-based program design and improvement while ensuring timely feedback into cycles of programming. S/he will prepare and disseminate research results within SC and externally through reports, conferences, and other technical fora. S/he will strengthen country teams’ capacity to successfully measure and report on program quality and learning outcomes as a mentor and/or lead trainer under capacity strengthening initiatives.
Technical Leadership and Quality Programming (70%)
- Design and implement evaluations for DECP current and future programs, including in-country technical assistance for research design and data collection as well as analysis and results communication
- Lead tool development, data analysis, and data use to inform literacy, numeracy, social and emotional learning, and early childhood development in EiE programs
- Strengthen EiE Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) staff capacity to measure learning and development and link the findings to revisions of SC’s EiE interventions
- Lead the monitoring and evaluation components of proposal development for the US government and private foundations/donors
- Develop and implement training modules in qualitative and quantitative research foundations for country office and regional staff
Program Learning and Innovation (25%)
- Ensure technical quality of learning outcomes measurement in EiE sites, including analysis and utilization of findings to realize impact for the program, advocacy, and fundraising.
- Work with colleagues across business teams and departments to synthesize research findings, identify research gaps, and develop a conceptual framework to inform proposal development, program design, and research agenda for EiE programming
- Work with colleagues to consistently link programmatic supports, technical messages, and resource development for EiE programming
- Work with the research team to conduct cross-country studies to inform DECP’s program advances and advocacy messages
- Work with the research team, Basic Education, and Early Childhood Care and Development colleagues to develop, pilot, and launch new measurement tools, specifically related to child wellbeing in emergencies
Public and Private Resources (5%)
- Fundraise and support SC efforts to expand EiE programming based on evidence
- Minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience in applied research, preferably in a development and/or emergency setting, ideally utilizing rigorous quantitative and qualitative approaches
- Proven technical knowledge in evaluation designs including experimental, quasi-experimental, and mixed-methods
- Independent judgment and discretion on setting evaluation plans for programs
- Ability to provide input on research team’s strategy
- Expertise in leading the research design for EiE programs addressing acute and chronic crises
- Expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Experience in the development and testing of measurement tools and their psychometric properties
- Ability to travel up to 30% primarily internationally, often to emergency settings
- Ability to take initiative and work independently and as part of a team
- Computer skills: advanced proficiency in STATA, Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree
- At least 2 years overseas project experience in an emergency context
- Proficiency in French, Spanish, or Arabic
- Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world
- A family-friendly work environment
- Highly collaborative and innovative teams
- Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time
- Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance
- Retirement savings account with matching company contributions
- Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior level managers
- Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities as well as language learning opportunities.