The Researcher will be responsible for leading and carrying out a US research agenda. Working in close cooperation with key research and advocacy staff in New York, Washington, and London, the researcher will be responsible for providing data and evidence that supports Lumos’ principal objectives in the US and globally.
Projects may include identifying ways in which the United Nations is supporting orphanages around the world, and likewise identifying best practices that support family care; tracing funds coming from the US government that support the orphanage system abroad; investigating funding flows from religious communities that support orphanages through missionary work; or following funding practices of IFIs that support orphanages or alternative systems of care.
This role may require some international travel.
- Lead on Lumos’ US-based research activities, ensuring consistent, high-quality outputs
- Together with key Lumos staff, identify, design, plan and conduct relevant research projects
- Undertake research activities, including desk research and collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data
- Draft and provide information in a style and format appropriate to the intended audience
- Draft and prepare to publication standard the outcomes of studies
- Provide support to Lumos advocacy teams to develop evidence-based advocacy strategies on the basis of the research findings
- Monitor the developments of research on policy in relevant areas
- Ensure deadlines and donor requirements in relation to the research are met
- Other tasks as required
Essential:
- Commitment to children’s rights and international development
- At least three years’ applied research experience, with strong knowledge and skills spanning a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (or equivalent applied experience and skills)
- Demonstrable experience in identifying research needs, designing, and specifying research
- Experience of undertaking desk research and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative information
- Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to summarize and interpret data accurately, using appropriate data analysis packages[ES1]
- Attention to detail in checking information/evidence for accuracy and validity
- Excellent writing skills with experience conveying research findings effectively for policy-makers and practitioners
- Highly organized, with the ability to balance competing priorities and plan effectively to meet challenging deadlines
- Ability to work independently and on own initiative, as well as working as part of a wider team
- Sound judgment
- Ability to work to plan while remaining flexible as new opportunities and priorities develop
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders
- Working knowledge of data protection legislation and research ethics
Desirable:
- Experience translating research into advocacy and influencing plans
- Experience working with international NGOs
- Experience working in the fields of human rights, child development and protection; knowledge and understanding of deinstitutionalization and better care alternatives for children
- Experience in research involving children
- Experience in tracking/research of financial flows
- Experience with the UN System, and/or international financial institutions
- Fluency in a foreign language
Salary is commensurate with experience.
Medical Insurance
Lumos offers the choice of four health insurance plans, utilizing Oxford as the insurance carrier. Lumos pays 100% of the premiums for one of the four plans. Employees can choose a plan with a higher coverage level and contribute to the cost via pre-tax payroll deductions. A high-deductible health plan with a Health Savings Account is available as one of the options.
Dental Insurance
Lumos offers the choice of two dental insurance plans, utilizing MetLife as the insurance carrier. Lumos pays the full premiums for employees plus their spouses and children for one plan. Employees may choose a plan with a higher coverage level and contribute to the cost via pre-tax payroll deductions.
Vision Insurance
Lumos offers a vision insurance plan that utilizes United Healthcare Vision as the insurance carrier. Vision insurance is 100% paid by Lumos, for employees and their spouses and children.
Disability Insurance
As required by New York State law, Lumos provides long-term and short-term disability insurance to eligible employees. Disability insurance premiums are 100% paid by Lumos.
Life Insurance
Lumos provides $50,000 of life insurance to employees and covers 100% of the life insurance premiums.
Retirement Plan
Lumos offers a 401(k) retirement plan to employees after three months of employment. Currently and through December 31, 2018, employees are automatically enrolled with a 6% salary reduction contribution upon reaching eligibility. Employees may opt out of the Lumos 401(k) retirement plan or elect a contribution amount of more or less than the 6% auto-enrollment.
Lumos matches the 6% at a rate of 100% for the first 1% of employee contributions and 50% on the next 5%, for a maximum employer contribution of 3.5%.
Beginning in January 2018, Lumos will enhance the employer contribution to a non-elective 6%.
Vacation/Holiday Leave:
Lumos grants three weeks (fifteen days) of vacation time per year to full-time, active employees. Vacation leave is accrued throughout the year. Up to one week (five days) of unused vacation may be carried over to the following calendar year.
Personal/Sick Leave:
Lumos grants two weeks (ten days) of personal/sick time per year to full-time, active employees. Up to one week (five days) of unused personal leave may be carried over to the following calendar year.
Bereavement Leave:
Employees are entitled to up to three days of bereavement leave following the death of a family member.
Holidays Observed:
Lumos USA observes the following holidays:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents’ Day
Memorial Day
July 4th (Independence Day)
Labor Day
Columbus Day OR Veterans Day (employee can choose one of the two days)
Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following
Christmas Day
Public Transportation Benefit – effective as of September 1, 2018
Lumos provides employees with assistance in paying for public transportation to commute to and from the office. Lumos provides employees with $50 per month, and employees can elect additional moneys to be added to their transit card. Employees electing more than $50 per month would have the additional amount deducted pre-tax from their paycheck, up to the IRS limit.
Applications should consist of a CV, accompanied by a brief covering letter addressing the criteria in the Person Specification. These documents can be uploaded via Society’s website:
https://www.society-search.com/search/job?q=&se=0&fn=0&lc=0&sa=0&id=4647
For further information, please contact Jacqueline Eddy at [email protected]
The deadline for receipt of applications is midday on September 21st, 2018.