Children International (CI) is a global nonprofit that delivers child and youth development programming to break the cycle of generational poverty. We serve 218,000 young people in 10 countries around the world for the first two decades of their lives. By providing access to resources that include health care, education, and life and job skills, we are equipping them to eventually become sustainably employed adults, as we empower young people to transform their lives, we also are strengthening their families and communities.
Children International’s work to end poverty for good is made possible by approximately 3,800 dedicated volunteers and by generous sponsors, donors, corporations and partner organizations. Our mission is also carried out by 1,300 employees worldwide. To ensure that our programs continue giving children and youth the best possible chance, we are growing our people talent. That’s where you come in.
Position summary
The Research and Studies specialist provides strategic and technical support for global research and studies that advance Children International’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning priorities. This role designs and manages practical, right-sized qualitative and quantitative studies, translates findings into accessible insights for decision-making, and builds research capacity across global and country teams. The position requires strong research and evaluation skills, cross-cultural collaboration, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced international NGO environment.
Responsibilities
Design Studies & Conduct Research
-
Conduct global studies and research to answer organizational questions, respond to specific needs and priorities.
-
Manage multiple studies or projects at the same time.
-
Design studies that utilize quantitative and/or qualitative methods, that are practical, right-sized, and useful for decision-making and practical application.
-
Integrate participatory and culturally appropriate methods into the design.
Produce reports and communicate findings
-
Package results and findings in a clear, accessible, and timely manner that is audience specific.
-
Ability to generate learnings and insights independently and in collaboration with key stakeholders involved in the research and study.
Collaborate and Support Training
-
Support training and capacity building to enable strong research and study methods among global teams.
-
Work closely with business leads, regional MEL leads, and country MEL teams to define research questions, collaborate on design methods, and dissemination of findings.
-
Generate insights collaboratively with key actors involved in the research and study.
Project Coordination
-
Ability to move projects forward in simple way that meet the need and address the problem.
-
Manage competing priorities, multiple projects across multiple countries and locations.
-
Ensure study and research projects are “right sized” and remain focused and within scope.
Personal Characteristics & Qualifications
Education
-
Minimum 3-5 years' of relevant experience in research, monitoring and evaluation, learning, or applied studies.
-
Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred in international development, public health, statistics, economics, project management, program design, evaluation, or a related field.
Technical Skills
-
Strong quantitative and qualitative research, evaluation, and learning skills, including experience designing practical studies, developing data collection tools, analyzing findings, and translating results into useful recommendations.
-
Experience with participatory, youth led, and culturally responsive research and evaluation methodologies a plus.
-
Ability to apply research and evaluation methods to a variety of programmatic areas, such as workforce development, health and education systems strengthening, caregiver, children and youth programming.
Collaborative, Adaptive, and Effective in Project Management
-
Ability to problem solve, think creatively, and learn on the job.
-
Collaborative team player with the ability to build trust and work effectively across cultures, languages, time zones, and organizational levels.
-
Ability to work remotely, independently with minimal oversight.
-
Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt as needed to priorities.
-
Ability to support regional MEL leads in training, facilitation, coaching, or capacity building for colleagues or partners on research, evaluation, or learning methods.
Communication, Writing and Reporting Skills
-
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
-
Ability to synthesize complex findings into clear, accessible products for technical and non-technical audiences.
-
Ability to travel internationally, including to the United States and countries where Children International works.
-
English proficiency required; proficiency in Spanish is a plus.
Organizational Policies
-
Strictly observe confidentiality and strong ethics with respect to all beneficiary information/financial and other organizational data.
-
Comply with and ensure adherence to the organization’s policies, safety and security protocols and child safeguarding norms and guidelines by self as well all stakeholders both internal and external.
-
Value other cultures, and demonstrate respect while relating with all organizational constituents irrespective of their race, color, faiths, gender, sexual orientation, age, caste, disabilities, experiences, beliefs, and ethnicity.
Overall Decision Making & Supervision
-
This position requires moderately difficult decisions requiring judgement and initiative.
-
This position is monitored on progress
Job Information
-
Department: Global Programs and Operations
-
Reports to: Senior Program Officer for ME&L
-
Grade: PP2 (Proposed International Grade: 8)