Job Description for Research & Knowledge Management Specialist
INTRODUCTION
WaterAid’s Vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. Our mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities, WaterAid works with partners to maximize its impacts for policy change/influence.
WaterAid Rwanda (WARw) works through supporting local organizations and government to plan and implement inclusive and sustainable services of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). WARw also seeks to influence the policy change through government and other key WASH stakeholders to secure and protect the right of poor people to safe, affordable water and sanitation services. Occupying the position of Research & Knowledge Management Specialist in WaterAid is an exciting opportunity to work with WaterAid and contribute to the achievement of the national and global goals towards realizing the WASH access for everyone everywhere.
WaterAid is fully committed to protecting those with whom it comes into contact. WaterAid is committed to ensuring that wherever we work in the world there is no tolerance for the abuse of power, privilege or trust. WaterAid reinforces a culture of zero tolerance towards any form of inappropriate behavior, abuse, harassment, or exploitation of any kind. The safeguarding of our beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf, is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All staff and volunteers are required to share in this commitment through our Global Code of Conduct. We will conduct the most appropriate pre- employment references and checks to ensure high standards are maintained.
For more information about safeguarding at WaterAid, please visit our safeguarding webpage at: https://www.wateraid.org/uk/safeguarding-at-wateraid
A. About the role
Job Title |
Research and Knowledge Management Specialist |
Place of work: |
Kigali, Rwanda |
Grade: |
F |
Contract type: |
Fixed term (3 years renewable) |
Reports to: |
Head of Policy, Advocacy and Cooperation |
Direct Report (s) |
Nil |
Work Relationships |
Internal: Head of Programmes, Program Managers, PMEAL, Communications & Campaigns Specialist, WaterAid East Africa Regional team, UK and other WaterAid offices, External: WARw partners, Media, Donors, Government Officials – Local and National, Line Ministries, UN Organisations, research institutions, academia private sector, Civil Society Organisations, CBOs and other I/NNGO’s |
B. Job Purpose
Job Purpose |
The Research and Knowledge Management Specialist lead and contribute to the conceptualization, design and conducting research for programmes , generating policy oriented evidence; generate and synthesize knowledge; play key role in documentation, knowledge capture and sharing, and dissemination of WaterAid Rwanda best WASH practices, key learnings, research findings, documenting the impact of our work from various stakeholders, to enhance visibility, amongst the development sector and other stakeholders (both governmental and NGO’s, civil society organizations and the donor community at large). S/He will facilitate the development of a learning culture across the organisation. In addition, S/he will engage with colleagues in other WaterAid country programmes and the International Programmes Department in managing WaterAid’s internal programme and policy information library, organising learning events and developing knowledge outputs in various forms such as reports, case studies, posters, and infographics. |
C. Main Responsibilities and Duties Research and Knowledge Management
- Conduct, commission and supervise research that strengthens the case for WASH policy change.
- Conduct systematic reviews and synthesis of published and unpublished research and other evidence and interpret the results into policy-oriented advocacy material; and generate original ideas based on the findings
- Document and share learning on WASH policy issues and civil society engagement.
- Undertake research on the projects and programmes, primarily to produce policy briefs on behalf of and in conjunction with other project staff.
- Gather, analyse, and ensure the exchange and circulation of information on WARW’s programmes and government activities related to projetcs.
- Design and implement operational research and development activities, including documentation of best practices and lessons learnt
- Conduct research and document the impact of our work to the direct and indirect beneficiaries
- Initiate and coordinate studies and evaluations by external consultants related to project baseline/end line and evaluations by supporting the hiring process, overseeing quality and disseminating/sharing results.
- Conduct regular field visits to collect primary data for producing knowledge product and evidence that can guide WARW’s programme design and influencing work.
- Study and observe works of other organisations both and national and global levels, capture lessons from their good practices and share internally which will inform effective design of projects and influencing at WaterAid Rwanda.
- Conduct research assessment on the global high-level WASH commitments and the level of implementation at regional and national levels.
- Conduct research on how GESI, Climate change, and other WASH cross cutting issues such as sustainability, technologies and data are integrated in our WASH programming
- Ensure knowledge and information are stored in a safe and effective, and, where required confidential, manner.
- In coordination with PMEAL colleagues, support the collection, validation, analysis and dissemination of information related to Knowledge Participate in the development of frameworks, methods and tools to support process improvement and knowledge management activities.
- Develop situation reports and other information and knowledge products to support programme and influencing work of WaterAid Rwanda
- In coordination with the PMEAL colleagues, support for data visualization including products to support advocacy, resource mobilization efforts, information, education, and communication (IEC) material, etc.
- Support the development and dissemination of knowledge and experience through enhanced communication, strengthened knowledge products and publications.
- Support programme and advocacy teams to develop policy briefs and other knowledge products from the results of MEAL coordinated/managed evaluations/studies as required.
- Engaging policy makers to promote application of research evidence in planning and decision-making process Building capacity in translation, dissemination and use of research evidence by policy makers and other stakeholders at national
Publications and documentation
- Collect, collate, edit, publish and distribute relevant Country Programme documentation used for shared learning, branding, awareness and information
- Build capacity of staff and partners to contribute to various WA publications.
- Participate in the production of documentaries, photo and video shoots showcasing work in the project areas.
- Prepare and edit articles for inclusion in sector newsletters, international publications and WA internal/external websites.
- Manage, maintain and regularly update the Country Programme site on the internal WaterAid website and provide input to update the Country Programme section on the external websites.
- Report quarterly on the progress of project work and the issues arising from that work and contribute to the six monthly and annual reports.
- Provide support to the Country Programme team on document formatting and management of photographic and video footage
- Manage and maintain an indexed catalogue of soft and hard copies of Country Programme reports and documents in retrievable formatting.
- Ensure that advocacy information is updated on all relevant WaterAid platforms e.g. Project Centre.
Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
- Build and maintain collaborative partnerships with research institutions, implementing agencies, communities’ academic institutions etc
- Contribute to WaterAid’s fundraising initiatives through concept, documenting impact of our work, proposal development and reporting.
D. Key Competences, Skills, experience, and Knowledge
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience |
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Behavioural competencies |
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How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply through the application form attached below no later than 25th October 2023.