Location: United States of America (the) (Washington, DC)
Closing date: 25 Apr 2008
C-CHANGE Project Summary:

The Communication for Change Program (C-Change) is a worldwide, cross-sector communication program funded by USAID and launched in September 2007. The five-year cooperative agreement (leader with associates) will provide communication assistance to programs in health (all major interventions), the environment, and democracy and governance. The program supports a systems approach to changing individual behaviors as well as social norms and aims at achieving long-term change. Improving and creating sustainable capacity in local implementing organizations as well as regional partners in the program is a priority. The program serves as the state-of-the-art communications resource center for USAID missions across development sectors. Core funds support generation and sharing of knowledge—including a major research agenda focused primarily on family planning and HIV/AIDS. The Program involves a range of partners from North America, Africa and Asia.

C-CHANGE Research Manager Position Summary:

C-Change is seeking an imaginative and rigorous social scientist to oversee and manage a portfolio of research studies. The Senior Specialist III - Research Manager will play an integral part in planning, coordinating and directing research, leading a team responsible for identifying principal investigators and for reviewing and advising on research design, implementation, analysis, and report preparation. S/he will collaborate with international scientists and experts as well as serve as a major resource for partners. In addition, in collaboration with the Capacity-Building Manager s/he will develop research training activities to attract, develop and retain research professionals at institutions in Africa and Asia.

Essential Job Functions:

Work with the Senior Research Advisor and Project Director to develop an overall project knowledge generation/research agenda that focuses on key behavioral and social change issues related to family planning, HIV/AIDS and other health topics, with special attention to questions relevant to communications interventions

Work with the Senior Research Advisor, Research Resource Group, partners and USAID to conceptualize a portfolio of basic, translational and applied research studies, including both quantitative and qualitative studies. While some studies might involve analysis of existing data, most will involve new data collection in developing countries.

Manage the research portfolio.

Provide overall management of the research team, including DC-based managers, C-Change partners and resource institutions to accomplish the following tasks:

* Write RFPs (Requests for Proposals) when necessary; manage the proposal review process; and oversee the execution of the contract
* Identify principal investigators, review and advise on research design, implementation, analysis and report preparation. Ensure that research adheres to quality and ethical standards.
* Design and manage the development of appropriate data collection methods and tools with particular attention to social network, social system, and other social methods and tools
* Provide technical assistance and support to regional research partners and consultants. In collaboration with the C-Change Capacity-Building Manager, develop research training approaches (including writeshops) to attract, develop and retain research professionals at institutions in Africa and Asia
* Draft or review research reports, papers, and other technical documents
* Translate research results into implications for communication and program activities
* Deliver presentations on research and programs to internal and external audiences; represent C-Change at international meetings
* May also serve as an activity leader for selected knowledge generation activities


Education:

Doctorate in one of the following or related fields: Demography, Sociology, other Social Sciences, Communication, Behavior Change Communication required.

Specific Knowledge Requirements:

* Doctorate level with at least 7 year(s) of experience in research; experience in international settings, particularly in Africa
* Experience in applied research on family planning/reproductive health and/or HIV/AIDS
* Experience with social networking, social systems, and other social approaches preferred
* Experience in research capacity-building preferred
* Knowledge of the literature on family planning/reproductive health
* Experience in a range of international health areas particularly family planning/reproductive health and HIV/AIDS
* Expertise in social change, behavior change and behavior change communication
* Working knowledge of French preferred
* Knowledge of other health areas (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and child health) a plus Experience working on USAID projects and with NGOS and other donor/international organizations preferred
* Experience with computers, including statistical software


Skills:

* Proven ability to design and conduct applied behavioral and social research in developing countries
* Proven ability to manage a team of researchers/research institutions carrying out multiple research activities
* Demonstrated capacity to provide technical and managerial leadership and supervision
* Demonstrated competency in mentoring national staff
* Demonstrated success in collaborative research
* Excellent research skills, including expertise in a diverse set of research methodologies
* Strong organizational, interpersonal, and management skills
* Excellent communication and writing skills
* Ability to work in a team consisting of people with different technical backgrounds and with people from different cultures and with varying methodological approaches/skills
* Ability to work in program settings around the world
* Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise activity managers, and eventually regional research managers.
* Working Conditions including Travel and Overtime: Must be willing to travel overseas for 30% of time.

Vacancies Contact
Interested applicants should send resume with cover letter referencing position #CS8087RW to: AED/HR, 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009; fax: (202) 884-8413 or email: employ@aed.org (PREFERRED). For additional information, visit our website at http://www.aed.org.
We thank all individuals for their interest in AED, however only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
Individuals responding to job postings are considered applicants if you meet the following criteria: (1) have expressed interest through the Internet, email or other related technologies, (2) are considered by the AED for a particular position, (3) possess the basic qualifications for the position and (4) do not at any point remove yourself from consideration.
AA/EOE/M/F/D/V