Chief Research Specialist at Human Sciences Research Council (HRSC)

Job Advert Summary    
A permanent position to be based in Cape Town, Pretoria or Durban .The Impact Assessment sub-unit of the Impact Centre seeks to appoint a Chief Research Specialist/Impact Evaluation specialist on a permanent contract. The candidate should be an accomplished candidate with experience in the science and measurement of impact, impact evaluation research, evidence-informed public policy and evaluation science to support the Impact Assessment unit and the Impact Centre as a whole. The level of the appointment will depend on the mix of qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

Minimum Requirements    
Key Requirements:

• A doctorate in behavioural economics, econometrics, quantitative social science, or other related disciplines with impact evaluation training.
• At least 6 years’ experience as a senior impact evaluation, implementation science researcher or similar position.
• Excellent knowledge of impact evaluation methodologies, (quantitative and qualitative skills applicable to impact evaluations)
• Excellent analytical and computer skills
• A strong record of published research in both local and international journals, and/ or a strong record of public policy analysis and evaluation report development (at least 10 publications in peer reviewed journals).
• Expertise in one of the priority areas of the Impact Centre: research impact, evidence-informed policy making, rapid evidence synthesis, systematic reviews
• Intellectual and personal integrity, imagination, and drive.
• A strong user orientation, based on a commitment to social research that makes a difference.
• The ability and enthusiasm to lead research and practice teams involved in large-scale multidisciplinary projects, to manage team members, and to mentor and train junior researchers; and
• The versatility to apply quantitative and qualitative methodologies to challenging subject matter across disciplinary boundaries.

Duties & Responsibilities    
Key Responsibilities:

• Develop a programme of work in the Impact Assessment unit around the science of impact, impact evaluation and assessment, evidence-informed policy making,
• Provide leadership on the measurement of impact, and impact assessment and evaluation:   
• Conceptualise and lead on the science and measurement of impact and provide inputs on proposals, protocols, and tools for key projects across different divisions of the HSRC
• Provide leadership on relating project research objectives and impact questions
• Evaluation design (Experimental/Quesi-Experiemental, quantitative/qualitative, sampling and sample sizes, evaluations methods etc)
• Design and implement impact evaluations in partnerships with divisions in the HSRC, government and other partners on projects of interest
• Provide workshops/training on impact evaluations concepts (Theory of Change Models, attributions and causations, implementation science, study designs, experimental, quesi-experimental designs etc, results frameworks, logic models etc)
• Mentor junior staff on impact assessment and evaluations
• Conduct evaluation studies to assess the impact and effectiveness of various HSRC programme, policies and interventions and develop accessible knowledge products.
• Foster knowledge sharing and disseminate evaluation findings and lessons to increase awareness and knowledge in SA and beyond.
• Support strengthening of impact evaluation capacity in the HSRC.
• Build visible national, continental, and international impact research partnerships
• Develop opportunities for fund raising to support Impact Evaluation programme of work.  
• Deliver high-quality results and reports within budget and deadline.
• Communicate research findings and publish in peer reviewed journals.
• Mentor junior researchers

Closing Date: 30th, June 2022.