Chief Research Specialist/Senior Research Specialist at Human Sciences Research Council (HRSC)

Job Advert Summary

The Impact Assessment sub-unit of the Impact Centre seeks to appoint a Chief Research Specialist/ Senior Research Specialist on a permanent basis.  The candidate should be an accomplished researcher with experience in impact evaluation research, evidence-informed public policy, evaluation science and research impact 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, demography, quantitative social science, or other related disciplines.
• At least 6 years’ experience in senior impact evaluation, implementation science research, research impact, policy evaluations 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 to 12 [publications in peer reviewed journals).
• 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 impact evaluation research, evidence-informed policy making, government policy and policy evaluations, and evaluation science
• Engage stakeholders including policy makers in government, and other bodies on conceptualising, methodologies and evaluations for research impact.
• Provide leadership on impact evaluations across divisions in the HSRC
• Conceptualise and lead on impact evaluation inputs on proposals, protocols, and tools for key projects  
• Provide guidance on evaluation design (experimental/quasi-experimental, quantitative/qualitative, sampling and sample sizes, evaluations methods etc)
• Provide workshops/training on impact evaluations concepts (theory of change models, attributions and causations, implementation science, frameworks, logic models etc)
• Support strengthening of impact evaluation capacity in the HSRC.
• Design and implement impact evaluations in with divisions in the HSRC with government and other partners on projects of interest
• Support and conduct evaluation studies to assess the impact and effectiveness of various policies and intervention and develop accessible knowledge products.
• Foster knowledge sharing and disseminate evaluation findings and lessons to increase awareness and knowledge of impact evaluations and research in SA and beyond.
• Build visible national, continental, and international impact research partnerships
• Deliver high-quality results and reports within budget and deadline.
• Communicate research findings and publish in peer reviewed journals.
• Mentor junior researchers