Advertisement for Research Specialist for SHARIQUE III Vacancy, BIGD, BRAC University

Terms of Reference (ToR) for Research Specialist

Local Governance Programme SHARIQUE III
Sharique is a SDC project, mandated to the Consortium of HSI & BIGD

SHARIQUE III

Sharique-III is a SDC local governance project mandated to the consortium of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (HSI) and BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) of BRAC University, whereas HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation acts as the lead partner of the consortium. The project is, however, being implemented through an independent project implementation unit with a number of staff under the leadership of an international Project Director. The third Phase of the Programme started in September 2013 and will continue until August 2016 (a 3-year project).

Sharique III is trying to establish a model for efficient and responsive local governance through pilot initiatives in the districts of Rajshahi, Sunamganj, Chapai Nawabganj and Khulna with 207 Union Parishads (UPs) and 29 Upazila Parishads (UZPs). It addresses both demand and supply side responsiveness and capacity building issues in its drive to make governance work for marginalised and downtrodden people in particular. It commissions and helps BIGD to conduct a series of action and policy research on local governance in Bangladesh, and thus helps build policy briefs to influence policies in this domain. 

POSITION CONTEXT

The Research Specialist, in the framework of this programme, has the overall responsibility for planning, implementation and coordination of SHARIQUE’s research activities and shared responsibility with the Knowledge Management Specialist on advocacy activities. Working closely with other members of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), the incumbent will ensure that necessary research methods, tools, and procedures are in place for the smooth execution of the research agenda of the programme. He/she will closely work with BIGD research and advocacy team and programme management for Sharique III.

S/he will possess clear understanding of gender and other dimensions of social inequality that function as barriers to empowerment of the poor, women and disadvantaged groups. Furthermore, s/he will have excellent facilitation skills and demonstrated ability to work in a challenging environment as well as to promote a participatory approach to development. The Research Specialist will be based in Dhaka, with travels to the regions.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Research

• Lead the development of the Project’s Research agenda (what needs to be researched) and the project’s research strategy (who, how and when to conduct the research). Initiate updates to the agenda as per need.
  
• Contribute to setting up the scope of work and detailed ToR for each of the action research piece to be undertaken by the Project.
  
• Serve as research liaison between SHARIQUE PIU and the BIGD. Activities may include:
  
  • contribute to the formulation of the themes and the structure of the anticipated action research to be undertaken by BIGD on behalf of SHARIQUE
    
  • facilitate development of the schedule for the research studies
    
  • engage in formation of research teams to work on studies for SHARIQUE
    
  • draft letter and seek permission from relevant authorities to entry in the research site and access to research data and information
    
  • coordinate with other PIU and regional project staff members to help access to the research site and maintain research schedule
    
  • meet regularly with the research teams working on studies for SHARIQUE
    
  • monitor and evaluate the work of the research teams acting on behalf of SHARIQUE
    
  • receive reports and deliverables and provide feedback on research reports and other deliverables
    
  • review research briefs, based on the research reports produced by BIGD researchers, and ensure that these are in line with SHARIQUE strategy.
    
  • Visit to SHARIQUE fields.
    
• Develop and maintain close research collaboration with academics, and researchers in various universities and research institutions as well as in the development arena
  
• Contribute to brainstorming meetings and in-house discussions (SHARIQUE) on application of the results emerged from conducted action research
  
• Keep record of information obtained during research. It may include a database of information, hard files, etc.
  
• Monitor and keep record of the research conducted in the area of local governance in Bangladesh and advice Project Implementation Unit on relevant to the project studies

Knowledge Management and Advocacy

• In collaboration with the Knowledge Management Specialist initiate appropriate knowledge sharing activities focused on local governance systems and policy improvement
  
• Help BIGD advocacy team
  
  • link research briefs in preparing advocacy briefs
    
  • review advocacy briefs
    
  • support policy influence interventions
    
  • support networking with development partners and civil society organizations to advocate the messages resulted from SHARIQUE research work
    
• Contribute to the preparation of communications materials
  
• Develop strategies to build purposeful relationships with key local government stakeholders
  
• Contribute to the conceptual and practical organization of conferences, policy dialogue meetings, workshops and meetings designed to inform policy makers and decision factors about the conducted research results
  
• Contribute to internal and external advocacy events
  
• Represent SHARIQUE in different local governance networks and platforms as per management’s request

Management Cooperation

• Contribute to reporting to donor, for instance, prepare Outcome1 report for Project Director to prepare donor reports
  
• Contribute to development and the update of the Project Document and the Annual Plans of Operations
  
• Advise staff on synergies between practical work and research
  
• Participate in planning, evaluation and other staff meetings
  
• Liaise and coordinate with BIGD programme management, research and advocacy unit for Sharique
  
• Coordinate and lead research, knowledge management and advocacy unit of Sharique

WORKING CONDITIONS

Based at the Sharique PIU office in Dhaka, with approximately 20% of his/her time spent on field visits to the Sharique operating regions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

• Minimum Master degree in any social science discipline, preferably in public administration/development economics/ development studies/development management/relevant, from a recognized university
  
• Candidate with relevant foreign masters’ and/or Ph.D. degree will be preferred.

Experience
Specific qualifications and competencies required include the following:

• Minimum 10 years of general professional experience with at least 5 years in research related to local governance, public administration, decentralization, public finance or other related themes in the context of Bangladesh
  
• Well-versed in quantitative and qualitative research methods for both field and online-based data collection
  
• Excellent understanding of applied research methodology, statistical methods and evidenced proof of own research efforts, including samples of reports
  
• Strong leadership, report writing and project management experience
  
• Evidence based ability to oversee multiple research projects and teams of researchers in the field of local governance
  
• A sound understanding of the political, social and economic aspects of the local governance and decentralization contexts in Bangladesh and the South Asia region
  
• Proven knowledge and skills in innovative approaches and methodologies to address local governance issues
  
• Highly computer literate in Excel, PowerPoint, MS Access, SPSS and other statistical tools is an advantage

Language Requirements

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and Bangla.

Application

Interested candidates who fulfil the requirements should forward an application and a CV to  career@bigd.bracu.ac.bd  with Cc  to info@bigd.bracu.ac.bd  by 23 May 2015. The application should include detail contact (including email, mobile number etc) of the candidate and a short rationale on how he/she matches the criterion of the position. Short listed candidates would be informed via email about written exam and/ or interview.