Research Director - NatCen International

A Research Director at NatCen International is an established expert in their particular research or policy field. They will have successfully raised funds, led multi-country and/or multi-year projects, authored a distinctive body of research and will have conducted advisory work to bilateral and multilateral organisations and international NGOs.
Within the Centre, they will be expected to develop and provide thought leadership on an ambitious research agenda on one of the four core thematic areas (digital societies, climate, migration and health) as well as lead on bidding, fundraising and delivering research in their area of research. They will manage and deliver mixed method, survey and/or qualitative research projects to budget and timetable. They will also promote NatCen International as a brand and maintain a visible and substantive presence in external networks.

We particularly welcome applications from experts in digital societies (technology and Artificial Intelligence) who have an interest or a track record in the three other thematic areas (climate, health and migration).
Other specific responsibilities include:

Research Leadership

• Develop an innovative research agenda/portfolio on one of the four thematic areas.


• Direct individual research studies including large scale projects to time and budget.


• Manage project teams to deliver first-class research to meet client needs.


• Contribute to the development and mentoring of staff.


• Provide advice, guidance and quality assurance for every aspect of the design, implementation, analysis and writing up of a study.


Fundraising

• Lead on proposals and applications for funding.


• Work with the Director of NatCen International on engaging key donors and foundations especially with a focus on the UK, Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia.


Public Engagement

• Engage in impact activities to promote NatCen International's work externally.


• Contribute to NatCen International's multidisciplinary research and partnership initiatives and activities.


• Expand partnerships for NatCen International in new regions.


Additional Tasks

• Maintain and promote high ethical and information security standards.


• Contribute to delivering training courses on research methods or policy area as part of the NatCen International Academy


To perform any other reasonable duties that NatCen International may require that are consistent with the broad nature of the job.


• A PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject area.


• Experience of directing high-quality research projects and programmes in a relevant subject area (for example AI)


• Experience of leading research teams and managing complex projects.


• A track record of securing funding for high quality social research.


• Demonstrable methodological skills in one or more of the following: surveys, quantitative analysis, qualitative approaches, deliberative research methods or evaluation and ability to lead mixed-methods research projects.


• Strong knowledge and expertise in relevant policy areas.


• A good record of policy engagement and research impact.


• Experience of developing, maintaining and enhancing a network of partners and collaborators within the discipline.


• Ability to work flexibly and proactively on multiple concurrent research projects.


• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to engage with and influence client relationships and internal stakeholders.
  
  NatCen International is the global arm of the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). Through rigorous research, advisory services and policy engagement, we work to empower societies to shape global social policy and practice.


In addition to our six workstreams, our NatCen International Academy provides tailored and contextualised training courses on a wide range of research methods and social policy areas.

We are a dynamic, ambitious and multidisciplinary team with expertise in a wide range of international development and social policy areas including peace, conflict and security, countering violent extremism and terrorism, migration, climate change, health, philanthropy, civic engagement, education, economic growth, gender, humanitarian policy and human rights. We have a successful track record in leading projects, large and small, and expertise in complex project and consortium management.

Our work is global, and we work in partnership with local governments, organizations, universities and research centres to ensure that our research is rooted in the lived social and economic realities of the countries we engage in.

We have recently added digital societies (technology + Artificial Intelligence) as a core thematic area alongside our three existing ones: global health equity, migration, and climate change., At NatCen Social Research we believe that social research has the power to make life better. By really understanding the complexity of people's lives and what they think about the issues that affect them, we give the public a powerful and influential role in shaping services that can make a difference to everyone. And as an independent, not-for-profit organisation we're able to focus our time and energy on meeting our clients' needs and delivering social research that works for society.

As well as a competitive salary, an excellent working environment (including a home/office hybrid working environment), you will be working for the largest independent social research organisation in the UK. We are proud of the benefits we offer our employees which include:

• 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) and flexible working


• Generous company pension scheme


• Life insurance and health cash plan


• Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan


• Career development, professional subscriptions support and mentoring support from industry-leading experts.