Global Technical Lead, NTD Research at Sightsavers Full Time

Sightsavers is an international organisation that changes lives for the long term. We work in more than 30 countries to eliminate avoidable blindness and support people with visual impairments to live independently.

We are in search for young, experienced and passionate individuals to join our team in the underlisted position:

Job Title: Global Technical Lead, NTD Research

Location: Nigeria
Contract: Two Year Fixed Term Contract

Job Summary

• Sightsavers are seeking a Global Technical Lead – a research lead to provide strategic and technical guidance to a broad range of studies related to health, education and social inclusion. High quality evidence and research are critical for Sightsavers operations.
• We hold Independent Research Organisation (IRO) status granted by UK Research and Innovation (UK RI). Our in-house Research team includes over 20 staff with expertise in epidemiology, economics, social science, GIS methods and systematic reviews.

About the Role

• We are one of the major global players in the delivery of programmes targeting elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) working primarily on five preventive chemotherapy NTDs; trachoma, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH).
• The Global Technical Lead will possess good knowledge of disability metrics, cross-sectional surveys and participatory research methodologies Our current portfolio of inclusion research includes both quantitative and qualitative studies; and good technical knowledge of both research paradigms is critical for this role.

Principal accountabilities will include:

• Provide scientific leadership and technical inputs to specific studies related to health and disability inclusion
• Working closely with Programme Technical Leads, the Monitoring and Evaluations team, and Country offices to identify programmatic challenges that could be addressed through operational research
• Working with fundraising teams and Programme teams to raise new income for research and innovations
• Working with the research uptake and learning (RUL) advisers and Sightsavers communications team to contribute to the delivery of the RUL and Research communication strategies
• Raising Sightsavers’ visibility and research profile through effective academic and non-academic partnerships
• Overseeing the work and line manage relevant research staff and consultants
• Providing contribution to cross-departmental and cross-organisational initiatives

 About you
To succeed in this role, you will need:

• A Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Education or related discipline
• A postgraduate Degree in epidemiology, psychology, international development or equivalent (Essential)
• A PhD or professional Doctorate (Desirable)
• Excellent knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including cross -sectional surveys, randomised controlled trials, qualitative studies and mixed methods designs (Essential);
• Good knowledge of disability metrics and equity measurements (Essential);
• Considerable experience in leading and conducting research in low-income countries (Essential)
• Experience of submitting successful research grant applications to funding bodies (UK research Councils, FCDO, USAID, Philanthropy Foundations) (Essential);
• Experience of working within, or alongside, not-for-profit development organisations (Essential);
• Good knowledge of health and disability research organisations and networks (Essential);
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications and scientific conference presentations (Essential)
• Line management and team management experience (Essential)

Salary
Local Terms and Conditions Apply.

Application Closing Date
24th October, 2021.

Note

• This is an exciting and involved role, which will also include travel for up to 12 weeks per year.  As an inclusive employer we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community.
• Qualified people living with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply. Please note that local terms and conditions apply for all roles and salaries will be provided in advance of interview for shortlisted candidates.
• We anticipate that remote interviews will be held in early November 2021.