Organization: Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre

Reports to: Director of Research and Training / Executive Director

Salary: Competitive salary

Starting date: Asap

Contract: Full time contract until 31 August 2023 (with high possibility of renewal based on performance)

Duty station: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Closing date for applications: 02 November 2022 by 16:00 GMT

Application to be submitted electronically to Andrea Klingel: aklingel@slurc.org




THE SIERRA LEONE URBAN RESEARCH CENTRE

Based in Freetown, the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC) is a globally connected research centre which was created through a partnership between the Bartlett Development Planning Unit at University College London and the Institute of Geography and Development Studies at Njala University. It’s mission is to improve the wellbeing of urban informal settlement dwellers through: strengthening the research and analysis capacities of urban stakeholders in Sierra Leone; significantly improving the quality and quantity of available knowledge on urban issues in particular on informal settlements in Sierra Leone; making urban knowledge available and accessible to those who need it, prioritizing residents of informal settlements; and delivering world leading research in order to influence urban policy and practice.

SLURC is building a research network integrated with Freetown’s informal settlements and their organisations, a research and training agenda relevant to the needs of these communities and their organisations. SLURC is now well-positioned as an institution trusted by communities and their structures such as the Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor (FEDURP) as well as NGOs, local and central government and international organisations and is therefore capable of brokering partnerships that can transform urban development pathway in Sierra Leone.

THE ROLE 

The Senior Researcher will play an important role in planning, coordinating, and overseeing the activities on a multitude of research projects across a range of SLURC’s research themes. The Senior Researcher will provide guidance to other research staff in terms of research methodologies, analysis, report writing, and further capacity building. The post holder will develop and foster relationships with SLURC’s stakeholders and urban actors and work in partnership with other organizations involved in the research as well as with DPU.

A key role will be to support the Executive Director and the Director of Research and Training in their research responsibilities, leading on data analysis, writing of reports, briefs, and other publications and generally contributing to achieve SLURC’s strategic agenda which includes greater policy engagement and advocacy for improvement in the wellbeing of informal settlement dwellers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The appointment includes the following responsibilities:

Core responsibilities:

• Independently undertake advanced research on SLURC’s thematic areas selecting and developing the appropriate methods/techniques and managing the affiliated researchers of the projects

• Lead the production of high-quality research outputs (publications, reports, briefs etc.) as required by funding bodies and for wider dissemination

• Lead and promote activities planned to develop collaborative research with research colleagues and their institutions both within Sierra Leone and internationally and to develop appropriate contacts and networks for relevant future research collaborations

• Lead or support bids for major research and/or consultancy projects

• Provide guidance and supervision to research staff in the design of research methods and tools, undertake research activities, conduct analysis, present findings as well as manage relationships with research partners

• Write reports, briefs and other publications and produce effective research outputs, meeting deadlines and guiding other research staff in their writing efforts

Other areas to provide support in:

1. Support the development of project work plans and ensuring implementation of project activities, deliverables, and timelines
2. Support research staff in the preparation of budgets for certain projects and providing oversight
3. Work collaboratively with the team including the Directors
4. Build and maintain strong trusted relationship with relevant stakeholders
5. Attend, participate and help facilitate meetings, training, workshops and other SLURC events
6. Prepare and deliver presentations to partners, stakeholders or at events
7. Build the capacity of the SLURC staff in general and transfer skills
8. Contribute to team-wide communications and knowledge management and participate in organisation-wide events as requested by the SLURC Management
9. Any other ad hoc responsibilities as may be required by your Line Manager

The candidate is required to at all times follow SLURC and relevant DPU and partner/funder policies on Research Ethics, Code of Conduct, Equality, Safeguarding, Health and Safety and other policy themes.

Note: this job description reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the postholder.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS 

ESSENTIAL 

• MPhil/PhD degree in a relevant social science discipline (e.g. development studies, urban studies, public health, land and housing or related field)

• Demonstrate experience with and thorough knowledge of research approaches and methodologies (qual and quant), especially participatory research methodologies

• Demonstrate excellent analysis and writing skills 

• Demonstrate experience and knowledge of project planning including project cycle, work plans and budgeting

• Track record of academic and other publications on urban development, land and housing or public health related issues, including first author (submit pdf copies via email)

• Demonstrate good people management skills, supporting capacity building

• Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team and to form effective and collaborative working relationships across the whole organisation and wider networks
• Demonstrate good interpersonal skills and capacity to negotiate complex relationships with academic partners, government officials, urban professionals, local and international NGOs, communities and development donors
• Demonstrate the awareness and experiences necessary to work in a multi-cultural setting involving sensitive group dynamics
• Motivation and skills to build capacity and transfer skills to SLURC staff and other actors as appropriate to ensure long-term sustainability of SLURC

• Understanding of knowledge management issues including production, dissemination and training in the global South with demonstrated experience of working with national and/or local government, development partners and/or communities and/or civil society. 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills

• Demonstrate good listening and clear communication skills adaptable to different target groups, from policy makers to community members and funders

• Excellent presentation skills and concise in presenting key learning

• • Proactive, regular, and clear communication with key contacts 
  • Excellent written and spoken English

• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality, freedom of information, data protection and equal opportunities

• Good knowledge of MS Office including MS excel, PowerPoint, also SPSS, coding software such as NVivo and data collection programmes such as KoBo

DESIRABLE

• Knowledge of urban development, demonstrated qualitative research and analysis skills, experience in peer-reviewed publishing in reputable journals and ability to work under pressure 

APPLICATIONS FROM FEMALE SENIOR RESEARCHERS

SLURC seeks to recruit a diverse workforce, we therefore encourage applications from female candidates. 

CONTRACTUAL DETAILS: 

The appointment will be made from the nearest possible date for an initial period up to 31st August 2023 with a high possibility for extension depending on performance.

APPLICATIONS PROCEDURE: 

Please submit a CV (max 4 pages) and a covering letter (max 2 pages) explaining your motivations to apply for the post and how your experience and skills fulfil the person specifications. Also provide contact details for two recent referees (we will not contact them without your permission).

Applications need to be submitted by email to: aklingel@slurc.org with subject line ‘Senior Researcher, Freetown’.

Deadline for applications is Wednesday 2nd November 2022 16:00 GMT

The candidate will need to be available for interview in w/c 7th November 2022 in Freetown (possibly via Zoom if abroad).