Research Manager

Research Manager

Social Impact (SI) is a Washington, DC-area international development management consulting firm.  We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including energy, infrastructure, health and education, the environment, governance and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over one hundred countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits. 

Social Impact strives to be a great place to work. We work hard to create opportunities for growth and ensure that our staff are fulfilled and engaged. We believe we are better when we collaborate, learn from one another and have fun while working hard. 

Position Description: 

The Research Manager (RM) will primarily be responsible for managing a portfolio of research/evaluation projects with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the US Department of State, the World Bank, or other donor agencies and organizations.

***This position will start out as a part-time role (estimated at a minimum of 20 hours per week) with benefits including health care, 401K match, and paid time off. There is a possibility of additional work depending on the candidate’s skill set and SI’s portfolio.  The position is fully remote, but candidates must be based in the US***

Responsibilities: 

Service Delivery (80%) 

• Manage a portfolio of research/evaluations (or other monitoring and evaluation tasks), carrying out core managerial and technical functions, with oversight by Technical Directors and other senior technical project staff.

• Oversee the work of junior staff on individual contracts and coordinate with consultants, subcontractors, and clients.

• Manage evaluations (or other M&E tasks) through their life cycle from start-up and design phases through multiple rounds of data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination.  Specific responsibilities may include: 

Technical Service Delivery 

• Lead and/or support common technical tasks on projects including literature reviews; research/evaluation design; instrument development and programming; enumerator training; data quality assurance; data cleaning and statistical analysis; qualitative data collection, coding and analysis; report writing; data de-identification; and dissemination.

• Oversee the work of local data collection contractors and conduct regular quality control on quantitative and qualitative datasets, using SI’s standard quality control processes.

• As appropriate, participate in field work, such as data collection, capacity building, program monitoring, or research/evaluation design. These tasks will be graduated to match level of proficiency and skill.

• In collaboration with senior technical staff, conduct quality assurance to ensure high quality client deliverables (e.g., research/evaluation design reports, research/evaluation reports).

Contract Management 

• Establish, monitor, and update research/evaluation/M&E work plans.

• With support of the finance department, monitor project budgets and financial status and ensure financial reporting requirements are met. 

• Identify, recruit and contract personnel for research/evaluation projects as needed. 

• Lead procurement of local data collection partners as needed including writing request for proposals, outreach to firms, proposal review and selection, and subcontracting.

• Oversee mobilization and logistical preparations for research/evaluation team travel, with the support of junior project staff and SI’s travel provider.  

• Coordinate research/evaluation team inputs for contract deliverables. 

• Serve as a responsive point of contact for clients. 

Business Development/Revenue Generation (10-15%) 

• Support marketing, business and proposal development related to new opportunities.

• May write technical proposals, review draft proposals, and work with the Finance Department to develop budgets. 

Other Management Functions (5-10%) 

• Support internal initiatives or other functions, as opportunities arise and as availability allows. 

Qualifications: 

• A minimum of a Master’s degree. 

• A minimum of three years of exceptional work experience (with a minimum of five years preferred), with at least two years of experience managing development projects or evaluations. 

  • Demonstrated expertise with evaluations and/or research including both quantitative and qualitative methods

  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and provide guidance in a timely fashion. 

  • Demonstrated ability to oversee team mobilization, written research products, and quality assurance processes. 

• Experience working on Millennium Challenge Corporation, Department of State, USAID or similar contracts. 

• Excellent writing and editing experience, demonstrated through reports for various audiences.

• Experience creating high-impact data visualizations

• Ability to travel overseas for short-term assignments. 

• Experience in the energy sector is highly preferred.

• Fluency in English is required. High working proficiency in French strongly preferred.

The salary range for this position is USD $60,000 - $85,000 (prorated based on percent time worked). Salary is commensurate with experience.

Come join our diverse, innovative and collaborative team! We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, working as part of a creative and committed team, making a difference in advancing development effectiveness across the globe.   

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com 

SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. 

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.