Research and Evidence Lead (SPRING)

Background Information
The Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme will support a more stable and peaceful Nigeria, the impact of which will be that citizens will benefit from reduced violence and increased resilience to climate change. It will achieve this by supporting Nigerian stakeholders to resolve conflict and improve security, justice, and natural resource management in target areas. 
SPRiNG will support locally led enhancements to conflict prevention, violence reduction, security and justice and natural resource management; work to remove or lessen the impact of critical barriers to peace; and support partnerships for peace with like-minded international partners to multiply funding spent by the FCDO. 

SPRiNG is a politically led programme grounded in research, evidence, and science, including political economy, conflict analysis, and environmental science, to ensure that it addresses the root causes of violence. It is problem-driven, evidence-based, iterative, adaptive in approach, reflective, responsive, and scalable.
SPRiNG will seek to address a complex set of interwoven political, conflict, and ecological conflict drivers impacting security across North-West and North-Central Nigeria.

Job Overview:
This position is responsible for driving the evidence-based orientation of the SPRiNG programme, combining research, project delivery results and the application of learning, in close coordination with SPRiNG’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead. They will be responsible for delivering the programme’s knowledge generation strategy and regularly updating it in response to evolving programme priorities, results and evidence.

Reporting Line: Team Leader 

Main Duties:

Management and delivery of SPRiNG’s evidence and knowledge generation strategy:

• Implementation of the programme’s knowledge generation strategy, in line with the programme’s ToC and in coordination with the MEL Lead
• Coordination and management of programme research, analysis, and its application to programme direction and delivery
• Support to facilitate the regular review of programme component logic to identify and build the programme’s evidence base
• Design and commission thematic studies on areas related to the Programme
• Creation of research concept notes, review of research methodologies and tools, review or QA of reports and findings
• Editing of research reports as necessary to get them to required programme standards
• Identification and management of programme researchers, research partners and/or technical adviser inputs where relevant
• Support the identification of entry points for programme interventions through the results of the programme’s research and analysis
• Inputs into stakeholder analysis and SPRiNG’s stakeholder engagement and influencing approach based on research and analysis findings
• Support the identification of research gaps and where new technical expertise/experts are required
• Develop and facilitate links with Nigerian academic institutions to utilise their knowledge and expertise and support the dissemination of research and results.
• Lead and facilitate technical advisory committee meetings, as required

Presentation of research results:

• Present findings of research and analysis to the BHC Abuja Programme Team
• Present findings of research and analysis to key Nigerian policy stakeholders and relevant institutions
• Proactively generate and share research and analysis for use and leverage by other donors and FCDO programmes
• Present and seek feedback on research from consortium partners, at the relevant point in time

Technical input and oversight of projects:

• Work with the core team and Regional Manager(s) to develop issue-based Concept Notes, intervention ToCs and project proposals
• Provide quality assurance on concept notes and project proposals, ensuring that supporting interventions are coherent, mutually supportive, and in line with the programme ToC and log frame.
• Support the creation of project-level ToCs for relevant projects
• Technical input into project design and/or co-design of project proposals and pilots
• Drafting of consultant ToRs to support project delivery/piloting
• Oversight of the delivery of allocated projects, technical advice and inputs on adaptations as relevant
• Oversee the tracking and synthesis of relevant project-level learning
• Ongoing technical input and review of project delivery

Communications and knowledge management:

• Work with Team Leader and other core team members, to publish and externally showcase SPRiNG’s research, knowledge and results, in line with the programme’s communications strategy
• Internal and external promotion of the programme in line with branding guidelines and the programme’s communications strategy
• Oversight of SPRiNG’s research and knowledge management filing system, ensuring it’s accurate and up-to-date

Core member of the Senior Leadership Team:

• Participate as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, working with the Team Leader, other Technical Leads and the PMU to ensure the effective and efficient running of the programme
• Support the Team Leader in managing the programme, contributing to the strategic vision and stakeholder/partner engagement efforts, ensuring the delivery of effective interventions, and robust capture of   results and impact
• Provide ongoing updates on Research and Evidence activities at team and client meetings
• Escalation of issues as required to the Team Leader and/or Programme Director as required

Aptitude and skills:

• Background in applied research and/or policy development
• Deep knowledge of the Nigerian context, including farmer-herder conflict dynamics and banditry
• A proven track record of reoccurring and demonstrable skills and experience across SPRiNG’s key thematic areas - peacebuilding; livelihoods; natural resource management; ecology; security and justice; and conflict programming
• Experience in conducting political economy analysis, conflict analysis and thinking and working politically
• Highly organised, able to coordinate and oversee multiple pieces of work at any given time
• Excellent communication skills, verbally and in writing
• Analytical with an ability to think strategically, and logically and problem-solve individually
• Experience managing diverse teams of up to 5 people
• Experience in governance or peacebuilding programmes that have both demand and supply components
• A ‘team player’ with strong soft skills able to build effective relationships with team, clients and partners and manage complex stakeholders with competing interests
• Pro-active, self-motivated, and able to thrive in a fast-paced programme and team environment.
• A willingness to live and work in Abuja

Qualifications:

• A postgraduate university degree in political science, sociology, ecology, conflict studies or another relevant field and understanding of scientific research, evidence and data

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:

Tetra Tech prides itself on a workplace culture that advances equality, diversity, and inclusion and ensures the workplace is free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, racism, and hate speech of any form regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage, and civil partnerships. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for this role.

Disability Confident Employer:

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Safeguarding:  

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Region: United Kingdom and Europe Teams and Clients

Role Category: Headquarters Positions or Project Opportunities