Research Fellow 1 – Human Development Zambia Institute For Policy Analysis And Research

The Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) is the leading think tank in Zambia, with a distinctly international character. The think tank provides an environment for creative thinking and conducting policy analysis and research, promotes dialogue and advocacy and delivers capacity building and training. Overtime, the Institute has grown to become a critical reference in the social and economic policy discourse in Zambia.

To support the Executive Director to effectively engage with stakeholders to promote evidence-based policies in a sustainable manner, ZIPAR seeks a dynamic and experienced person to fill the position of Research Fellow I-Human Development

JOB PURPOSE
Under the supervision of the Senior Research Fellow, the job holder will manage the operations of the Human Development Unit of ZIPAR. They will develop and implement study programmes on wide-ranging socio-economic issues and the political economy of development including but not limited to:

(i) The household economy i.e., livelihood, poverty and inequality;

(ii) Industrial relations, labour markets and social protection;

(iii) Education, skills development; health, child protection and development

(iv) Gender and inequality in development; and

(v) Cross-cutting issues.

The job holder will thus be expected to provide quality and timely policy commentaries, advisory services, provide capacity building and training to address critical bottlenecks to the uptake of evidence-based policy advice, and contribute to resource mobilisation. Additionally, the Job holder will be expected to use appropriate platforms to effectively disseminate evidence-based policy advice.

KEY RESULT AREAS & RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Policy Analysis and Research

• Coordinating and conducting policy analysis and research and relating the findings to practical policy problems in Zambia and the regional economic communities;
• Undertaking economic simulations to establish economy-wide impacts of policy shifts and economic shocks;
• Drafting and editing policy documents, research reports, policy briefings, memoranda, literature reviews and ‘popular’ versions of research reports;
• Overseeing the organisation of events and seminars including policy briefings, consultative workshops and deliberative forums as required;
• Contributing to the identification and development of flagship projects for ZIPAR;
• Contributing to the formulation and implementation of strategies to further the mission of ZIPAR;
• Developing and managing budgets and work plans in line with ZIPAR strategic plan;
• Participating in the monitoring, evaluation and institutional learning activities including periodic and project management reporting;
• Undertaking media work when required by for example writing press releases and drafting media articles;
• Publishing the findings of research projects in appropriate outlets including peer review journals;
• Such other appropriate duties as may be allocated by the Executive Director or Senior Research Fellow.

2. Policy Dialogue and Dissemination

• Supporting dissemination activities of ZIPAR research outputs; and
• Attending ZIPAR research meetings, seminars, workshops and other meetings as necessary.
• Representing ZIPAR at national, regional and international events as requested by the Executive Director.

3. Capacity Building

• Reviewing and proof reading of reports and working papers;
• Participating regularly in professional development opportunities; and
• Assisting other researchers with various tasks, including data entry, field research, statistical analysis and presentation preparation.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS
1. Required Education
a) Essential Qualifications

• Grade 12 School Certificate with a minimum of five (5) ‘O’ level credits or its equivalent, including Mathematics and English.
• Master’s degree in Economics/Commerce/Development Studies/Development Finance/Public Policy/Economic Statistics.
• A publication attributed to the candidate is a further added advantage

b) Preferred Qualifications

• An earned PhD in any relevant field will be an added advantage.

2. Essential Professional Memberships

• Registered and paid-up member of the Economic Association of Zambia (EAZ)

3. Required Experience:
a) Essential Experience

• Significant evidence of research conducted with at least five (5) published non-academic reports.
• At least 3 years management work experience.

b) Preferred Experience

• At least Six (6) years of work experience as a researcher.

4. Required Knowledge/Technical Skills/Competencies

• Excellent grasp of social development and economic theory;
• Excellent knowledge of the Zambian economy and the contemporary social and economic policy issues requiring remedial actions;
• Proven skills and experience in conducting both quantitative and qualitative research, and ability to work with complex datasets;
• Demonstrable ability to conduct economic modelling/simulations;
• Excellent technical writing and analytical skills i.e.
• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office, statistical packages such as SPSS, Stata, R and internet search engines;
• Proven project management and team leadership skills including the ability to manage a number of projects at one time;
• Keen attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced work environment;
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral in English;
• Demonstrable ability to present research findings in various formats and for different audiences;
• An ability to organize consultative, dissemination and raining events such as seminars, workshops, expos, briefings and validation events;
• Demonstrable ability to lead and manage a team, to work independently and as a member of a team;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to relate confidently and positively with a range of people both internally and externally; and
• Self-motivated, self-directed, creative, organized, and deeply committed to personal and organizational excellence.