Research Officer

I. Position Summary

This role sits within Malala Fund’s advocacy team, carrying out research on girls’ education and providing data insights and statistical analysis across our key themes of education financing, education quality and social norms. Reporting to the Research and Policy Manager, the Officer will produce research briefings and reports, provide support to Malala Fund grantees, and be the point person within the organization for data insights and statistical analysis on girls’ education and gender equality.

The ideal candidate will be a quantitative researcher with a track record of working with data to influence policy and practice. The successful candidate will have an eye for creative uses of existing data sources to persuade decision makers, whilst making facts and statistics accessible and understandable to all.

II. Responsibilities 

Developing the evidence base for Malala Fund’s advocacy and thought leadership

• In line with Malala Fund’s research strategy and agenda, produce research reports,position papers, briefings and fact sheets.
• Bring data to life through creative presentation methods such as visualizations, dashboards, score-cards, indices and generation of striking comparisons/”killer statistics”.
• Develop understanding of data gaps and why they exist, and provide proposals for creative work-arounds given the constraints.
• As directed, design or commission quantitative research, surveys and polling to support Malala Fund advocacy and communications.

Relationship management on data and indicators

• Lead Malala Fund’s engagement with the leading data organization and processes relevant to our work (e.g., Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goals Indicators (SDG); UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
• Foster partnerships for Malala Fund that enable us to access and work with additional data, and use new technologies to facilitate this.
• Scope out potential partners to enable Malala Fund to make use of non-traditional data sources and data mining methods.

Supporting the Malala Fund family on research quality assurance

• Advise Malala Fund grantees on quantitative research and statistical analysis to support their advocacy at national and sub-national levels.
• Keep other Malala Fund departments up-to-date on data trends in girls’ education and related fields, and build their understanding of how they relate to our strategic plan.
• Ensure all research is conducted to the highest standards of research ethics, including compliance with the Malala Fund Child Protection Policy.
• As requested, support with the preparation of funding proposals. 

Organizational Culture

• Upholds the values of Malala Fund.
• Actively contributes to making Malala Fund a diverse and equitable workplace through inclusive practice and openness to different perspectives, cultures and ideas.
• Maintains behavior and conduct that uphold the highest standards for safeguarding, professionally and personally.
• Acts as a role model for a ‘learning organization's culture by seeking insight and using problems as opportunities to learn.

III.  Knowledge, Experience and Behaviors

Essential

• Graduate degree in a related subject.
• Knowledge of data sources for international development research and advocacy.
• Demonstrable understanding of how data and evidence can be used and presented to

influence policy.

• Confidence in using statistics software packages such as Stata, R to generate data insights and communicate them effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill complex ideas and large amounts of data into clear and concise reports and presentations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
• Strong commitment to Malala Fund’s mission, purpose and values.
• Strong commitment to gender equality, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, decolonization and social justice.
• Strong commitment to professional development and continued learning.
• Excellent team player with ability to work independently and in collaboration with colleagues at all levels across departments and external stakeholders.

Desirable

• Knowledge of data sources for international education and development finance.
• Working knowledge of any language(s) relevant to Malala Fund’s work. 

Malala Fund is committed to racial equity and social justice. We actively seek applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities, to provide a wide range of perspectives, ideas, views and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of Malala Fund. We would particularly welcome applications from candidates who have lived in countries in which Malala Fund is operating.

 IV. About Malala Fund

Registered as a public charity in the U.K. and U.S., Malala Fund is working toward a world where all girls can learn and lead. With more than 130 million girls out of school today, we're breaking down barriers that hold girls back.

Malala Fund advocates for resources and policy changes needed to give all girls a secondary education. The girls we serve have high goals for themselves and we have high expectations for leaders who can help them. We invest in local education leaders and front-line organizations — the people who best understand girls in their communities — in regions where most girls are missing out on secondary school. We give girls the tools they need to advocate for education and equality in their communities and a platform for the world to hear their voices. We believe girls should speak for themselves and tell leaders what they need to learn and achieve their potential.

Applicant must have right to work in the location they are applying and will be expected to work from that location.

Please be aware we are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the vacancy should a suitable candidate be identified before the closing date.

Please note that due to the very high number of applications we receive when positions are posted, we are only able to respond directly to candidates with whom we wish to move forward in the interview process.

Malala Fund is an inclusive organization and welcomes applications from under-represented and intersectional groups including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities. We are seeking people from different backgrounds, cultures, age, experience and identities, to provide a wide range of experience, ideas, views and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of Malala Fund.

Malala Fund is committed to ensuring the safety of those involved in our work. Our first priority is protecting everyone who comes in direct or indirect contact with our organization. Malala Fund has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and exploitation by any of our staff, representatives or partners. We commit to ensuring that those who work with Malala Fund or on our behalf are able to work in an environment that is free from harm. To this end, Malala Fund reserves the right to conduct background checks on prospective and current employees.