Division/Department: Rwanda Branch Office
Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Travel to Aegis Headquarters and branch offices as required.
Job title: Head of Research, Policy, and Advocacy

Programme: Genocide Research and Reconciliation Programme

This programme will strengthen the Rwandan community’s resilience against any possible return to genocide and persecutory violence in the future in Rwanda by strengthening social cohesion and reconciliation processes.

Reports to: GRR Programmes Director (Rwanda), Chief Executive

Responsible to: Chief Executive

Tenure: Fixed term to 30th June 2016

Main Staff Reports: Research officer, Communication Officer, Higher Education Officer, Policy Officer
General Description:

The role holder will advance a dual agenda at the start of an amalgamated three year programme as part of a wider strategic plan. Under the Programme the Head of Research, policy and Advocacy will implement a research, policy and advocacy strategy in accordance with aims and objectives of Aegis. The candidate will have a strong background in policy, public relations and advocacy with demonstrated management and leadership skills. The Director will deepen Aegis’s existing capabilities, systems and knowledge base in advocacy, policy and research and monitoring and evaluation across the whole organization in multiple sites. Further s/he will also strive to fill current gaps in Aegis’ research and will also seek to deepen and grow Aegis’s role and profile in advocating for policy change and in raising awareness on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of mass atrocities. As the Programme is heavily focused on education toward prevention of genocide, the Director should have expertise in higher education in addition to the other skills set out herein.

The Director will manage the Research, Policy, Advocacy and Higher Education Unit in accordance with the Programme requirements and therefore the ideal candidate will be a natural leader who brings a balanced perspective between the rigors of research and policy with the practicalities and challenges of monitoring and evaluation systems and processes that will be effective within Aegis’ operating context. The candidate will promote the evidence for the Programme within Aegis’ leadership team; the “Senior Management Group”, partners in the field, funders/ stakeholders, and policy makers, while making recommendations that will allow Aegis to improve and influence policy change.

It is envisaged that this position will commence with a central focus on Rwanda, but that it will grow over time and expand to other regions. Therefore, multinational field-based experience will be highly regarded in consideration of candidates.

It is critical that the candidate can demonstrate that s/he embodies the core principles of Aegis’s mission, both personally and professionally.
Key Responsibilities

Research

Responsibility for the strategy and operations of the Research, Policy, Advocacy and Higher Education Unit.
Develop and implement a research agenda and scope of interest for the Research, Policy, Advocacy and Higher Education Unit, that aims to greatly advance the field of research on effective policy and practice to end genocide and mass atrocities.
Commission and assist in design phase of original research.
Develop and implement research strategy across Aegis Trust.
Develop and implement advocacy strategy across Aegis Trust.
Develop and strengthen core partnerships and networks with key universities, research
Institutions, international NGOS, and/or multi-lateral institutions to contribute to the broader Aegis research base.

Peer review and co-authorship of articles on policy and practice in prevention of genocide and mass atrocities in specialist field.
Responsibility for delivery of content and marketing of online global genocide prevention research, education and innovation resource library and network.
Creator, designer and editor of new Working Paper Series on genocide and mass atrocity prevention

Higher Learning

Oversee the development and implementation of the field course on Genocide Prevention and Peace-building for young and mid-level professionals and graduates, run in partnership with leading international academic programs in genocide studies.
Oversee the development and implementation of the global collaborative research, education and innovation programmes in close liaison with the Director of Education where necessary.
Overall responsibility for success of graduate level course on genocide studies and field course on genocide prevention and peace-building, and delivery of some course material.
Develop and provide support for a consortium of universities including the National University of Rwanda to develop a fully accredited masters course.

Policy and Advocacy

Develop and strengthen core partnerships and networks with key stakeholders in the prevention of mass atrocities arena, including governments, global/regional networks, and multi-lateral institutions to contribute to Aegis policy dialogue.
Guide the assessment and development of policy positions to inform Aegis’s policy dialogue.
Drive collective advocacy initiatives at national and global levels to advance Aegis policy positions.
Provide subject-matter expertise to Aegis on all aspects of government relations and to governments and multilateral organizations on the development of international or intergovernmental frameworks.

M&E

Oversee the programme evaluation as it relates to the Unit, ensuring the evaluation strikes a balance across core evaluation principles.
Develop and promote a learning agenda that allows Aegis to influence programme planning, funding decisions, and strategic directions for the organization.
Ensure ongoing relevance of key measurements, standards, tools, and M&E processes by guiding the periodic review of the Programmes M&E framework and implementation.
Provide technical oversight to the programme teams to ensure effective implementation of internal monitoring and evaluation practices.
Ensure M&E findings are continually communicated in a timely and relevant way, influencing key programmatic, strategic, and communication initiatives.

Leadership

Develop and manage strategic and operational plans for the Research, Policy, Advocacy and Higher Education Unit.
Create and sustain a continuous improvement culture of innovation, achievement, support and learning within the Research, Policy, Advocacy and Higher Education Unit.
Provide ongoing mentorship and leadership for Direct Reports including core management duties (performance planning, monitoring, and performance appraisals).
Lead ongoing efforts to assess and address the organization’s capacity needs in research, policy, advocacy and M&E
Continually stay abreast of external trends and coordinate with program teams to ensure best practices in research, policy, advocacy and M&E are integrated in Aegis’ work.

Knowledge and Experience:
Education:

Required (must have):

Masters degree in social sciences, public policy, international development (education)
Training/Professional expertise in evaluation and research methods
Professional expertise in policy development and international relations

Desired (asset):

PhD in evaluation, social sciences, public policy, or international development/affairs relevant to conflict studies/genocide studies
Fluency in French and/or Kinyarwanda

Experience:

Required (must have):

7+ years of professional experience in role(s) with comparable levels of international complexity and technical relevance in monitoring, evaluation, research and policy development, and advocacy.
Solid knowledge of issues related to development and education programs, as well as international bodies and policy.
Experience in managing staff and initiatives within complex, cross-functional organizations/projects.
Experience in the field of education
Field-based international experience in post or pre-conflict contexts

Knowledge/Skills Required:

Knowledge and understanding of policy, education and human rights spheres including key players, key stakeholders, the legislative environment, the research environment.
Knowledge of policy and advocacy discipline, able to set a policy agenda, articulate policy positions, working within policy spheres both with INGOs, funders, governments, etc.
Deep knowledge of standards of practice in research and evaluation in Aegis’s core thematic areas.
Deep knowledge of advocacy strategies at the governmental, inter-governmental, non-governmental, and multilateral levels.
Deep knowledge of evaluation design and data collection methodologies.
Expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies and analysis.
Substantive understanding of the development of policy agendas and positions and the tools and means to effect policy change.
Ability to develop and maintain graceful and constructive relationships with wide variety of partners and stakeholders, including those who may at times have conflicting agendas.
Able to transform and communicate technical findings to a variety of stakeholders, including donors, management & board, program staff, fundraisers, governments, and technical peers.
Knowledge and skill in managing and mentoring staff, and providing technical support and oversight to those who are not direct reports.
For more details, see the Gatenby Sanderson website.