Senior Program Specialist - Women’s Economic Empowerment and Growth in Low-Income Countries

At the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), we support research in developing regions of the world, financially and through capacity-building, to promote growth and development. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that bring choice and change to those who need it most. Join our dynamic team of diverse professionals and build a career that will impact the world.

Senior Program Specialist

Women’s Economic Empowerment and Growth in Low-Income Countries

Ottawa, Canada

The Supporting Inclusive Growth (SIG) Program supports rigorous and policy-oriented research that generates new insights and options for promoting policies that facilitate inclusive growth.  SIG will house a new initiative on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Growth in Low-Income Countries (WEEG).This initiative is jointly supported by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and IDRC with an approximate value of CA $15 million over 5 years. It aims to enhance knowledge and inform policies on barriers to women’s economic empowerment, the role of the care economy, and on the links and between women’s economic empowerment and economic growth. An important component is the development of a portfolio of research projects (15-20) focusing on Low-Income Countries, awarded on a competitive basis.

As the Senior Program Specialist for this new initiative you will take the lead on:

• Managing the WEEG program: overseeing the competitive call process; providing advice and guidance to colleagues supporting implementation including a Knowledge Translation Officer; directly managing a portfolio of approximately 10 research projects as well as working closely with SIG Program Officers responsible for other WEEG projects; leading the development of program monitoring system and reporting to partner agencies, and overseeing the program implementation to ensure its overall cohesion and appropriate use of funds.

• Promoting research quality and scientific merit: strengthening capacities to design and implement cutting edge, policy relevant, and rigorous research through ongoing engagement with research grantees, including site visits; providing intellectual leadership to foster deeper understanding of the WEEG issues; and contributing to the shaping of theoretical and conceptual frameworks and methodological approaches to guide future research.

• Facilitating program learning and synthesis across projects: working with research grantees and, where applicable, external advisors, to promote sound methodologies and strengthen analytical skills; forge linkages with other research programs; and encourage and support dissemination of research findings at research and policy fora as well as publications in peer reviewed journals.

• Supporting research uptake: developing and implementing a Research Uptake Strategy in consultation with the SIG Program Leader; managing ongoing synthesis of key research findings from projects; and promoting dissemination of research to key audiences.

• Contributing to governance: developing and implementing the Program’s Advisory Strategy in consultation with the SIG Program Leader; managing the recruitment and contracting of Advisors including their inputs; and providing timely updates to the WEEG Executive Committee.

Qualifications

• PhD and a record of research and publication in a relevant social science discipline such as economics, international development, gender studies ORMaster’s degree in a relevant discipline and significant work experience.
• At least eight years’ relevant experience which includes: managing a research program involving multiple stakeholders; leading and conducting research projects in developing regions on issues related to gender and economic growth; assessing and strengthening research capacities through mentoring and supervising; establishing and building partnerships with research organizations and end users; consulting with decision-makers and policy actors to identify research needs; and working in developing regions
• Bilingual position (English/French) at an intermediate level
• Knowledge of current debates and research agendas in the areas of women’s economic empowerment, care economy, gender equality and economic growth in low-income countries
• Sound understanding of research approaches and methods as well as uptake processes and challenges
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including sensitivity towards individual, gender and cultural differences
• Proven results-oriented and innovative leader, problem-solver, negotiator and motivator
• Solid analytical and writing skills
• Ability to build and maintain successful relationships with various stakeholders and work in a multidisciplinary and partially virtual team
• Flexibility to travel, mostly internationally, an average of 60 days per year

For more information about this rewarding career opportunity and to apply before the closing date of

July 17, 2013, please visit our website at www.idrc.ca/careers.