ResearchOfficerx2VacancyParticularsREF703

VACANCY PARTICULARS Research Officers X 2 (Digital & Technology) (Ref:703) Hours per week: 35 (1.0 FTE) Contract type: Permanent Grade: 6 Salary: £24,788 - £37,024 per annum, pro rata Closing date: Thursday 11th February 2016 at 10am UK time Interview date: TBC Reporting to: the Digital Cluster Leader Who We Are The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a leading global institution for research, teaching and learning, and impact and communications, based at the University of Sussex. Our Vision Our vision is of equal and sustainable societies, locally and globally, where everyone can live secure, fulfilling lives free from poverty and injustice. What We Do The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a leading global institution for development research, teaching and learning, and impact and communications, based at the University of Sussex. Our vision is of equal and sustainable societies, locally and globally, where everyone can live secure, fulfilling lives free from poverty and injustice. We believe passionately that cutting-edge research, knowledge and evidence are crucial in shaping the changes needed for our broader vision to be realised, and to support people, societies and institutions to navigate the challenges ahead. Through our commitment to engaged excellence we work towards transformations that reduce inequalities, accelerate sustainability and build more inclusive and secure societies. We do this neither as a university organisation nor a thinktank, but by combining elements of both in a unique mix that is articulated in our engaged excellence approach. Since 1966 IDS has been working with partners to tackle complex development challenges and contribute the evidence, analysis, theory and facilitated learning that can help communities, practitioners and decision-makers at all levels work together for practical, positive change. Our partnership with the University of Sussex supports and accredits our teaching and learning programmes, where in PhD studies and a range of high-level Masters’ courses we aim to produce a new generation of development thought, policy and practice leaders. The Institute is home to approximately 100 researchers affiliated to thematic research clusters, 70 knowledge professionals, 65 professional staff and about 200 students at any one time. But the IDS community extends far beyond, encompassing an extensive network of over over 360 partners, 3,000 alumni and hundreds of former staff.

Digital & Technology ClusterThe core themes of the Digital and Technology cluster include: digital citizenship, accountabilityand rights, digital government and service delivery, digital economy and jobs and digitalenvironment, energy and resilience. Cross cutting themes include digital governance and digitalpractices.The work of the digital cluster is firmly aligned with the core IDS strategic themes of curbinginequalities, accelerating sustainability, and building inclusive and secure societies.Job DescriptionOverall purpose of the roleThe individuals will help to lead, shape and actively contribute to the work of the IDS digital cluster.The individuals will work on, support and develop cutting-edge research that will help to advanceknowledge, shape policy and inspire practice around the possibilities and limitations offered by anincreasingly digital world.Main Duties and ResponsibilitiesResearch• Work on research projects and proposals related to and the core and cross-cutting themes of the digital cluster• Work on the pilot State of Digital Development report• Work on collaborative research projects• Contribute to the process of securing funding• Support the development of new research agendas• Challenge accepted knowledge and understanding related to digital developmentLiaison and networking• Participate in and develop external networks, for example to identify sources of funding, build relationships for current and future activities, and enhance research impact• Develop links with external contacts to foster collaboration and partnerships• Promote the work of the Institute both nationally and internationally.Communications• Contribute to the production of academic publications, research reports and IDS Bulletins• Contribute to IDS blogs, and social media, produce opinion pieces, and participate in media interviews.Collegiality• Participate in cluster and Institute activities as required• Liaise with colleagues and students• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration• Act as a responsible group member and develop productive working relationships with othersFunding• This post will initially be part funded by an existing grant, but the successful candidates will be expected to (with support from their cluster leader) identify and contribute to securing future funding

EqualitiesYou must be prepared to implement the Institute’s Equal Opportunities Policy at a level appropriateto the job and must at all times carry out your duties with due regard to the Institute’s EqualOpportunities Policy.Health and SafetyYou must be prepared to be responsible for the implementation of, and compliance with, theprovisions of legislation relating to the health and safety of such employees and areas of theworkplace as fall under your direct control and for complying with legislation relating to such worksand contracts as are within your direct responsibility.GeneralYou will be required to undertake such other duties appropriate to the grade and character of thework as may reasonably be required of you. Therefore, the list of duties in this job descriptionshould not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive.Your duties will be set out in this job description but please note that the Institute reserves the rightto update your job description, from time to time, to reflect changes in, or to, your job. Significantpermanent changes in duties and responsibilities will require agreed revisions to be made to thisjob description. You will be consulted about any proposed changes.

Person SpecificationSkills and experienceRequirement Essential Desirable Assessment • ApplicationQualifications • A postgraduate degree related • Application to technology, innovation or • Interview digital tools in an interna- tional development context, or • Application equivalent work experience • InterviewKnowledge • Excellent knowledge and un- derstanding of current issues and debates in international development • Good knowledge of digital development, technology for development and / or innova- tion for development issues with particular attention to how they affect poor and vulnerable communities in low and middle income countries • Authored or co-authored publications relating to digital, technology or innovation in developmentSkills • Excellent analytical and syn- • Networking skills thesis skills • An emerging publications • Excellent English writing and record editing skills, including the ability to tailor material for different formats (web, email, etc) and communicate special- ist knowledge in non-technical language. • Ability to assimilate complex research or other relevant ma- terial quickly, assess its merits, and draw out key messages and implications for policy and practice • Strong all-round communica- tion skills • Proficiency at using the Inter- net for research • A good level of general com- puter literacy and the ability to pick up new ICT tools (for example Web 2.0 applications) and use them effectively • Negotiation skills and the abil- ity to manage client expecta- tions • Excellent interpersonal skills • Excellent presentation skills

Experience • Experience of working or • Experience of working with • Application • Interview research in a developing or international donors • Application transition country • Interview • Experience of working in an development or humanitarian research role • A portfolio of work relevant to the work and themes of the digital cluster • Experience of undertaking literature reviews, evidence syntheses, semi-structured interviews, and data analysis involving multiple data sources and types • Experience of qualitative and / or quantitative research meth- odsAttributes, • Ability to work in a fast-paced • Capacity to work across cul-Health, other environment and meet frequent tural / institutional barriers strict deadlines • Ability to prioritise, manage and deliver a range of conflict- ing immediate and longer term priorities • Flexibility • Ability to plan and work on your own initiative, taking responsibility for areas of work in a proactive and independent manner • Attention to detail and pride in presentation and communica- tion • Demonstrable ability to thrive on team-working • Ability to travel to meetings and other events within the UK and internationally

Information to CandidatesBenefitsAt IDS we offer a number of additional benefits to staff. These include:• a competitive salary, including cost of living awards and incremental increases on an annual basis as per policy and the option to join our pension scheme. Please see www.uss.co.uk for more details• interest free travel loans, following successful completion of a probationary period• support in attainment of a relevant professional qualification in line with the Professional Development Policy• childcare voucher scheme and childcare fund• competitive maternity and paternity policies that offer compensation above the statutory minimum• 24 days annual leave per year (pro-rata for part-time), plus public holidays and up to 6 non- negotiable closure days• enhanced sickness pay entitlements• support with relocation costs for staff joining us from outside the EU• eligibility to use the University of Sussex gym and sporting facilities at staff ratesLocationThe successful candidate will be based at the Institute of Development Studies on the Universityof Sussex campus. The University of Sussex is located 10 minutes away from the lively andcosmopolitan seaside city of Brighton on the UK South Coast, 60 minutes away from centralLondon, 30 minutes away from London Gatwick Airport and is surrounded by the beautifulcountryside of the Sussex South Downs. Situated between the sea and the South Downs, Brightonis one of the most vibrant and unique cities on the South Coast, for more information please go tohttp://www.visitbrighton.com/How to applyApplications on official form only (CVs are not accepted):Human ResourcesInstitute of Development StudiesBrightonBN1 9RE, UKAlternatively please email your application to [email protected] please insert the job title and referencenumber into the subject line of the email. We would recommend that electronic applications aresent 24 hours in advance of the deadline, to ensure there are no technical difficulties.Owing to the large number of enquiries received and consequential processing/postage costs,regretfully, it is not possible to enter into further correspondence with all applicants. Therefore,if you do not receive any communications by the interview date, please assume that, on thisoccasion, your application has not been successful.

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