Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Main purpose of job:

The Research & Evidence Directorate (RED) leads FCDO’s global science and research portfolio, which is critical for the UK’s future prosperity, security and standing in the world. It plays an important role in the delivery of the Prime Minister’s ambition for the UK to continue to be a major international power in science, technology and research and rebuild its international development leadership as set out in the Integrated Review. RED is a global leader and influential investor in science, technology, and innovation. It delivers strong technical, science and analytical functions in support of strategic and operational decision-making, quality assurance and internal challenge. The range of expertise within RED makes it an exciting and intellectually stimulating place to work.

This post will sit within the South and Southeast Asia Research Hub (SARH) under RED’s Global Science Department (GSD) and will be located in the British High Commission in Delhi. SARH produces research, evidence, and analysis to enable data and evidence driven decision-making to improve the effectiveness and impact of FCDO in the region; develops strategic science and technology partnerships; facilitates research and innovation collaboration between the UK and India; and amplifies, connects, and leverages RED’s R&D investments to enhance development and diplomatic impact.

At an operational level, SARH (a) commissions research and evidence products for teams within the region that are implementing FCDO’s bilateral programmes (b) provides technical support to country teams by preparing rapid evidence reviews, signposting them to internal and external sources of evidence and advising on approaches and methodologies for evidence and learning products that may be commissioned by the Posts themselves, and (c)  advises on collaborations between UK and international research institutions, to tackle pressing global issues. At this time, SARH’s geographical remit includes Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Timor-Leste.

The current role provides an excellent opportunity to those with analytical backgrounds to broaden and deepen their skillsets, and a chance to build analytical skills in several areas including rigorous evidence synthesis and assessment of research impacts. The role also offers a chance to build critical soft skills including effective relationship management across multiple stakeholders, building strong networks in a large, international organisation, and managing delivery-client engagement. The post holder is also provided the opportunity to autonomously manage research projects, working with leading global experts.

The job holder will work on important global topics, ranging from climate change to public diplomacy. He/she will work collaboratively with four other regional hubs based in Africa and in London.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

The job holder will be responsible for:

Commissioning and management of research focused on foreign policy, development, diplomacy and international influencing to inform internal decision-making across South and Southeast Asia. This will involve:

• Developing research concepts, leading to design of Terms of Reference (ToRs) based on evidence requests from FCDO colleagues in Posts within’s SARH’s geographical remit: The job holder will be expected to develop 4 – 6 ToRs in a year and participate in evaluation of proposals received in response to these. Deep engagement and collaboration with Posts will be required to assess the nature/ validity/ feasibility of the evidence demand(s), identify gaps based on an assessment of current evidence, develop specific research questions based on such gap identification and propose a suitable approach/ methodology to answer the research questions.
• Managing research projects delivered by external research teams, ensuring that outputs meet the needs of users and are delivered on time and within budget.

Supporting the use of research evidence among FCDO decision makers working on foreign policy, development, diplomacy and international influencing. This will involve:

• Supporting Posts to access evidence for programmatic and strategic work – through development of rapid evidence summaries, literature reviews, policy notes or other similar products. The post holder will be expected to develop 3 -4 in-house evidence products per year.

Supporting the monitoring and evaluation of projects under Evidence Fund – GSD’s largest programme for commissioning demand-driven primary and secondary research. This will involve:

• Gathering evidence of the use of the research commissioned through the Evidence Fund
• Close engagement with research providers and Posts to design and implement effective outreach strategies, inlcuding the development of communication products – to maximise uptake and use of the commissioned research.

Cross-team working: This will involve working with the UK Hub and other regional Hubs to ensure coherence of research findings across regions / globally, and draw from / inform evidence products developed or commissioned by other teams, where relevant .  This may involve working with the the Evidence Fund’s Fund Manager to support cross-learning across specific elements of the Evidence Fund portfolio.

The post holder with work closely with Research Specialists and Advisers in SARH across all the tasks above to implement the SARH evidence offer across the geographical remit of the team.

Language requirements

Language: English
Level of language required: Proficiency.

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):

This is a Programme Funded Post under the Evidence Fund, based in the British High Commission, New Delhi.  The appointment will be on a fixed-term contract for a period of two years.

To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate these behaviours, including through your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which provides detailed guidance on how the behaviours are defined and the standards expected for this position.

Please go through the technical competency framework before completing the technical questions: FCDO technical competency frameworks – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please use the STAR method to describe your example (for guidance : A brief guide to competencies – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Essential on arrival:

• A Postgraduate degree in a discipline related to FCDO’s strategic priorities with at least 5 years of post-qualification experience in a research or policy setting
• An analytical background and ability to understand and use research from a range of fields, particularly the social sciences
• Strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and actual experience of conducting and/or commissioning research in one or more areas related to FCDO priorities
• Prior experience of working on research-policy translation, such as through development of policy notes, engagement with policymakers in workshops or otherwise engaging in the policy space
• Strong communication skills (written, spoken) in English and the ability to develop research TORs and rapid evidence pieces within tight timelines
• Proficiency in the use of Powerpoint, Word, Excel and web-based search tools
• Strong networking and interpersonal skills, and the ability to convene/ design dialogues among researchers and policymakers