What You'll Do:
Drive Research Excellence & Strategic Alignment
Translate organizational priorities into research plans; set and enforce quality standards for all outputs
Integrate product research (UX/UI, HCD) into product development lifecycles; ensure insights translate directly into product decisions
Design and execute more traditional research methodologies, such as RCTs and implementation research, applying them to tech innovations that are operating at scale
Maintain high speed of learning by optimizing research processes; balance methodological rigor with rapid innovation
Lead Knowledge Generation & Influence
Oversee production of strategic knowledge products that position Jacaranda as a research leader
Represent Jacaranda at national and international forums; influence policy and practice through evidence
Build strategic partnerships with academic institutions, donors and government stakeholders
Build Team Capability & Drive Performance
Coach Research Managers and other team members to deliver consistently high-quality technical outputs and strategic thinking
Set clear performance expectations; hold team accountable; address performance gaps decisively
Foster a performance-driven culture that values rigor, innovation, speed, and accountability
Manage Research Operations & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Manage departmental budgets, timelines, and resource allocation; ensure projects delivered on time, within budget, to scope
Collaborate with Programs, Product, Data & Analytics teams to integrate research into organizational planning cycles
Implement structured planning tools that enable cross-departmental coordination
Who you are:
What you bring
9-10 years research experience; 5+ years in senior research or leadership roles managing teams and complex portfolios
Master's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Statistics, Social Sciences, or related field
Deep technical expertise in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research; proficiency in Stata, R, SPSS, SAS, NVivo, or similar
Strong understanding of product-focused research (UX/UI, human-centered design) and product development lifecycles
Track record publishing research outputs and presenting at global forums; experience leading donor, government, and academic partnerships
Strong management and accountability