partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and
with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.
We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D.
R4D is seeking a Operations & Data Program Associate who will support the rapidly expanding portfolio of the Scaling Innovation practice.
About the Scaling Innovation practice
We believe innovation is a catalyst for creating more impactful and equitable health, education and nutrition systems. In partnership with change agents – innovators as well as country-level ecosystem and global innovation actors – we facilitate the scale-up of innovations and the strengthening of innovation ecosystems. To support these two focus areas, we play three key roles: (1) as a knowledge builder we co-create innovation
knowledge products, tools, and frameworks promoting equitable and inclusive innovation practice. (2) As a connector, we connect different actors for country-led collaboration and
capacity development. (3) As a supporter, we provide direct innovation support in response to demand from innovators and country-level ecosystem actors. In delivering this work, we are always bringing in innovative tools, approaches and ways of working.
Three of our highly respected global innovation initiatives are: the International Development Innovation Alliance, a platform bringing together
senior leadership from the innovation teams of leading development agencies; the FDCO-funded Frontier Technologies programme, testing the application of new technologies against different development challenges; and the Global Innovation Exchange, the world’s largest database of development innovations.
Opportunity
As an integral member of the Innovation Team, the Operations & Data Program Associate will work closely with team leads to support operational excellence of the Innovation portfolio. The practice is at an exciting juncture of rapid growth and the team has been working over the past years to improve strategic budgeting and
resource management,
program management and
quality control, and a team-building and
human resources strategy.
We are seeking an entrepreneurial, strategic, and highly organized individual to help us take this work forward during an exciting juncture of rapid growth within our portfolio. Experience supporting the operations and
data management functions across multiple programs would be essential along with the ability to set up and build commitment within the team for excellent
project management practices. Strong verbal and written communication skills, meticulous dedication to being and keeping others organized, and an ability to think creatively and proactively within a highly collaborative team environment are also very important.
This position will report to the Finance &
Operations Officer.
Responsibilities
- Participate in the preparation, collection, and analysis of large external quantitative and qualitative datasets to ensure accurate analysis, report generation, and communication
- Work with different kinds of data and knowledge generated across the portfolio to enable cross-programme synthesis and communication of learning
- Support the establishment and execution of contracts for Innovation projects and other operational aspects of the practice, including team recruitment, consultant and supplier procurement and invoicing requests.
- Support practice-level project management and certain program-level project management (e.g., facilitate the creation and maintenance of project work plans and trackers)
- Work with project teams to support event and meeting coordination (e.g., speaker research, vendor selection, scheduling and event-day coordination)
- Contribute to funder reporting processes, including working with different members of the team to ensure the timely submission of quality financial and narrative reports
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and 1 year of relevant experience
- Experience developing and maintaining excellent systems such as for project management , tracking and managing resources, event coordination, and/or supporting recruitment efforts required
- Excellent analytical skills and experience with data analyses in Excel
- High level of organization, attention to detail, professionalism, and reliability
- Highly collaborative and approachable team member who is enthusiastic about supporting the Innovation team and working closely with others at R4D
- Excellent oral and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complicated and detailed data to team leads
- Ability to prioritize and manage work in a fast-paced environment across multiple projects and work streams with competing time/resource demands
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Energy, good judgement, and humour
- Experience working with international donor funding highly desirable
