COVID-19 : Selon l’évolution de la situation, il se peut que le candidat sélectionné doive commencer son poste virtuellement et il devra être prêt à travailler en personne dans nos bureaux lorsque cela sera autorisé. La politique du CRDI sur la vaccination contre le COVID-19 exige que tous les employés soient entièrement vaccinés contre le COVID-19 et qu’ils attestent de leur état vaccinal avant de commencer à travailler, à moins que des mesures d’adaptation ne soient prises en raison d’une contre-indication médicale, de la religion ou d’un autre motif de discrimination interdit par la Loi canadienne sur les droits de la personne.
Job Overview
The IDRC’s Education and Science Program supports research to ensure children and youth from vulnerable populations are in school and benefit from high-quality education. We also support women’s leadership in strong science systems that produce knowledge and innovation and improve lives.
This position will focus on strengthening science and innovation systems through the Science Granting Councils Initiative in sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI). Since 2015 in collaboration with the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF), the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Sweden’s International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the German Research Foundation (DFG), and most recently the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), SGCI has supported Science Granting Councils in 16 countries to strengthen their role in building national science systems that promote research for development in sub-Saharan Africa.
More specifically, SGCI is focussing on Councils’ capacities to: (i) manage research, (ii) use data and evidence for policy and decision-making, (iii) manage research competitions for impact and development, iv) promote networking among themselves and with other science system actors, and to promote strategic communication and knowledge uptake across private and social as well as public sectors and (v) mainstream gender and inclusivity in grant making and research.
As the Program Officer, you will report directly to the Program Director of the Education and Science Division based in Ottawa and indirectly to the Regional Director of IDRC’s Central and West Africa Regional Office. You will develop:
- support, and monitor a variety of research and capacity strengthening activities on science and innovation systems under SGCI which include:
- contributing to the identification of critical research and capacity issues, researchers and strategic partners, developing projects according to the SGCI strategy, and providing technical advice and guidance;
- collaborating with SGCI participating Councils, other SGCI grantees, consultants, and advisors to strengthen methodologies and analytical skills; forge linkages with other IDRC research programs; and encourage and support dissemination of research findings;
- monitoring project performance by providing feedback, guidance, and information to recipients to improve performance and enhance the uptake and application of research findings;
- promoting quality assurance of the SGCI-funded research and capacity strengthening activities including ethics, gender equality, equity and inclusion;
- supporting research uptake for impact at scale by developing knowledge of relevant policies and processes for research uptake across sectors nationally and regionally and facilitating the development of policies and innovations;
- developing strategic relationships and partnerships including innovative approaches for private sector engagement in programming.
Candidate Profile
Education
- Master’s degree and a record of research and publication in a relevant discipline (science or technology policy, education, or a STEM discipline)
- PhD and a record of research and publication in a relevant discipline is an asset
Experience
This position requires a minimum of three years’ relevant experience in low- and middle-income regions, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, which includes:
- managing research including technical and financial aspects, monitoring and evaluation of research performance and reporting or leading and conducting research projects involving multiple stakeholders;
- collaborating with researchers, decision-makers, and policy actors to identify research needs and facilitate research uptake for influencing policy and practice;
- communicating research and results to a variety of audiences;
- developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with a range of different stakeholders including with science granting councils, innovation agencies and private sectors actors (the latter is an asset);
- supporting governments and partners in strategic design implementation of technical support to governments to develop and large scale multi-stakeholder programmes;
- developing partnerships with development organizations including multilaterals, research organizations, funding agencies and end-users is an asset.
Language requirements
- English and French intermediate reading, writing and speaking skills
- Knowledge of Portuguese is an asset
Knowledge
- Sound knowledge of current debates and research agendas on science and innovation systems in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Understanding of research capacity development and policy challenges in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Sound understanding of research-policy linkages and how to move research into action
- Knowledge of research funding mechanisms, including from similar international development organizations and the private sector.
Competencies
- Value and model diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written (e.g. reports, policy briefs, and briefing notes) and spoken
- Solid analytical and writing skills
- Strong planning, organization, problem-solving, coordination and negotiation skills
- Initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to work under pressure
- Ability to establish, manage, guide, and monitor relationships with diverse stakeholders
- Ability to work in a collaborative manner with multidisciplinary team of people from diverse cultures, expertise, and experiences
- Ability to effectively represent IDRC externally
Additional Information
As a result of this process, the Centre may establish a pool of pre-qualified candidates for future permanent and term opportunities.
This is a term position starting 1 April 2022 ending 27 March 2026. It is based in IDRC’s Central and West Africa regional office located in Dakar. The selected candidate will receive an offer which is conditional on the obtention and maintenance of a valid work permit and visa (if applicable) which is required to legally work in Dakar, Senegal.
It requires a willingness to travel, mainly within the sub-Saharan Africa, for an average of 60-90 days per year. Currently, however, official travel by IDRC staff is limited given the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information on primary duties and responsibilities, view Job Details.
