Senior Research Manager (International)

National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER); Slough; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Leave: 42 days per year

Pension contributions: 10% employer

Family support: enhanced leave and car

Flexible working: Hybrid office setup

Job summary

National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) in Berkshire is seeking a Senior Research Manager (International) to lead international assessment work within the Centre for Assessment. The role focuses on Global South projects while occasionally supporting UK and Global North initiatives.

You will develop methodologies, oversee design and implementation, manage budgets and risks, and build stakeholder relationships to secure new contracts and deliver high-quality results for education

Qualifications

• Strong project and budget management experience.
• Proven ability to develop competitive bids and costings.
• Experience delivering international assessment contracts and capacity-building activities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, able to present complex analyses clearly.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain client relationships to build external profile and funding opportunities.
• Lead proposals and bids for international assessment projects with costings and technical responses.
• Manage international assessment projects from design to delivery, including data analysis and reporting.
• Oversee capacity building activities and risk management across projects.
• Engage with governments and funding agencies as required.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Proposal development

Stakeholder engagement

Communications (report writing)

Job description

Job Reference

75.26

Location

Berkshire - Hybrid

Function

International Development

Salary

£51,000 - £57,000

Status

Full Time

Job Type

Permanent

Hours Of Work

35

Shape the future: join us as a Senior Research Manager (International) at NFER. Are you passionate about strengthening education systems around the world? We're seeking an enthusiastic Senior Research Manager (International) to join our Centre for Assessment team and drive impactful international assessment work. With a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the chance to work with a globally respected charity, this is your opportunity to make a lasting difference.

Salary: £51,000 - £57,000 per annum (non-negotiable)

Benefits

• Annual Leave: Enjoy 42 days off each year: 30 days' annual leave, 4 paid closure days and 8 bank holidays.
• Pension Contributions: 10% employer contributions
• Family Support: Enhanced maternity/parental leave and paid compassionate leave
• Flexible Working: Hybrid setup with our office at The Mere, Upton, with easy access to Windsor, Maidenhead, Reading, the Elizabeth Line and the M4. Full-time (35 hours).

JOB DESCIPTION

As a Senior Research Manager (International), you’ll play a pivotal role in in supporting NFER’s international assessment work. You’ll predominately focus on assessment projects in the Global South, although will occasionally be expected to work on UK and Global North projects if necessary. You will develop project methodologies and plans; oversee assessment design and implementation; organise and deliver capacity building activities; oversee data analysis, reporting and results dissemination and resource and risk management. You’ll also be responsible for leading on assessment projects and bids for new contracts, developing innovative solutions for meeting a range of clients’ needs and budgets.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, partner organisations, associates across the education and development sector to build NFER’s external profile and reputation and nurture potential new funding collaborations
• Lead high-quality proposals in response to tenders and negotiated opportunities for international assessment projects; including costings and technical responses.
• Lead international assessment projects (mainly in Global South countries), ensuring quality and timely delivery across the full project cycle.
• Lead projects requiring assessment development and psychometric analysis, ensuring effective communication of technical concepts and findings to clients and stakeholders.
• Engage directly with governments, funding agencies and other external stakeholders.

This role will involve international travel as needed based on project and stakeholder engagement requirements. International travel is typically expected to be 3 trips per year, subject to project requirements.

Some flexibility in working hours is required to accommodate international client meetings and project needs.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential skills and experience

• Strong project and budget management and organisational skills.
• Demonstrated ability in the development of competitive bids, including developing costings.
• Experience in the delivery of assessment contracts and projects and capacity building training to governments or key stakeholders in Global South countries.
• Demonstrated experience of assessment development and implementation.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, and able to write compelling easy to read reports based on complex analyses for a variety of purposes and audiences.

Other roles you may have experience of include: International education specialist, International Assessment Lead or International Research Manager.

WHY NFER?

• At NFER, we are recognised globally for providing trusted research, resources and insights that drive meaningful change. By joining us, you’ll contribute to a mission that prioritises impact over profit, working in an environment where collaboration, flexibility, and inclusion are valued.
• A supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career.
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance from day 1.
• The chance to make a real difference in the education sector.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, and are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any adjustments, alternative document formats or accommodations at any stage, please do not hesitate to contact us at [e-mail]. Further details can also be found in the Job Information Pack.