Global Research & Organisational Learning Advisor - Maternity cover

Concern Worldwide; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Concern Worldwide invites applications for an Adviser in the Strategy, Advocacy and Learning Department (SAL). This fixed-term 9-month role in Dublin 2 supports organisational learning through managing research portfolios and coordinating with external researchers and country programmes.

The role requires a postgraduate research degree, NGO experience, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a flexible, hybrid environment.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate research-based degree in development studies or a related field.
• NGO/development agency experience, ideally in emergency or fragile states.
• Experience with community-driven research approaches and tools.
• Strong written English; may be requested as part of interview.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development and day-to-day management of Concern’s research portfolio.
• Secretariat support to the research committee and manage research approvals.
• Maintain a database of research and identify research partners.
• Negotiate contracts with research institutions.
• Support country teams in establishing research projects.
• Review research reports and plan dissemination of findings.
• Assist in finalising and operationalising the organisational Research Policy.
• Support knowledge creation and transfer with MEL and Learning teams.

Skills

Strong written English

Analytical skills

Research skills

Inter-personal skills

Project management

Team collaboration

Adaptability

French language skills desirable

Education

Postgraduate research-based degree

Job description

Reports to: Director, Technical Assistance SAL

Terms: Fixed Term 9 months role

Location: Dublin 2, 50% Hybrid

Travel Requirements: Potential for some occasional travel

About Concern: Established in 1968, Concern Worldwide is an international, humanitarian, non-governmental organisation dedicated to the elimination of extreme poverty and the reduction of human suffering, primarily in fragile countries.

The Strategy Advocacy and Learning Department (SAL) supports the whole organisation in developing and setting strategy and supporting implementation of the same, assuring programme impact, supporting advocacy and influencing and facilitating and driving organisational learning. The Technical Assistance (TA) Unit provides direct assistance to Country Programmes and comprises over 30 advisors who support ongoing learning, programme quality and capacity development.

Role Purpose: The Adviser works with others in the Technical Unit to support organisational learning, in particular across the two areas of knowledge creation and knowledge sharing. This is a pivotal role in the management of Concern’s substantial research portfolio and includes working closely with external researchers and institutions, with country programmes undertaking research and coordinating and engaging across the organisation. The role is tasked with supporting processes related to reflection and learning from Concern’s programmes including meta-reviews of programme policies, the annual reporting process and the development of other learning products based on research or programme results or data.

Responsibilities:

• In coordination with the Head of Technical Support, key Technical Advisors and the International Programmes team, oversee the development, coordination and day to day management of Concern’s research portfolio, including:
• secretariat function to the research committee and support for research approvals;
• maintaining a database of research;
• contributing to the identification of research partners,
• negotiation of contracts with research institutions,
• support to country teams in establishing research projects,
• review of research reports and outputs,
• planning for and supporting the dissemination of the research findings.
• Support the finalisation and operationalisation of an organisational Research Policy
• With the MEL team and in coordination with the Global Officer Programme Knowledge & Learning, support in knowledge creation and knowledge transfer, sharing and learning.
• Support a review of the Annual Programme Progress Report (APPR) process based on the new global strategic plan. Produce the 2026 APPR to optimise internal learning, to provide an insight into progress against programme strategies and for submission to Concern’s Senior Management and Board. Support the Country Annual Programme Review process.
• Support the production of Meta Evaluations to assess programme progress against policy and strategy, develop and implement learning and priority actions and for submission to Concern’s Board.
• Support the coordination and completion of research projects undertaken by Masters’ Students
• Support additional documentation and cross-organisational learning needs.
• Contribute to cross-sectoral work and support to country programmes including undertaking context analysis, strategy development or evaluations in conjunction with other advisers.
• Promote a locally led approach both through programme design and implementation and engagement with local actors.
• All staff are responsible for upholding and promoting Concern’s values, including our workplace equality, diversity and inclusion, and safeguarding values.
• All staff are required to participate and contribute as necessary towards Concern’s emergency response as and when required.
• Any other tasks as agreed with the Director of the Technical Assistance Team in SAL.

Role Holder Requirements:

• A postgraduate research-based degree in a multi-disciplinary field, such as Development Studies or in a specific technical area that Concern works in (food security, health, education).
• Experience working in an NGO or development agency ideally with demonstrable experience working in emergency, conflict settings, or fragile states.
• Practical understanding of community driven research approaches, methodologies and tools.
• Strong written English skills (an example of which may be requested as part of the interview process).
• Strong analytical and research skills, essential demonstrated experience in mixed methods research. Experience commissioning and managing research projects is desirable.
• Excellent inter-personal skills with demonstrable experience in supporting processes of coordination and collaboration.
• Strong project management and analytical skills.
• Empathy with the organizational goals of Concern.
• Strong digital skills regarding formatting and presentation materials are desirable.
• Ability to work both as part of a team and independently.
• Adaptable to evolving work priorities and schedules.
• French language skills are desirable.