Research and Evidence Animator At Christian Aid

This role is being offered as a 6-month fixed-term contract. The role is open to applicants interested in a full-time or part-time role.

About us

Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality and justice worldwide. We are the changemakers, the peacemakers, the mighty of heart.

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and recognise the value this brings in forming strong, creative and high performing teams. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, and from those with experience from outside of the voluntary sector. And no, you don’t have to be Christian to work here – we encourage people of all faiths and none to apply. We just ask that everyone lives out our values of dignity, equality, justice and love. We value a good work-life balance, so we’re open to part-time and flexible working. We also offer hybrid working for our office-based colleagues and the option of being a homeworker for most of our roles too.

Learn about our vision, mission and values

About the role

In 2016 we set up a Research, Evidence and Learning (REL) hub which sits in the Programme Policy, Research and Learning team (PPRL), one of three teams that make up Christian Aid’s Policy, Public Affairs and Campaign Department. PPRL exists to generate and provide thought leadership to the organisation; offer research and sector-based expertise to support practice across our global programmes, and to enhance the links between national programme delivery and learning; and global policy analysis and understanding.

The REL teams remit is to shift power in research by:

• Enabling and strengthening the generation and use of research, evidence and learning in Christian Aid that is informed and led by those living in poverty.
• Promoting what we call ‘knowledge justice’ (epistemic justice) and centralising the voice of the communities CA is working with in our programmes, policies and practices, and the development sector more widely, to bring about social, systemic and individual transformation for people living in poverty.

This role is about bringing Christian Aid’s evidence and learning to life through the way it is used and applied in different contexts. Given the current short-term nature of the role, the successful applicant will:

1. Work with the REL team to package a series on diverse research methods aimed at shifting power in research.

2. Produce a Train-the-Trainer module to support the delivery of the diverse research methods programme of work

3. Identify and write up case studies of research impact

4. Facilitate learning events, as required.

5. Play a critical role integrating research, evidence and learning into the new MCC model.

Alongside key projects REL advisers also play a role in responding to diverse technical support requests from colleagues across Christian Aid. This could include advice on research design; partnership development and brokering with universities; critical engagement with a research funding proposal; and feedback on the quality of evidence generated through a review process. All REL team members are committed to reflective practice and are encouraged to capture reflections from experience of strengthening research and evidence processes within Christian Aid, for sharing with internal and external audiences; contributing to wider learning on research partnerships; and promoting good practice in applied research both within Christian Aid and the broader sector.

About you

You will have excellent understanding of learning design including knowledge of online pedagogy. You will have had direct experience in developing blended and online research methods training and ability to manage and deliver digital learning. You will be familiar with applied research at every stage of the research cycle – from identifying relevant research questions, designing appropriate methodologies, to developing strategies for real-world impact – as well as the role of research and evaluation in relation to the programme management cycle. You will enjoy finding creative and innovate ways to bring learning to life and be aligned with REL’s commitment to shift power in research. Ideally, you will have interested in AI and how it can be used in developing research practice.

You will enjoy working in a practice setting, strengthening the capacity of others to produce high quality evidence and develop and deliver research. You will be confident in managing your own projects while also offering advice and accompaniment to others in their research and learning activities. You will be comfortable engaging with academics and development/ humanitarian practitioners, and you will have had experience of working with colleagues across the globe.

Equally important will be your interpersonal skills, your ability to build strong relationships and work across different departments, and help colleagues to reflect and learn, make sharper decisions and achieve better results. You will have a good appreciation of the diversity of cultures, workstyles and perspectives that exist. You will be organised and good at managing your own workload and competing priorities.

Further information

At Christian Aid we strive to be an inclusive and diverse employer and recognise the value that this brings in helping to build strong, creative and high performing teams.

We are actively encouraging racialised minorities, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people with caring responsibilities, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, women, and older workers to apply. This is because these groups are under-represented within our teams, especially at senior level, and we recognise and value the contributions members of these groups make to strong, creative and high performing teams. To discuss this role in greater detail, please contact cbollaert@christian-aid.org

We have a strong Christian ethos and we encourage applications from all faiths and none (with the exception of Director positions where there is a genuine occupational requirement to be a practicing Christian – Exempted under the Equality Act 2010).

All successful candidates will require a DBS/police check appropriate to the role and location and a Counter Terrorism Sanction check as part of your clearance for commencing your role with us. We also participate in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information as part of the referencing process from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

This role requires applicants to have the right to live and work in the country where this position is based and undertake the role that you have been offered. If you are successful and we make you an offer for the role, we will be required to conduct a right to work check on your immigration status in the UK. We will contact you regarding the documentation you will need to provide to evidence this.

You can expect a wide range of rewards and benefits, including a generous holiday allowance, a season ticket loan, and flexibility that will ensure you enjoy a good work/life balance.