Research Lead At Terre des Hommes Netherlands

About the job

Duty Station: to be based in one of our regional offices (Nairobi, Phnom Penh, or The Hague)

Deadline for Applications: 10 July 2023, 5pm CET

Starting Date: As soon as possible

Contract Type: Full time

Job Level: 12

Salary Range: Euro 4323,68 – 5717,81 gross per month, full time (based on Netherlands rates, location adjustment will apply) Please note that currently the TdH Netherlands salary structure is under revision, so the salaries in this post may be subject to change in the future.

Permit: Please note that candidates must have the right to live and work in the country where the role is advertised.

Terre des Hommes

Terre des Hommes Netherlands is part of the International Federation of Terre des Hommes organisations, a strategic partnership of member organisations sharing the same brand name and core values for joint lobby and advocacy around children’s rights. Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) protects children by preventing and stopping child exploitation, and by empowering children to make their voices count. Our work is grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and seeks to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Under our new Global Strategy (2023 – 2030), TdH NL is redefining and refining our role as a child rights organisation, with the strategic ambition that “by 2030, Terre des Hommes Netherlands is a catalyst for systemic change to stop child exploitation. We do this by empowering children and their communities, connecting them with those who have power to enact change, and utilising our knowledge and expertise to co-create sustainable, evidence-based solutions.”

TdH Netherlands is led by a three-headed Executive Team: the Managing Director, the Director of Operations and the Director of Programmes.

The values of TdH Netherlands are: Responsible, Bold, Human-Centred and Playful.

The organisation’s core principles are: (1) Children at the Centre, (2) Intersectionality and Power Awareness, (3) Safety and Wellbeing, (4) Sustainability, and (5) Meaningful and Strategic Partnerships.

In line with our new strategy, TdH NL is in the process of establishing four Global Programmes under which our portfolio of humanitarian and development projects and programmes will be managed. These are: 1. Worst Forms of Child Labour, 2. Sexual Exploitation of Children, 3. Humanitarian Action, and 4. Child Trafficking and Migration. Our programmatic work is supported by two cross-programmatic units: Programme Development and Quality (PDQ), and Research, Expertise and Influencing (REI). Aligned to our new strategy, and based on many years of experience as a child rights organisation, we aim to consolidate our expertise and programme management, informed by research, to bring about sustainable and systemic change in the lives of children, and to hold duty bearers accountable.

Purpose of the role

Responsible for delivering on TdH NL’s strategic research objectives. Build and share knowledge, generate and communicate new insight, share expertise and methods that work and influence systemic change.

Position in the organisation

The Research Lead reports to the Head of REI and has two direct reports, however, will also be accountable for managing multiple contacted research teams to complete research commissioned by TdH NL.

Result areas & Core activities

• Manage research team and contractors;
• Collaborate closely with Child Participation and Influencing Leads, Global Heads of Programmes and teams and teams and partners in regions and countries where TdH NL works;
• Implement multi-country research studies that include child participation;
• Facilitate research uptake for influencing;
• Develop of academic links and influence;
• Support post-graduate learning and research among staff and partner staff;
• Represent TdH NL as an expert.

About you

Required knowledge and experience:

• In possession of a PhD;
• Academic expertise in a relevant research area, ideally child exploitation (SEC, WFCL or CTUM);
• In addition to academic roles, must have at least 5 years experience in roles requiring management of people;
• Strong and relevant track record of publication;
• Ideally with experience of conducting research with children, including especially vulnerable groups of children;
• Mixed methods social sciences background preferred;
• Experience of curriculum development, teaching and research supervision desirable;
• Working knowledge of children’s rights and intersectionality frameworks;
• Competence in safeguarding children in research.

Competences:

• Research project management;
• Safe and ethical research design;
• Ability to balance academic rigour with an understanding of development and child protection in LMICs and humanitarian emergency settings. Must inspire critical enquiry and encourage practitioners to engage with empirical research;
• Manage research budgets;
• Support research grant proposals;
• Cultural literacy;
• Data management and analysis software;
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in English.