Research Fellow

**Description**:
**Programme : Development and Public Finance**

**Purpose of Job**

To develop, fundraise for, conduct and manage high-quality and innovative research, policy advice and public affairs programmes, and contribute to ODI Global’s wider strategy goals on development finance with the aim of inspiring, informing and influencing policy.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**:
**Research and Funding**
- Undertake and deliver high-quality, relevant and influential research for publication and undertake related advisory work.
- Develop new concepts and ideas to extend intellectual understanding and inform policy.
- Monitor and analyse wider developments in the external environment and support the dissemination of this analysis and thinking as part of ODI Global’s public affairs.
- Develop research proposals, expressions of interest and full project proposals.
- Seek external funding for research proposals both to sustain the RF’s own professional activities and to contribute to the Institute's costs and to meet individual and collective financial targets.
- Contribute to the development and management of the annual plans and medium and long term strategies of relevant research groups and programmes.
- Undertake frequent travel overseas for research related purposes.

**Project Management**
- Take responsibility for the technical delivery, administrative and financial management of research, advisory and public affairs activities.
- Manage the work of staff working on the RF’s own projects and other project team members, including ROs and associates as appropriate.
- Liaise with and report to donors, manage budgets and consultants and the inputs of other project partners
- Undertake general oversight of the work programme of particular ROs, as assigned by the Director of Programmes.

**Policy Advice, Public Affairs, and Dissemination**
- Author research reports, policy briefs and other documents for publication
- Carry out public affairs work, disseminating ideas and knowledge through effective channels with the aim of informing policy.
- Respond to ad hoc media requests in area of specialization.
- Sit on advisory committees for other research and advisory work, within and outside ODI Global.
- Use and build relevant networks and support the development, reach and influence of ODI Global.

**Line management**
- Recruit, induct, develop, and support directly managed staff.
- Review resource needs and implement strategies to meet changing workloads of direct line reports.
- Conduct appraisals, set appropriate objectives monitor and manage performance against these.

**Collegiate life**
- Contribute to the Institute’s collegiate life through:

- ODI Global series such as the Working Papers, Research Studies, Briefing Papers, blogs and journals
- ODI Global activities such as discussion groups, lunchtime meetings, staff meetings, working groups, interviews, external representation
- Peer review and guidance to colleagues and/or other Group outputs
- Provide intellectual mentoring for less experienced research staff and support them as they begin to lead projects of their own

**Person Specification**

**Essential**

**Research Fellow**

Posts representing the initial appointment as Research Fellow, require substantial research or equivalent experience, a record of publication and public affairs, and clear evidence of successful development, management and funding of a number of projects brought to a satisfactory conclusion.

**Knowledge and Qualifications**
- A degree and post-graduate qualification in Economics, Finance, Accounting, Sustainable Development or other relevant discipline.
- A strong demonstratable understanding of private finance for sustainable development in emerging markets and developing economies and/or a strong understanding of development banks, development finance institutions and their role in private capital mobilization.
- Fluency in English, and preferably a good command of at least one other language.

**Experience**

Experience in policy-oriented research, demonstrated by a track record of publications and reports. Experience working with policy-makers

**Skills/Abilities**
- Strong analytical skills with a proven ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data.
- A capacity to write clearly and persuasively, and oral communication skills
- A demonstrated capacity for policy advisory or public-affairs work, based on an analytical approach, and an innovative and creative communications ability.
- Project management skills with proven organisational and time management skills, including the management of a complex and varied workload.
- Ability to translate research ideas into fundable projects
- Excellent communication abilities in relation to a wide variety of audiences Skills in negotiation, listening, communication of ideas, problem solving, decision making
- Ability to work as part of a team, providing both management and mentoring of junior staff.

**Desirable**
- Ex