Research Assistant, Disability Inclusion and Assistive Technology

About GDI Hub

Global Disability Innovation (GDI) Hub accelerates ideas into impact for a more just world - for disabled people, and all people.

We are a world leading delivery and practice centre, an Academic Research Centre at UCL (University College London) and the first WHO Global Collaborating Centre on Assistive Technology (AT). As an Academic Research Centre and a Community Interest Company, our diverse portfolio and unique set up enables rapid translation of research into practice. GDI Hub is also home to the UK aid funded AT2030 programme which tests ‘what works’ to improve access to life-changing Assistive Technology (AT) for all.

Launched in 2016 as a legacy of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, our office and research lab continue to be based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, at UCL’s East London campus. We work in 40+ countries, with a reach of more than 34 million people since 2016, GDI Hub develops homegrown technologies alongside new knowledge and research. In collaboration with global partners we deliver accelerators and market shaping initiatives - building ecosystems with a focus on low-and middle-income countries.

Role Purpose

GDI Hub are looking for a Research Assistant to support the team across its portfolio of projects with a diversity of clients, partners and stakeholders.

The Research Assistant role sits within GDI Hub’s Community Interest Company’s Research and Delivery Team, led by Mikaela Patrick, Head of Research and Delivery.

For a portfolio of clients (for example, Asian Development Bank, World Bank & IFC, Carbon Trust and Dubai Expo City), and projects under the UK Aid funded AT2030 programme cluster ‘Integrate - Strengthen the systems which make inclusion a reality’ (for example, Local production Systems of AT, Designing Inclusive Dignity Kits for Dissemination in Humanitarian Crises and Climate Resilient Cities), GDI Hub’s Research and Delivery Team:

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative, primary and secondary research
• Report academic research and grey literature publications with recommendations, blogs and insights reports
• Provide strategic and operational consultancy and technical assistance
• Design and deliver training and workshops, host and present speaker sessions
• Organise knowledge dissemination for high impact
• Track impact and reach of research and delivery

GDI Hub’s Research and Delivery Team have a range of thematic expertise, including inclusive design, accessibility, inclusive infrastructure, inclusive climate resilience and responses, disability and gender, financial inclusion and inclusive private sector practice.

The majority of GDI Hub Research and Delivery Team’s work has a focus in Low or Middle-Income Countries (LMIC).

GDI Hub’s Research and Delivery Team and work is growing fast, and this role has been created to strengthen the team and its delivery across its portfolio of work.

Experience and Qualifications

The successful candidate for this role will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Experience working or academic study in relevant fields (including working closely and collaboratively with disabled people and disabled people’s organisations is desirable), such as international disability inclusion, assistive and accessible technology, accessibility and inclusive design, disability innovation and global health; with willingness to grow expertise across these areas.
• Ideally have some experience (approx. 2-5 years) working on research projects and/or practice-focused research in a related field. This could be as part of further study, research or in a work capacity. Real work experience is desirable.
• A post graduate qualification or equivalent work experience, focused on an area relevant to disability inclusion, accessibility and / or assistive technology.
• Experience and confidence to independently conduct qualitative research and analysis, and literature reviews.
• Experienced in quantitative research and analysis with proficiency in designing and running quantitative data collection via surveys and analysing results to inform statistically representative and robust results. Confidence to independently conduct descriptive and correlational analysis using for e.g., ExCel, Python, R or SPSS.
• Independence in producing clear and insightful infographics and data visualisations.
• Excellent written communication skills, with ability to take on writing of reports using clear and compelling narrative; experience authoring lucid and informative insights and reporting.
• Excellent ability to communicate, work in a small dynamic team, and collaborate with individuals with diverse technical backgrounds and with external stakeholders.
• Confidence in client relationship management for organisation of meetings, email engagements and clients and stakeholder presentations.
• Flexibility and dynamism, to take on a range of tasks supporting multiple projects across the Research and Delivery Portfolio.
• Aptitude for independent and timely delivery management whilst work closely with other members of the GDI Hub team.
• Ability to effectively manage own commitments to the benefit of the team
• Positive and proactive attitude, with a genuine passion for this work