Senior Research and Technical Advisor - Permanent

About Lepra

Lepra is dedicated to addressing leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF) and their consequences through direct support, advocacy, and the promotion of inclusive communities. We work in Bangladesh and in India, through our sister organisation, LEPRA Society. We work in partnership with people affected by leprosy and LF to improve detection, ensure access to treatment and care, and promote inclusion and wellbeing. We have just finalised our new Global Strategy for 2024-30, which will guide us in our efforts to accelerate progress towards global targets for leprosy and LF, and towards our vision of a world free from leprosy and LF.

Job Context

Our new Global Strategy introduces some new approaches and priorities to our work, including: our first ever global Theory of Change (ToC), the most detailed Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) approach ever, and a sub-strategy dedicated to research, innovation and technology: the Global Research, Innovation and Technology Strategy (GRITS). With the finalisation of the new strategy, and as part of our ongoing commitment to improving our impact and efficiency, we are now seeking a consultant to provide specialised research support and technical advice.

Job Purpose

The primary objectives of this role are to lead the transitional phase of the GRITS, creating a detailed operational plan for its implementation; support the management of the existing research portfolio ensuring technical soundness, budget adherence and timely delivery; establish a sustainable pathway for research expertise to be led by in-country professionals.

Working Relationships

• Reports to Lepra UK’s Director of Programmes and Advocacy
• Day-to-day management liaison with the Director of Programmes and Advocacy and team members of Lepra’ sister organisation in India, LEPRA Society
• Close working links and collaboration with UK Fundraising, Communications and Finance teams
• International travel as needed for programmes oversight and support, and external representation.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the transitional phase of the GRITS.
• Identify and address any gaps or challenges in the current strategy.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure alignment and smooth transition.
• Support Programmes in the design of new projects / programmes by ensuring proposals submitted are technically sound and capitalize upon learning. Lead on ethical approval applications.
• Support Programmes in identifying, maintaining and growing academic / research -related partnerships, according to Lepra’s strategic interests and capacities 
• Serve as a focal point for external research contacts that have an interest in people affected by leprosy and LF.

Operational Plan Management

• Develop a comprehensive operational plan for the rollout of the strategy.
• Establish the initial GRITS processes including the Go no Go; steering group established and functioning.
• Define clear timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Ensure the plan is realistic, achievable, and aligns with the charity’s objectives and resources.

Support Existing Research Profile

• Review and support ongoing research projects.
• Ensure all research activities are technically sound, within budget, and on time.
• Provide technical guidance and support to research teams.
• Provide ongoing mentoring and coaching to staff and partners.
• Ensure that data sets and tools are appropriately designed and employed.

Pathway to Sustainability

• Create a sustainability plan to ensure research expertise is transitioned to and led by in-country professionals.
• Develop capacity-building programmes for local researchers and institutions
• Establish mentorship and training frameworks to support local leadership in research.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including donors, research institutions, and community leaders.
• Facilitate collaboration and partnerships to enhance the research profile and strategy implementation.
• Ensure transparent and effective communication throughout the transition process.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and impact of the strategy.
• Regularly report on progress, challenges, and achievements to the Lepra’s leadership team.
• Adjust plans and strategies based on feedback and evaluation results.

Safeguarding

• Support the implementation of newly developed processes in relation to the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation & Abuse (PSEA) and Safeguarding (SG).
• Ensure safeguarding measures are integrated into all project activities.

Technical advisory

• Guide and advise on the implementation of leprosy and LF control tools and approaches, specific healthcare models and/or health solutions in partner countries, when appropriate and according to Lepra and donor standards.
• Provide strategic and technical advice on the development and roll-out of country programmes as well as the overall leprosy / LF programme in Lepra.

Monitoring, evaluation and impact

• Advise the programmes team on the development of appropriate results frameworks, objectives, outputs, indicators and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and support the analysis of Lepra datasets.  Advise the HPMEL on analysis of Lepra datasets.  Provide technical inputs to Lepra’s reports, according to Lepra’s needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant degree level of education

Desirable

• Relevant post-graduate qualification
• Relevant professional health-related qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Extensive knowledge of global health issues and an up-to-date familiarity with issues and practice in the international development sector
• Substantive experience in designing and leading research projects and of communicating research results to different audiences 
• Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data using a range of different approaches and software and to present this information so that it may be easily interpreted by different users and audiences

Desirable

• At least ten years’ experience as a health advisor or researcher, preferably gained with an overseas development organisation or in academia, in a similar health focused role
• Familiarity with data visualisation tools and packages
• Experience with the concept and use of dynamic datasets

Skills, Attitudes and Personal Qualities

• Strong research administrative skills, specifically excel; STATA; SPSS; Nvivo and significant experience in MS Office packages
• Excellent attention to detail, and organisational and time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal communication skills, and confidence at presenting and representing at international global to a wide range of stakeholders
• Ability to work independently, be flexible and prioritise workload.
• Ability to travel within the UK and overseas
• Permanent resident and legal rights to work in the UK.