Knowledge Management Consultant: AERC

Deadline: 29 July, 2020
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Term: One year commencing August 2020 to July 31, 2021 or any other period as agreed by parties in writing

Background
African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) in conjunction with the UK Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and the Egypt-based Economic Research Forum (ERF) are implementing a collaborative research project on “Work and Income for Young Men and Women in Africa: a political economy and social equity approach to the employment potential of specific sectors and subsectors in African economies”.

Supported by the Dutch Government under the Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies (INCLUDE), the collaborative research programme aims to:

1. Identify promising economic sectors or value chains for job creation for young men and women in selected countries in Africa
2. Identify the country specific conditions needed for local and foreign private sector to invest in these sectors or value chains.
3. Identify the country specific actors that are needed to create these conditions that enhance or reduce investment security
4. Identify ways to promote equal access and opportunity for youth to these new sources of work and income, addressing inequality related to gender, socio-economic background, and place of residence.

To achieve these aims, this programme will employ multidisciplinary methodologies including econometric approaches, political economy analysis, and social and spatial equity analysis. The country case studies will be conducted in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda. In the framework of this collaborative research programme, the AERC seeks to recruit a knowledge management consultant.

Key responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to work closely with AERC staff to support the implementation of programme activities including the generation of research evidence, development and synthesis of knowledge products, and research update and dialogue with policy actors. The candidate will be expected to perform the following duties.

1. Draft an overview of existing knowledge and identify evidence gaps for research on the collaborative programme themes.
2. Summarise and synthesise existing knowledge and make it accessible to policy makers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to facilitate knowledge exchange.
3. Synthesise research evidence from the programme outputs and knowledge products including framework papers, policy briefs, country case studies, and synthesis papers for dissemination and engagement with policy makers.
4. Build and strengthen partnerships with collaborating institutions, research teams, policy makers and other agencies to enhance achievement of the programme aims.
5. Organise and facilitate face-face and virtual research uptake and dialogue forums (policy seminars, meetings, workshops, and conferences) with researchers, policy makers, implementors and other actors.
6. Share programme outputs and knowledge products through the collaborating organisations’ websites, social media and other appropriate platforms and forums.
7. Coordinate collaborating institutions, think tanks, research teams and other actors involved in the programme.
8. Provide support in managing the activities of the programme including drafting reports of key activities of the programme and workshops.
9. Carry out any other duties as may be requested

Minimum qualifications

1. PhD degree in Economics, Development Studies, or related field.
2. At least five years’ experience in research work.
3. Good analytical, evidence synthesis and quantitative skills.
4. Experience in facilitating knowledge exchange.
5. Evidence of publications in peer reviewed journals/book chapters, etc.
6. Must have at least five years’ experience in work assignments that involve collaboration /networking with different players.
7. Proficiency in virtual web conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, and social media apps.
8. Experience in multidisciplinary methodologies including econometric approaches, political economy analysis, and social and spatial equity analysis.

Duration of contract
The consultant shall perform the services for a period of one year commencing August 2020 to July 31, 2021 or any other period as may be subsequently agreed by parties in writing.

Application
If you are interested in contributing to this innovative initiative, please forward your application to AERC with a detailed CV clearly indicating your experience to:

Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u
The Executive Director
African Economic Research Consortium
PO Box 62882-00200
Nairobi
by email, to procurement@aercafrica.org with a copy to cresearch@aercafrica.org by July 29, 2020.