Program Officer is required in Scaling Innovation Practice of ‘Results for Development Institute (R4D)’.

R4D’s Scaling Innovation Practice advances the effective integration of innovative solutions that address pressing systemic challenges in low-and middle-income countries and strives to improve development outcomes in health, education, and nutrition. R4D is seeking a Program Officer (PO) to work on its growing portfolio of projects and initiatives within the Scaling Innovation Practice, including IDIA and other innovation-related partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Program Director to support the effective management of the IDIA, including administrative and logistical activities and planning quarterly member meetings in different global locations
• Manage and contribute to key innovation initiatives emerging from the IDIA group strategy
• Coordinate and collaborate with other R4D teams (i.e. health, nutrition, education and adaptive learning) to ensure the integration and alignment of activities under R4D’s evolving strategic partnership on innovation with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT)
• Produce presentations, concept notes, briefing materials, etc. related to development innovation to keep R4D’s Scaling Innovation Practice informed of key trends and advances within this fluid and fast-moving space
• Support the efficient and timely management of project budgets and reporting
• Identify and build relationships and business development opportunities to engage with innovation funders and key stakeholders within the UK and Europe

Qualifications and Requirements

• Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree in international development, development studies, social anthropology, development economics or related fields
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience managing projects / partnerships with development agencies and institutions, ideally relating to innovation
• Demonstrated knowledge of global and international development issues with proven experience building and/or managing relationships with different actors in this landscape
• Knowledge and experience of different tools, frameworks and approaches to innovation (e.g. Human Centered Design, Agile/Lean Impact methodologies) and the factors influencing their pathway to scale
• Excellent writing, editing, presentation and inter-personal skills; confident and flexible communication skills, including the ability to prepare compelling presentations or briefing notes and present concepts in a way that is easily understood
• Ability to prioritize and manage diverse tasks across multiple projects and work streams meeting competing time/resource demands; High level of personal organization, professionalism and reliability in contributing both independently and as a team member
• Ability to thrive (rather than survive) in a fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous environment
• Willingness to travel internationally (approximately 3-4 trips per year) based on project need
• Legally authorized to work in the UK​.