Research, Evaluation and Reporting Specialist

Family Legacy Missions Zambia (FLMZ) is a Faith-based organization that upholds Christian values and morals in the education of the orphaned and vulnerable children it serves. The organization seeks to recruit suitably qualified, experienced, and competent individuals who will demonstrate commitment to FL’s mission, vision, and values to be based in Lusaka.

Job Summary

The Research, Evaluation, and Reporting Specialist designs and conducts research studies and evaluations to assess the impact of FLMZ’s programs on vulnerable children’s holistic development. This role ensures that FLMZ’s interventions are evidence-based and continuously improved, providing critical insights that support our mission of equipping vulnerable children to live out their God-given potential.

Dimensions of the Role:

The Research, Evaluation and Reporting Specialist works collaboratively with Legacy Academy and department staff to support FLMZ’s relational, participatory, and gritty approach to development. This position leads the organization’s research and evaluation efforts, ensuring that our assessment of program impact reflects both the depth and breadth of our work with vulnerable children. The role contributes to our commitment to excellence in Christian education and holistic care by providing robust evidence of program effectiveness and opportunities for improvement.

Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position:

1. Research Design and Implementation (30%)

• Design and conduct research studies to evaluate program effectiveness and impact
• Develop robust methodologies for measuring holistic child development outcomes
• Collaborate with academic institutions for research partnerships
• Lead the development of research frameworks aligned with FLMZ’s redemptive development approach
• Ensure research designs honor the dignity of children and families

2. Impact Evaluation (25%)

• Lead impact evaluations of key FLMZ programs
• Develop tools to measure spiritual, intellectual, physical, and emotional development of children
• Analyze and interpret evaluation data to inform program improvements
• Design evaluation approaches that capture both quantitative and qualitative aspects of transformation
• Implement participatory evaluation methods that engage children and families

3. Capacity Building (15%)

• Train FLMZ staff on research methodologies and evaluation techniques
• Develop guidelines and tools for program teams to conduct self-evaluations
• Mentor junior staff and interns in research and evaluation practices
• Foster evaluative thinking across the organization
• Build capacity for evidence-based decision making

4. Reporting and Knowledge Dissemination (15%)

• Prepare comprehensive research and evaluation reports
• Present findings to internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to academic publications and conference presentations
• Document and share best practices in redemptive child development
• Create compelling narratives that demonstrate program impact

5. Data Quality and Ethics (10%)

• Ensure adherence to research ethics and child protection standards
• Implement data quality assurance measures in all research activities
• Collaborate with the Data Analytics Officer to ensure data integrity
• Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive information
• Develop and enforce research ethical guidelines

6. Cross-Program Support (5%)

• Provide technical support to program teams in developing logical frameworks
• Assist in the development of indicator tracking tools
• Support the MEL Manager in strategic planning and decision-making
• Facilitate cross-program learning and knowledge sharing
• Contribute to the development of organizational M&E systems

Skills Specific to the Post

Technical Skills:

• Expert knowledge of research methodologies and evaluation approaches
• Strong proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, STATA)
• Advanced skills in research design and implementation
• Excellence in data analysis and interpretation
• Proficiency in data visualization and presentation tools
• Strong understanding of ethical research practices with vulnerable populations
• Competence in participatory research methods
• Ability to use digital data collection tools and platforms

Professional Skills:

• Outstanding analytical and critical thinking abilities
• Excellent research report writing and presentation skills
• Strong project management and organizational abilities
• Demonstrated ability to lead research teams
• Excellent stakeholder management capabilities
• Ability to translate complex findings into actionable recommendations
• Strong mentoring and capacity building skills
• Effective cross-cultural communication abilities

Competencies and Values

Spiritual:

• Strong affirmation of FL Statement of Faith
• Clear understanding and articulation of the plan of salvation
• Demonstrated ability to integrate Christian worldview into research practices
• Commitment to dignity-focused evaluation approaches
• Understanding of redemptive development principles
• Active participation in Christian community and personal spiritual growth
• Ability to connect research and evaluation work to FLMZ’s spiritual mission

Achieving:

• Commitment to excellence in research and evaluation
• Strong results orientation with attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple research projects simultaneously
• Proactive problem-solving approach
• Dedication to continuous improvement
• Strong work ethic and professional integrity
• Commitment to ethical research practices

Thinking:

• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills
• Ability to synthesize complex information
• Strategic thinking and planning capabilities
• Innovation in research methodology
• Understanding of systems thinking
• Ability to see patterns and trends in data
• Strong conceptual and theoretical thinking skills

Relational:

• Cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural competence
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships
• Skilled at working with vulnerable populations
• Team leadership and collaboration abilities
• Capacity to influence and persuade
• Effective stakeholder management

Self-Managing:

• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Emotional intelligence and self-awareness
• Resilience and adaptability
• Commitment to personal and professional development
• Balance between attention to detail and big picture thinking
• Ability to manage stress and competing demands

Physical Environment and Demands:

The position is based at the Family Legacy Mission Zambia Ibex Hill Office, with regular travel to Legacy Academies and the Tree of Life Children’s Village in Chongwe. The role requires:

• 60% office-based work focused on research design, analysis, and reporting
• 40% field work for data collection, training, and stakeholder engagement
• Regular travel within Lusaka compounds and to Chongwe
• Ability to work in various environmental conditions during field research
• Flexibility to adjust working hours based on research requirements

Level of Contact with Children: High level

The position holder will have significant interaction with children during research activities, requiring:

• Strict adherence to child protection policies
• Sensitivity to the needs and rights of vulnerable children
• Ability to create child-friendly research environments
• Understanding of ethical considerations in research with minors
• Skill in obtaining meaningful feedback from children
• Commitment to participatory approaches that engage children appropriately

Accountability:

The Research, Evaluation and Reporting Specialist is accountable for:

• Quality and integrity of all research and evaluation activities
• Protection of research participants, especially children
• Accurate and timely reporting of findings
• Ethical conduct of all research activities
• Development and mentoring of research team members
• Contribution to organizational learning and improvement
• Strategic use of research resources

Working Relationships:

Internal:

• Reports directly to the MEL Manager
• Works closely with program managers and department heads
• Collaborates with other MEL team members
• Engages with field staff and school personnel
• Partners with senior leadership team

External:

• Academic institutions and research partners
• Peer organizations and networks
• Research consultants and specialists
• Community stakeholders
• Relevant government departments

This position plays a crucial role in ensuring that Family Legacy’s programs are evidence-based and effectively contributing to our mission of empowering vulnerable children in Zambia. Through rigorous research and evaluation, the role helps demonstrate and improve our impact across spiritual, intellectual, physical, and emotional dimensions of child development.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Educational Qualification and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Research Methods, Evaluation, Social Sciences, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in research and evaluation, preferably in child-focused development programs
• Strong background in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
• Experience with impact evaluation design and implementation in development contexts
• Demonstrated experience in conducting research with vulnerable populations
• Knowledge of child development principles and practices

How to apply:

• Follow the link here and complete the application process by attaching your CV and qualifications as one Word or PDF document. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Contacted candidates must ensure they have Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) certified certificates.

Closing Date: 3rd December 2024 at 17:00 hours.