Food for the Hungry (FH) and its partners, RTI International (RTI), Professional Alliance for Development (PADet), Amhara Development Association (ADA), Bahir Dar University (BDU), Dimagi, and iDE were awarded the 5-year USAID BHA-funded Poverty Reduced Sustainably in an Environment of Resilient and Vibrant Economy (PReSERVE), an integrated activity to improve food security of vulnerable households in targeted PSNP communities in Amhara Region and contribute to a sustained reduction in rural poverty. Grounded on the PSNP design, PReSERVE will improve the effectiveness and accountability of core PSNP activities and test evidenced solutions through livelihood deepening (LD) interventions.

PReSERVE will reach 224,454 direct PSNP participants in nine contiguous woredas in Wag Hemra, South Gondar, and Central Gondar zones in Amhara Region: Sahila, Ziquala and Abergele in the lowland Wag Hemra zone; Tach Gayint, Lay Gayint, Simada, Sedi Muja, and Meketwa in the predominantly highland South Gondar zone; and East Belessa in the largely lowland Central Gondar zone. Most of the target woredas fall within the Abay Tekeze Watershed and the Tekeze lowland Sorghum and Goat livelihood zones. A mixed farming system is practiced with various cereal crops grown, and cattle and sheep and goats (shoats) reared at varying levels of significance in each zone and woreda.

LD interventions will be implemented in four of the nine woredas that were selected due to evidence of potential for market-related improvements and overall impact. The LD woredas include Sahil and Abergele in Wag Hemra zone and Tach Gayint and Lay Gayint in the South Gondar zone. LD activities will target 13,100 PSNP households (HHs) and 24,045 youth (50% female) and will include programs with women, youth, and people with disabilities.

PReSERVE addresses the following three purpose areas:

Purpose 1: Vulnerable HHs and individuals have sufficient quantity, quality and diversity of food at all times.

Purpose 2: Vulnerable community members’ livelihoods transformed.

Purpose 3: PSNP systems deliver accountable, effective, and shock-responsive services.

BDU is a sub-contractor within the RTI’s award for the PReSERVE Project to lead and support research activities to achieve timely delivery of quality Research outputs. The Research Manager who will be stationed in BDU will be responsible for all aspects of research design, execution, and deliverables as well as management of contracts. S/he will report to the BDU Research and Community Service Vice President and will liaise between PReSERVE Research Manager and CLA Lead.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in management of research, scientific, or academic projects or programs. The candidate must be highly organized and comfortable working with BDU academic staff and RTI project staff to meet deliverables. Experience in food security or agriculture research is a benefit. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Oversee all research activities of BDU simultaneously, tracking and guiding to complete on time and within budget in discussion with the PreSERVE Focal Person.
• Manage planning, execution, and follow-up for PReSERVE research activities implemented by BDU with the BDU PReSERVE Focal Person.
• Manage day-to-day research operations, provide coordination and monitoring of research activities and provide regular updates to PReSERVE focal person (BDU Research and Community Service Vice President) and PReSERVE Research Manager.
• Work with BDU PReSERVE Focal Person, Professionals, Technical Specialists, Graduate assistants, and students of BDU to develop and review technical and financial proposals, protocols, guidelines as well as periodic and study reports.
• Present technical and feasible financial proposals, protocols, guidelines as well as periodic and study reports for BDU Research and Community Service Vice President for approval before implementation/dissemination.
• Review and tracking of expenses, budget management and forecasting with support from the PReSERVE focal Person at BDU.
• Ensure that the BDU team is complying with assigned tasks, including timely reporting on expenses and use of correct task codes.

• Ensure the highest levels of compliance and technical documentation in line with protocols and guidelines
• Participate in defining of learning agendas for BDU engagements in the coming years with a in discussion with the PReSERVE focal person and BDU RCSVP.
• Prepare reports for BDU and PReSERVE teams up on request and on timely bases.
• Other tasks assigned by BDU and PReSERVE teams

Research Management

• Managing and supporting designing research activities by BDU and reviewing and contributing to deliverables for PReSERVE research activities implemented by BDU professionals.
• Liaises with subject matter experts in BDU, including facilitating technical oversight and direct implementation of the studies.
• Review and follow up research designed, protocols, methodologies, and results to ensure high quality deliverables.
• Guide studies in collaboration with PReSERVE staff or consultants to inform decision making process to decide which direction to take for the studies.
• Follow up and responding to IRB requirements of BDU and RTI for the research studies procedures and deliverables in discussion with the Focal Person.
• Facilitate identification of technical skill gap for implementation of research activities in collaboration with RTI including identifying and engaging qualified consultants to support research studies.

Learning and Knowledge Management

• Work closely with the RTI to ensure research remains aligned with the learning agenda, complementary activities of other RFSAs, donor requests and other emerging needs.
• Coordinates closely with the BDU and RTI teams to utilize forums whenever possible, incorporate learning from research studies, and otherwise ensure the research and community service activities leverage each other and avoid duplication.
• Support technical specialists on day-to-day learning activities to prepare findings for dissemination, and to design and facilitate workshops and activities with technical staff and other stakeholders.
• Work closely with BDU and RTI teams to conduct annual strategy meetings aimed at positioning BDU as research and learning partner for further and ongoing USAID-funded activities in the Amhara region.
• Contribute to PReSERVE knowledge management practices and platforms, actively developing and disseminate results within BDU and PReSERVE team, and prepare results for sharing in external forums in coordination with RTI team.
• Support collaboration among; identify learnings and adaptive management for PReSERVE from the findings of studies.
• Facilitate collaboration, identification of learning agendas and adaptive management initiative for PReSERVE over LOA.

Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance.
• Work collaboratively, negotiate and engage with key stakeholders to facilitate delivery and compliance requirements of RTI and BDU.
• Work as part of the research team to share ideas and improve operation, recommending, supporting, and implementing continuous improvement of research activities and process and procedure improvements to optimize results and improve quality of delivery in line with quality standards, requirements delivery with RTI and BDU requirements.
• Ensure an effective interface with other BDU departmental staff is maintained, liaise, and communicate with other BDU departments as well as RTI.
• Coordinate reporting and communication between BDU team and RTI.
• Attend various meetings and action/communicate instructions, produce written reports, and make presentations. 
• Represents PReSERVE project in various BDU research and networking forums.

Self Management

• Comply with the Health, Safety and Environmental Policies of BDU and RTI
• Support research team, proactively contribute to creating a good team atmosphere
• Embraces personal challenge, confident, and rounded thinking
• Takes ownership for team cohesion
• A self-aware, resilient, influential, optimistic, and open to change, with an Adult: Adult and collaborative approach to others

• Advanced university degree (PhD or MSc) in Agricultural Economics, Food Security, Development Studies, Sociology and Rural Development.
• At least 6 years progressive experience in implementing and leading technical and program activities for donor-funded programs, research, M&E or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in research management; planning and design, implementation of research related tasks,
• Experience in all aspects of program management: planning, organizing and analytical skills
• Previous experience  in leadership
• Demonstrated experience in research methods, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data along with knowledge of reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, and tools
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• There will be moderate /reasonable salary for the post and the term of employment will be full time.

• Self-supervising within the expectations of BDU and RTI with advance research activities principles, theories, and concepts.
• Highly skilled communicator with the ability to form and maintain good relationships internally and externally.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong ability and team working skills.
• Results oriented and organized with the ability to plan and deliver against deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail skills and Project Management skills.

Deadline for application: 10 consecutive working days

Applicants can submit their non-returnable credentials with their CV to the human resource office in person at Wisdom building G1- room 103 or; can send their updated CV with credentials to the following Email: 23addisgb@gmail.com