Senior Researcher

Dikoda Ltd is seeking a Senior Researcher to join our team and support the implementation of our projects related to nutrition, food systems, and food security in the Asia-Pacific region.

As a global social business, Dikoda has a team of over 15 professionals with expertise in various fields including agriculture, nutrition, public health, and the social sciences. We work with a wide range of clients including governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and the private sector. Our team is currently working across 8 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and we have established offices in Bangladesh and Fiji to better serve our clients in these regions. Our head office is in the UK.

Dikoda’s vision is to support better health and nutrition among children, adolescent girls and women through innovative research and solutions for impact. As a growing organization, our ambition is to continue expanding our reach and impact, by delivering high-quality research and innovative solutions that address complex challenges related to food and nutrition in the Asia-Pacific region. We aim to establish new partnerships and collaborations, and to leverage emerging technologies and data-driven approaches to inform our work and deliver more effective and sustainable solutions for our clients and partners.

As the Senior Researcher, you will be responsible for conducting research and providing technical guidance to project teams to ensure high-quality project delivery. You will work closely with the Programme Manager to design and execute projects that generate impactful and sustainable results.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of a PhD's degree in a relevant field and extensive experience working on research in low- and middle-income countries. 

Responsibilities:

Research Design: Develop and refine research methodologies, frameworks, and study designs that align with project objectives and goals.

Data Collection and Management: Oversee data collection processes, ensuring quality and consistency, and manage data storage, organization, and retrieval.

Data Analysis: Employ advanced analytical techniques to interpret and draw meaningful conclusions from research data, while also identifying trends, patterns, and insights.

Reporting and Dissemination: Prepare comprehensive research reports, presentations, and other materials to communicate findings to relevant stakeholders, including policymakers, clients, and the wider scientific community.

Collaboration: Work closely with interdisciplinary teams, including researchers, project managers, and external partners, to ensure seamless communication and collaboration throughout the research process.

Mentorship: Provide guidance and support to junior researchers, fostering their professional development and enhancing their research skills.

Grant Writing and Funding: Identify and pursue funding opportunities by developing grant proposals and maintaining relationships with funding agencies and organizations.

Scientific Communication: Represent the organization at conferences, workshops, and other events, sharing research findings and establishing collaborations with fellow researchers and institutions.

Stay Current: Continuously update knowledge and expertise in relevant research fields, methodologies, and emerging trends to ensure that the organization remains at the forefront of its domain.

Requirements:

Minimum of a PhD degree in a relevant field, such as nutrition, public health, or food security 

At least 7 years of research experience in low- and middle-income countries with strong technical knowledge of nutrition, food systems, and food security. Preferably expertise in maternal, urban nutrition, obesity prevention, nutrition in institutions – schools or workplace

Research Experience: Proven track record of conducting high-quality research, with extensive experience in designing and implementing research projects, data collection and analysis, and reporting findings.

Technical Skills: Proficiency in relevant research methodologies, data analysis tools (e.g., statistical software such as SPSS, R, or Stata), and other technologies used in the research process.

Publication Record: A strong record of publications in peer-reviewed journals, demonstrating expertise in the subject matter and the ability to effectively communicate research findings.

Grant Writing: A proven ability to secure research funding through the development of successful grant proposals and the establishment of relationships with funding agencies and organizations.

Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex research findings in a clear and concise manner to various audiences.

Teamwork and Collaboration: A demonstrated ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams and foster productive collaborations with internal and external partners.

Leadership and Mentorship: Experience in providing guidance and mentorship to junior researchers, facilitating their professional development and enhancing their research skills.

Adaptability: The ability to adapt to changing research priorities, new methodologies, and emerging trends in the field. Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines, and to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Position:

• Position: We are offering a half to full-time employment or consultancy position with an initial contract duration of one year, with the possibility of extension depending on the performance and funding availability. The salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

• Location: home based with regular trip to the UK hub and occasional travel to other project locations in the Asia-Pacific region. The candidate should be UK resident. 

• Travel expectations: The successful candidate may be required to travel up to 30% of the time, depending on project needs. Travel expenses, including airfare, accommodation, and per diems, will be covered by the company.

Dikoda is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace and in our programmes. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.

Contact: Human resources at jobs@dikoda.com and send you CV, cover letter and a link to a 2 min duration video pitch to explain why this position is for you (upload your pitch as an unlisted video to youtube and add the link to your cover letter)