About the Role

The Research Associate will support the Operations and Project Management team in coordinating day-to-day project activities, maintaining work plans, and ensuring timely execution across multiple workstreams. The role will assist with project coordination, partner communication, documentation, and follow-up on action items to keep activities on track. They will also provide analytical support through structured research, data organization, and preparation of briefs that inform operational decision-making. This position is well-suited for an early-career professional with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, implementation-focused environment.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Project Coordination & Workplan Management

Track and update detailed workplans, activity schedules, and milestones across multiple concurrent workstreams
Schedule and coordinate project activities, ensuring internal teams and partners stay aligned on timelines
Document progress against plans and flag delays, risks, or resourcing needs to the Operations and Project Management team
Follow up on action items from meetings and workstreams to ensure timely closure.

• Field Operations & Stakeholder Meetings

Support planning and logistics for field operations, including scheduling, resourcing, and troubleshooting on-the-ground issues
Support routine monitoring of field activities through check-ins, verification exercises, and adherence to protocols and timelines
Ensure smooth logistics and timely communication between field teams and the project office

• Research & Analytical Support

Conduct targeted literature and landscape reviews to inform programme design, implementation strategy, and operational decision-making
Synthesize research and landscape review findings into concise, actionable briefs for decision makers
Assist with data cleaning, organization, and basis analysis to support monitoring, reporting, and adaptive management
Contribute to the development of simple tools and trackers that support evidence-based operational decisions

• Partner & Team Coordination

Coordinate with implementing partners, community teams, and field staff to maintain consistent, professional communication
Track partner deliverables and follow up on outstanding commitments and requests
Support relationship management with partners through timely correspondence and coordination

• Documentation & Reporting

Prepare clear project briefs, internal reports, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders
Take and circulate meeting minutes, ensuring accurate capture of decisions and action items
Maintain organized, version-controlled documentation across the project lifecycle
Undertake other tasks as assigned by the Project Manager and Operations team

Required Qualifications

• Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Business Administration, or a related field

• Experience

0-2 years of relevant experience in project coordination, operations, or research support
Experience assisting with field operations, logistics, or partner coordination is an advantage
Exposure to data cleaning or basic analysis in an academic, internship, or professional setting is an advantage

• Skills and Competencies

Strong interest in research and evidence-based program development
Strong writing, analytical, and organizational skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise briefs
Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with data analysis software (Stata, R, NVivo, or similar) is an asset
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, implementation-focused environment with shifting priorities
Ability to work independently, prioritize across multiple tasks, and consistently meet deadlines
High attention to detail, professionalism, and a strong willingness to learn and grow