Research Specialist, Human Development Programme

Entity: Medical College

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

IntroductionThe Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, international university committed to excellence in education, research, and healthcare. AKU invites applications for the position of Research Specialist for a UNICEF-supported project focused on Early Childhood Development (ECD).The Research Specialist will support implementation and coordination of project activities, trainings, field operations, documentation, stakeholder engagement, and reporting. The role requires strong research, communication, and organizational skills, along with the ability to collaborate with project partners and travel across Pakistan when required.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

Human development is a major theme in the work of Aga Khan University. The Human Development Programme (HDP) was established as the first concrete initiative in this field in 2003 and supports human development through multidisciplinary and research-based approaches. Its initial focus is early childhood, a period of life that lays the foundation for all future learning, development and wellbeing.

This is a grant funded contractual position

Responsibilities:You will be responsible to:

• supporting implementation of all UNICEF project activities
• coordinating day-to-day project operations and monitoring progress against project objectives
• assisting with effective liaison and coordination with project partners and stakeholders
• organizing and conducting trainings, refresher sessions, workshops, webinars, and dissemination seminars
• developing training manuals, presentations, and other learning materials
• overseeing training logistics and implementation arrangements
• organizing and conducting interviews, IDIs, and FGDs
• supporting transcription, analysis, and reporting of research data
• maintaining project documentation and records
• contributing to quarterly and annual project reports
• supporting departmental collaboration and relationship management with line departments and partners
• participating in field activities across different regions of Pakistan 

RequirementsYou should have:

• master’s degree in Education, Early Childhood Development, Psychology, or a related discipline from a recognized institution
• minimum 2 years of relevant experience in research or project implementation
• experience in early childhood development projects
• experience in organizing trainings and supporting project activities
• expertise in documentation, record keeping, and report writing
• strong stakeholder coordination skills
• excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Urdu
• sound knowledge of research methods
• strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• ability to conduct trainings, online sessions, and webinars
• proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• effective planning, monitoring, and time management skills
• willingness to travel extensively within Pakistan

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.