TERMS OF REFERENCE
Research Coordinator
| Organization | NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response) (Hosted by Adeso – African Development Solutions) |
| Position | Research Coordinator |
| Reporting To | Solutions Director |
| Working With | NEAR Secretariat; NEAR members; partners, donors, and fund managers |
| Duty Station | Global (remote) |
| Duration | 4 Months (15-20 days per month) |
| Starting Date | As soon as possible |
ABOUT NEAR
NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response) is a movement of local organisations with a bold ambition – to reshape the top-down humanitarian and development system to one that is locally driven and owned, and is built around equitable, dignified and accountable partnerships. NEAR is a membership-based organisation with members coming from four regions: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
ABOUT ADESO
NEAR is currently hosted by Adeso, an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organisation. Adeso and NEAR both aspire to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: Influencing policy change and enacting systemic change through innovative solutions led by local and national actors.
POSITION PURPOSE
Under the overall leadership of the Solutions Director, and closely coordinating with the Influencing Director, the Research Coordinator will lead and coordinate research about locally led financing mechanisms to produce a report with:
- A mapping of locally led, owned and governed financing models, practices and frameworks;
- Analysis of trends across design, governance, leadership, and operationalization models that power effective locally led funding mechanisms; and
- Recommendations for designing and implementing locally led and governed decentralized financing models.
The research will strengthen and complement existing knowledge about funding instruments with locally led components including certain pooled funding modalities. Research insights and recommendations will contribute to NEAR’s innovative financing strategy, including member led regional funds. The research will also inform NEAR’s influencing efforts by providing evidence and analysis relevant to donors, fund managers, and other decision-makers shaping the future of locally led financing.
SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Scope & Plan:
- In consultation with identified NEAR secretariat staff and members, finalise research scope, questions, objectives, and methodology for the report.
- Draft, share and validate the research’s work plan.
- Closely collaborate and engage identified research partners on design, research tools, data collection methods and data validation processes.
- Portions of the research will be prioritized to help produce a discussion paper on a forthcoming networked financing mechanism.
Data collection, analysis and validation:
- Design, conduct and share literature review to help inform and adapt the report’s finalized scope and approach; this includes identifying funding modality types, themes, geographies, and purpose to be prioritized.
- Design, test, adapt data-collection and aggregation tools for both qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring robust representation and relevance.
- Lead all data collection and data quality verification efforts, including stakeholder interviews.
- Conduct data-aggregation, data-quality and analysis, including through complementary methods whenever required, such as Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) or Focus Groups (FGs).
- Facilitate data validation event(s) with relevant stakeholders including representative sample of targeted research users.
Report writing:
- Taking into account feedback from research validation event(s), complete data analysis to discern trends, draw conclusions, and formulate recommendations.
- Liaise with the Influencing Team throughout the research process to ensure alignment with advocacy priorities and messaging.
- Draft the report, synthesizing research findings and recommendations.
Collaborate with NEAR teams to ensure the report reflects diverse perspectives and expertise.
Finalisation, design, publication:
- Revise the draft report incorporating input from critical reviews by stakeholders.
- Guide the design process for clarity, accessibility, and visual impact.
- Oversee the publication process, ensuring timely release and distribution.
Research launch and uptake:
- Design and plan 2-3 dissemination activities with NEAR members.
- Produce short-form outputs (for example 2-page brief, slide deck, talking points) for uptake in donor engagements and advocacy efforts.
- Create summary materials for broader dissemination.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced degree in International Development, Humanitarian Studies, or a related field.
- Significant experience in humanitarian or global aid research, with a demonstrated ability to lead complex research projects.
- Strong understanding of local financing mechanisms, localisation principles, practices, and challenges in the context of international aid.
- Proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse, multicultural environment.
- Fluent in English; proficiency in additional languages relevant to NEAR’s operational regions is a plus.
APPLICATION PROCESS
All applications should be sent to jobs@near.ngo by 4 July 2025 with “Research Coordinator” on the subject line. The selection committee will review all applications as they arrive.
Each application package should include the following:
- Cover letter with the applicant’s current contact information (limited to one page)
- CV
- Three Professional References, with complete contact information
All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Adeso is an equal opportunity employer.
