Research Manager

Fixed term until 31st December 2026

Join the ACU as Research Manager and use your experience of managing international mobility programmes to help us build a better world through international collaboration in higher education.

The ACU offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the higher education sector. We are one of the largest, most diverse international university networks, bringing together circa 400 universities in over 40 countries. Championing the power of higher education to improve lives, we support our members – and our people – in contributing to sustainable development across the Commonwealth and beyond.

The role

The Research Manager post will be in partnership with the Association of African Universities’ (AAU) collaborating researcher, the ACU’s research elements of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC)-funded Climate adaptation research Organisational Assessment Tool (CO-CAT) project. CO-CAT is a 24-month project designed to develop a tool for assessing institutional capacity for climate change adaptation research across African universities and research institutions.

Who are we looking for?

You will need:

• Degree educated (with post-graduate qualifications an advantage) or equivalent experience in a climate change adaptation-related field, research management, and/or organisational capacity development 
• Excellent research skills, including research design, participatory research methodologies, desk research, and primary data collection methods 
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) skills in the context of international development and research capacity strengthening 
• Summative and formative report writing 
• Developing concise briefings and presenting data for different audiences
• Administrative skills including data management and reliable record keeping 
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and work under pressure and to deadlines 
• Knowledge and understanding of institutional research capacity, research management, and/or climate change adaptation  
• Interpersonal skills including efficient verbal and written communications 
• Experience of working in internationally based complex multi-partner projects  
• Excellent relationship management skills.

What to expect:

We see diversity, equity and inclusion as fundamental to our mission and we value the many different perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our collective performance (you can find out more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and safeguarding on our website).  

We believe in investing in all our people and creating cultures in which everyone can thrive. 

We offer a fantastic package of benefits including:

• 27 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees), plus 4 Christmas closure days
• Generous pension scheme – 5% employee contribution, 10% employer contribution 
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental leave
• Give As You Earn charitable donations scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Sabbatical leave
• Ability to request flexible working from day one

How to apply

To apply, click the apply button to reach our recruitment portal. 

You will need to submit your CV (maximum 2 pages) and online application form (maximum 1000 words) outlining how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the criteria for the role. Please include your motivation for applying.

Closing date: 19 December 2024 at 5pm. 

Interview Date: W/C 13 January 2024