Senior Program Associate, Innovation Practice

Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too. 

We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D.

About the Scaling Innovation practice

Finding innovative solutions to complex development challenges is essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and enable billions to overcome hardship. Innovations in health, education, agriculture, finance, and other sectors have been vital in the life-saving and life-improving breakthroughs of recent times. Where inadequate practices slow progress, more effective approaches need to be found.

Through R4D’s wider programming, our Scaling Innovation practice connects with a wide diversity of actors at global, regional and country levels committed to doing development differently. In partnership, we facilitate the design, testing and scaling of new solutions to complex challenges. We also provide thought leadership through our unique position managing highly respected global innovation initiatives such as the International Development Innovation Alliance, a platform bringing together senior leadership from the innovation teams of leading development agencies..

Overview

As an integral member of the Innovation Team, the Senior Program Associate (SPA) will work with colleagues across a number of projects in the Innovation Portfolio, including providing approximately 50% LOE to provide leadership and overall management of Practice communications, content development and amplification of our initiatives. In addition, the SPA will help contribute to capturing and amplifying the work and impact of the Innovation Practice internally and externally.

This role will report to the Senior Program Officer in the Innovation Practice. To support efficient collaboration with the Innovation team, this role should be located in either the UK, Africa or USA with a willingness to travel globally for team / program-related meetings. 

• International Development Innovation Alliance (IDIA)  Hub
• Synthesizing learning from IDIA Hub and Spoke activities to produce annual Learning Postcards
• Supporting the design of the Agendas, content and delivery of Hub member meetings
• Coordinating the development of IDIA Hub meeting Summary Records
• Conducting targeted technical research as may be requested / necessary
• IDIA website content management and promotion, including managing external enquiries.
• GIA website updates and maintenance of Whatsapp community
• Promotion of IDIA structures (such as GIAs) across social media

• Contributing to the design of key initiatives within the Training Portfolio, such as the Training platform and the Training Research Agenda
• Communication manager for the IDIA Training program which aims to develop the innovation leadership and scaling capacity of ecosystem actors around the world through expanded delivery of the IDIA training on Managing Innovation for Impact.
• Responsible for all public-facing marketing / social media / photography / website / webinars / events / research dissemination / general promotion of the training.
• Supports design of flagship training materials, Training content and web platform, graphic design of graduation certificates, cohort yearbooks.
• Provides support for cohort WhatsApp group.
• Supports coordination and organization of orientation webinars and participant blogs.

• Supporting with the drafting and promotion of blogs produced by PSS Lab Champions and related to the PSS community
• Maintain the public sector scaling  sub-page of the IDIA website through the upload and strategic positioning of new content
• Promotion of PSS Action Lab activities on social media and other platforms

• Coordinate and align with the MLC East Africa Regional Hub communications efforts
• Develop and distribute the MLC quarterly newsletter
• Maintain and update LinkedIn and  Twitter channels, developing new ideas to increase outreach and followers
• Explore comms partnerships with MLC Partners and more widely (e.g. Devex, etc.) to improve the outreach of the MLC on external platforms
• Outreach to MLC Members to keep their profiles up to date and to profile / feature their milestones on the MLC website / newsletter
• Support with all communication efforts related to MLC events
• Maintenance and update of the MLC website - including uploading new content and keeping current content up to date
• Develop blog posts with content from MLC Members
• Develop a page on the MLC website to host external opportunities, including funding and networking opportunities

• Draft and edit content for the FT website
• Update pilot stories on FT website
• Upload content to the FT website and provide edits and revisions as necessary

• Communications related to learning capture and synthesis.

• Provide technical, administrative / logistics support across Innovation Practice activities as may be required
• Contribute to Practice Business Development strategy, materials and implementation
• Source opportunities for the communication of innovation team impact through external communications on R4D website, social media,. through journal articles, external blogs and beyond.
• Drive the generation of content for innovation team social media and online channels including the development of blog posts  on innovation written by R4D innovation team members.
• Update R4D innovation website, as needed.

• Masters degree preferred at least one year of relevant experience
• Experience or strong interest in innovation within international development
•  Enthusiastic about joining a diverse and inclusive work environment
• Strategic and creative problem solver who is adept at developing efficient systems and decision-making processes
• Ability to synthesize a wide array of data and information into a synthesized output
• Highly collaborative and approachable team member who is enthusiastic about supporting the team and working closely with others at R4D 
• Excellent oral and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complicated and detailed data to team leads
• High level of organization, attention to detail, professionalism, and reliability
• Ability to prioritize and manage work in a fast-paced environment across multiple projects and work streams with competing time/resource demands
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Enthusiasm, energy, good judgement, and humor
• Motivated to learn, grow, contribute and produce 

Results for Development is an EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering

and nurturing an energetic, collaborative and diverse workforce. R4D provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.