Research and Learning Specialist (RLS)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Research and Learning Specialist (RLS)

Duty Station: Kathmandu with frequent field travel

One Heart Worldwide (OHW) is expanding its Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) program in Lumbini Province and is currently seeking approval from the relevant authorities for a new five-year project. To strengthen the program's research, evidence generation, and organizational learning initiatives, OHW is seeking a qualified, motivated, and committed individual for the position of Research and Learning Specialist (RLS).

The successful candidate will lead the design, coordination, and implementation of research and learning initiatives, ensuring that evidence generation, knowledge management, and program learning are integrated into program planning and implementation. The RLS will oversee research, monitoring, documentation, and learning-related activities to generate, synthesize, and promote the use of relevant contextual evidence. The position will also provide strategic support to management by translating research findings, program data, and implementation experiences into actionable insights to inform evidence-based planning, strategic decision-making, adaptive management, and effective program implementation.

The main responsibilities of the Research and Learning Specialist (RLS) include:

Research Design and Grant Development

• Conceptualize, design, and lead research projects related to maternal, newborn, and reproductive health as well as cross-cutting areas like mental health, climate change, digital health, health equity, etc., with a focus on implementation science and real-world programmatic learning.
• Develop high-quality research protocols, concept notes, and methodologies for competitive international grants, donor-funded studies, and internal learning initiatives.
• Design and prepare robust evaluation methodologies for innovative pilot projects of OHW.
• Ensure all research designs align with national priorities, OHW’s program strategies, and ethical standards.

Research implementation and coordination

• Lead orientations and briefings on research methodologies for key stakeholders, management team, and study sites at the initiation of research activities.
• Oversee the implementation of research and learning activities, ensuring adherence to approved protocols, timelines, and quality standards.
• Coordinate closely with field teams, program focal persons, and implementation sites to ensure smooth execution of research activities.
• Plan and conduct regular field visits to monitor data collection processes, troubleshoot challenges, and document lessons learned.
• Work with cluster and district program teams to support the integration of research findings into ongoing programs and interventions.

Tools development, data collection, and quality assurance

• Lead the development, adaptation, piloting, and refinement of qualitative and quantitative research tools, including surveys, interview guides, observation checklists, and monitoring tools.
• Train, supervise, and guide the field research team and research assistants to ensure methodological rigor, ethical conduct and high-quality data collection.
• Establish and implement data quality assurance mechanisms, including field monitoring, data verification, and validation processes.

Data management and analysis

• Develop comprehensive data management and analysis plans for mixed methods studies.
• Manage research datasets, ensuring data security, confidentiality, and compliance with ethical approvals.
• Conduct and oversee quantitative and qualitative data analysis, in collaboration with internal and external research experts as needed.
• Synthesize findings into actionable insights to inform program improvement and organizational learning.

Reporting and dissemination

• Produce high-quality research and evaluation reports based on study findings for a range of audiences (program teams, donors, government stakeholders, and communities).
• Produce technical/policy briefs using monitoring data, surveys, and research findings generated by OHW.
• Support the presentation and delivery of presentations, workshops, and dissemination at local, national, and international level.
• Contribute to peer-reviewed publications, conference abstracts, and grey literature to strengthen OHW’s research visibility and credibility.

Ethics, governance, and stakeholder engagement

• Coordinate with concerned government agencies and regulatory bodies (NHRC, MoHFS, DoHS, Provincial health and research agencies and district-level health agencies) to facilitate research approvals and implementation.
• Review, edit, and obtain appropriate approvals for research and pilot projects.
• Provide technical review and feedback on reports and evaluation documents (e.g. baseline, end-line reports) produced by partners or other external agencies.

Learning, evidence use and MERL support

• Identify the learning needs of the organization, plan and conduct virtual or in-person learning sessions as needed to build capacity of OHW and its Partner Organizations’ staff.
• Work closely with the MERL team to monitor innovative projects and integrate research findings into routine monitoring and adaptive learning process.
• Review and synthesize published research, grey literature, and government documents to inform OHW’s programs.
• Collaborate with the MERL team in designing and strengthening digital data management systems.
• Support the development and review of impact evaluation plans for OHW programs.

Additional responsibilities

• Represent OHW in research forums, technical working groups, and learning platforms as required.
• Support the program teams in conceptualization and design of innovative ideas for future projects and funding opportunities.
• Perform other program/MERL related duties assigned by the supervisor.

Job Specifications:

Academic qualification and work experience (minimum requirements):

• Master’s degree in public health, health promotion and education, nursing or related field 
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in research and learning
• Proven experience in implementation research

Preferred: at least one peer-reviewed article in an indexed journal as a main author, and at least three papers as a co-author in peer-reviewed journals.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to summarize information in a clear and concise manner
• Excellent knowledge and skill in research design and implementation
• Knowledge and experience in the health care delivery system of Nepal
• Paper writing and publication 
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal communication (written and oral) skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis software (SPSS, R, STATA, NVivo, etc.)

WHAT WE VALUE

At OHW, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we understand the value of developing a team with different perspectives, educational backgrounds, and life experiences. We prioritize diversity within our team, and we welcome candidates from all gender identities, castes, religious practices, sexual orientations, and abilities – among many others. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for positions at OHW.

Application Procedures:

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are requested to visit the Application link and submit their application through the online portal by November 15, 2026.

OHW reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify the whole recruitment process and reject any/all applications without specifying any reasons whatsoever.