Research Operations Director

(Nairobi, Kenya)

Research Operations Director

GeoPoll is the pioneer in conducting remote research through mobile-based methodologies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. GeoPoll’s offerings provide humanitarian organizations, governments, and with high-quality data. Since its founding in 2005, GeoPoll has grown into a full-service, global organization covering all data collection modes that offer our clients best-in-class technology, research expertise, and local presence. We conduct over 4 million interviews annually through multiple mobile modes, including CATI, CAPI, web, and SMS, for UN agencies, NGOs, development implementers, universities, leading brands, and media companies. GeoPoll has conducted projects in over 120 countries in 99 languages with over 10,000 interviewers globally.

GeoPoll’s mission is to leverage the power of mobile phones to give global communities a voice in global development issues, consumer products, and more. Our global teamwork works together to collect vital information for clients who range from small NGOs to multi-lateral development organizations and global consumer goods brands. Our core values include Respect, Problem Solving, Being Customer Oriented, Honesty & Integrity, Being Team Players, and Seeking Continuous Improvement.

The GeoPoll team consists of a global team of specialists in research, technology, and international development. We have offices in Washington, DC, Denver, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and additional team members working remotely in multiple countries.

About the position

We are seeking an experienced Research Operations Director based in Nairobi, Kenya to lead a dynamic team of researchers. In this role, you will oversee a portfolio of research projects across various countries, which are led by GeoPoll project managers. The Research Operations Director will also have responsibility for directly overseeing larger projects; these are projects utilizing a mix of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including CATI, CAPI, SMS, mobile web, IDIs, and FGDs.

As a change agent, you will enhance our organizational technical competencies and support the professional growth of your team. Your technical and management expertise will be crucial in staffing projects effectively, ensuring that each team is equipped with the right mix of skills for success. You will also play a key role in identifying training needs, managing project commitments, and driving process improvements to boost team effectiveness. 

About you

You should be a collaborative leader with a strong background in primary data collection for research purposes and project management. Your experience includes overseeing diverse teams and managing multiple projects simultaneously. You possess a deep understanding of survey design and implementation in low- and middle-income countries, enabling you to guide your team effectively. You are committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development, and you thrive in a fast-paced, international environment.

Responsibilities

  1. People Management
  • Resource Allocation: Responsible for resource allocation of staff to projects, ensuring project teams have the right mix of skill levels needed for success, including managing staff leave and backups.
  • Professional Development: Help team members achieve their full potential, by creating, monitoring, and supporting professional development plans, including skills assessments. Onboard new team members.
  • Performance management: Conduct performance reviews, provide feedback to staff, and link development needs with resources for professional development.
  • Financial oversight: Provide oversight for financial performance of projects.
  1. Project Leadership

Lead selected projects end-to-end. Projects include CATI, CAPI, Web, and SMS projects for international development, social sector, and commercial projects. Responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring timely and on-budget completion of deliverables aligned to the scope of work
  • Project management, including overseeing technical staff, managing data collection subcontractors, client communication, and managing financials, schedule, quality, and risk
  • Client communication, engagement, and feedback
  • Conduct and oversee staff with technical tasks, including questionnaire development, training, data collection, quality control, data management, and reporting.
  1. Internal Initiatives

Lead cross-cutting initiatives to enhance GeoPoll’s capabilities, quality, and efficiency, such as identifying opportunities for automation of tasks or operation or enhancing technical quality of work. Identify these cross-cutting initiatives, develop plans, oversee initiatives, roll out initiatives, monitor, and refine.

  1. Project and Proposal Support
  • Provide technical support to project teams as needed, particularly regarding questionnaire development, training, data collection, quality control, data, and reporting.
  • Support GeoPoll’s business development team by providing technical inputs into selected proposals.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences or similar field is required. An advanced degree is preferable.
  • Minimum ten (10) years’ experience in survey research roles, with a minimum of 2 years’ experience serving in a people management role.
  • People management: Demonstrated experience serving as an administrative supervisor, including coaching, mentoring, providing feedback, problem solving, and actively supporting professional development.
  • Project management: Demonstrated experience managing survey research projects, including overseeing technical staff, managing data collection subcontractors, client communication, and managing financials, schedule, quality, and risk.
  • Technical skills: Experience with all tasks in the survey lifecycle, including questionnaire development, training, data collection, quality control, data management, data analysis, and reporting. A successful candidate will be familiar with all of these tasks, and have expertise in several of these tasks.
  • Excellent advanced problem-solving skills, organizational and communication abilities.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
  • Demonstrated commitment to GeoPoll’s core values of Respect, Problem Solving, Being Customer Oriented, Honesty & Integrity, Being Team Players, and Seeking Continuous Improvement 

Equal employment opportunity statement 

GeoPoll is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, tribe, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications and merit.  

To apply 

Please submit your CV and cover letter (as a single file with your name as the file name) to [email protected] with the job title: Research Operations Director in the subject line. Position will be open until filled.

Learn more about GeoPoll at: https://www.geopoll.com