Job description

ISOOKO is an EU-funded international project (coordinated by King's) that develops, pilots and evaluates a socio-technical process and platform allowing communities to engage actively with digital content and each other. The aim of the platform is to provide a digital space to support peace education and reconciliation in societies emerging from conflict. The platform is based on the existing Ushahidi platform, and is being piloted in two countries recovering from civil conflict, Rwanda and Kenya. ISOOKO has been following a 'living labs' methodology based on co-creation and community involvement in participatory design and evaluation events. The project uses mixed methods methodologies and data analytics to investigate how user communities interact with and respond to the platform and to evaluate the impact of the project. The person appointed to the role will be the primary researcher on the King's team, responsible for:
Contributing to the design, execution and evaluation of the two pilots of the platform in Rwanda and Kenya.
Investigating the effectiveness and impact of the technologies for generating insights from the data generated by the pilots.
Leading on the analysis of the research data (qualitative and quantitative) and write up of research findings for EU deliverables and dissemination of results to academic (e.g. via academic journals) and non-academic audiences, in collaboration with other partners.
Participating in dissemination activities (e.g. at workshops or conferences) that publicise the project results to various audiences.

This is a 60% FTE fixed term contract until 30 September 2021.

Key responsibilities

• Undertake research and contribute to project deliverables in accordance with the project plan.
• Contribute to the design, execution and evaluation of the two pilots of the platform in Rwanda and Kenya. This will include attending some of the events in Rwanda and Kenya (if the current situation allows).
• Investigate the effectiveness and impact of the technologies for generating insights from the data generated by the pilots.
• Lead on the analysis of the research data (qualitative and quantitative) and write up of pilot research findings for EU deliverables and dissemination to academic (e.g. via academic journals) and non-academic audiences, in collaboration with other partners.
• Participate and contribute to dissemination activities (e.g. at workshops or conferences) that publicise the project results, to various audiences (e.g. academic, NGOs, the general public)
• Contribute to the broader aims and objectives of the project by participating in meetings, and writing reports and other documents.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• PhD awarded in a field relevant to the research project
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels
• Good standard of English, with excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to liaise with project partners within and outside of academia, including NGOs, members of the public, and community groups.
• Ability to evaluate alternative proposals and approaches
• Excellent planning, organisational and time management skills, with the ability to work independently, assess priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge and understanding of digital content and mobile technologies, although this need not be a highly technical one (i.e. it need not involve programming)
• A broad understanding of information systems and ICTs
• Knowledge of mixed methods methodologies
• Good publication record or potential for such

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of and/or interest in the culture and society of the east African region, especially Rwanda, Kenya, and/or Uganda.
• Demonstrable research expertise in a relevant area of applied computing or information science
• Experience of the use of informatics/ICTs in a development context.

This advertisement does not meet the requirements for a Certificate of Sponsorship under Home Office regulations and therefore the university will not be able to offer sponsorship for this role.