Research Fellow in Sanitation and Gender

We are now recruiting a Research Fellow focusing on sanitation and gender. The position presents an opportunity to join an internationally leading research institute and contribute to a growing and dynamic research environment. As part of the Sanitation and Health Team within the Resources, Rights and Development Division, the Research Fellow will take a leadership role in SEI’s work in sanitation and gender, which is expected to continue to expand and develop. As part of this work, there will be opportunities to engage with projects across SEI’s portfolio of research with SEI centres around the world. A key focus of this role is further developing our programme of work related to health and development.
The project portfolio includes a Formas-funded research project developing tools for measuring women’s empowerment in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), including field studies and theoretical work. The role will also contribute to research and policy engagement activities in Bolivia WATCH – or WASH Thinking Connected to Hydrology – a Sida-funded project that aims to connect watershed management with WASH.
Under SEI Strategy 2020–24, this role corresponds to Impact Areas: Improved Health and Well-being and Sustainable Resource Use and Resilient Ecosystems and focuses on numerous Priorities for Change, including sanitation solutions that are sustainable, healthy and productive are widely scaled up, city planning that improves well-being and environmental health and safer and more effective waste management and circular systems. Meeting these priorities will require new efforts and a deepened focus on topic areas such as gender equality, social equity and poverty, planetary health and approaches for transformative WASH.
Key duties and responsibilities
Contribute to ongoing theoretical and empirical research on women’s empowerment in the WASH sector, including case studies making connections to health, livelihoods and wellbeing (Formas-funded project)
Contribute to research and policy engagement activities in Bolivia WATCH
Represent SEI and contribute to policy engagement in water and sanitation networks (SuSanA annual meeting, World Water Week, Sanitation and Water for All)
Design research plans, such as developing research questions and data collection tools (questionnaires, household surveys, interview guides) and conduct training and field visits (when travel is possible)
Conduct data analysis (write code for quantitative analysis of collected data and other secondary data sets)
Lead and contribute to proposal development in the Sanitation and Health Team, such as writing proposals and helping to coordinate small partner consortia
Lead and contribute to research publication writing in the Sanitation and Health Team
Work with communication node to develop other outputs such as policy briefs or website pieces.

Who you are
We are looking for a person with a passion for empowerment and transformative approaches to development, particularly focused in the WASH sector. This may be from a range of expertise areas such as development studies, geography, public/global health, sustainability science or similar. Applicants with a strong research and policy engagement background related to water and sanitation, gender equality and social equity, and/or global health are encouraged to apply.
In addition, you also have experience of developing new ideas for research and pursuing these with a range of Swedish and/or international funders. You are also capable of managing and coordinating multi-partner projects, including budget management and financial reporting, project team leadership and funder and consortium relations. We warmly welcome applications from individuals with a passion for contributing to and building networks of innovative researchers and practitioners.
Formal qualifications and knowledge
PhD in development studies, geography, public/global health or equivalent with a strong background in one or more of the following: water and sanitation, empowerment, gender and social inclusion, and/or global health, with a strong theoretical underpinning
3-5 years of relevant work experience
Strong quantitative analytical research skills, preferably including data management and statistical analysis of datasets
Publication record in your area(s) of expertise and experience in proposal development
Documented experience in science to policy translation
Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Personal skills
Highly motivated and able to work in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work independently, on your own initiative and in a team
Methodical, systematic and goal-oriented approach
Capacity to familiarize yourself quickly with new topics and explore new areas of research across fields
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build good working relationships with colleagues and partners

How to apply
We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis, so please submit your application as soon as possible, but no later than 10 November 2021, 23:59 Stockholm local time.
Applications should be written in English and consist of a short CV and cover letter (maximum 1 page).
As we only accept applications through our recruitment system, please apply online using the button below and include:
cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications and experience
curriculum vitae.

You do not need to be a Swedish or EU citizen nor have a work/residence permit in order to apply for a job at SEI HQ.
Questions?
Inquiries concerning the content of the position can be directed to Sarah Dickin, Team Leader Sanitation and Health (sarah.dickin@sei.org).