Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 2019.
Application Instructions
Qualified candidates are requested to apply to OCDC Research Group at ResearchGroup@www.ocdc.coop with the reference “RG Researcher Roster_last name”.
Applications should include:
– Cover letter (include your proposed daily rate), CV, 1 writing sample (relevant publications preferred).
– Contact details for 3 references.
The OCDC International Cooperative Research Group is inviting applications from highly qualified Research Analysts and Statistical Analysts with research experience and practical expertise in or applicable to cooperatives and cooperative development in developing countries. Demonstrated knowledge is required in at least one of the following areas:
– Cooperative business performance
– Cooperative governance
– Cooperative enabling environment
– Community-based development
– Gender inclusion
– Inclusive economic development
Through rigorous research and evidence building, selected Research Analysts will assist OCDC’s Research Group and member Cooperative Development Organizations (CDOs) to develop evidence in specific areas of interest in order to expand knowledge of cooperative development and contribute to effective international cooperative development programming.
Qualified applicants will be included in OCDC’s Vetted Research Analysts Roster for a period of 2 years. Inclusion in the researcher roster does not guarantee a contract with OCDC.
About OCDC and Research Group of the OCDC
OCDC, the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council, brings together eight organizations committed to building a more prosperous world through cooperatives. Its mission is to champion, advocate, and promote effective international cooperative development. Our members’ international activities are powered by grants from the Cooperative Development Program of USAID as well as other funding sources. Working individually and as one, we together promote sustainability and self-reliance through cooperatives and local ownership.
The International Cooperative Research Group (Research Group) is a division of OCDC, and its purpose is to develop evidence and create knowledge about effective cooperative developing in developing countries. Its research is designed around two predominant lines of work: (1) establishing evidence of the usefulness and impact of cooperative development for poverty alleviation and inclusive economic growth; and (2) understanding more deeply the environments and conditions in which cooperatives flourish – or fail to flourish – so as to advance the economic and social well-being of their members.
Focused on issues related to the impact and effectiveness of cooperatives in developing countries and emerging markets, the Research Group designs, directly undertakes, and partners with academic and practitioner organizations and experts to carry out rigorous research that helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice. It also fosters a learning community within OCDC and provides resources and information related to cooperative development to OCDC members and to the broader international cooperative and development community.
Roles and Responsibilities
Research Analysts will assist the Research Group in developing knowledge through rigorous research, developing training and tools to increase effectiveness of cooperatives and cooperative development in developing countries. The range of research topics that would be expected to be examined by a Research Analyst will depend on Research Group’s and OCDC member CDO’s needs and priorities, and may include illustratively:
On cooperative business performance:
– Adapting to and harnessing technology – how can operations become more efficient and sustainable
– What do buyers want from cooperatives? – agriculture related to value chains
– Challenges of member equity and strategies to address them – agriculture with subsistence farmer members
– Challenges and opportunities for new equity mechanisms – electricity, housing, agriculture
– What is the key to ensuring the enabling environment reaches operations on the ground
– Ethical business practices and coop values as opportunity for coops to increase market share?
– Factors affecting cooperative business performance
On cooperative enabling environment:
– Evidence gathering regarding the benefits of cooperatives/cooperative business model? – services and resources
– What costs and benefits arise from serving the “last mile”? – electricity and health sectors
– Characteristics of successful models – relationship between operations and environment
– Role of social capital in cooperative performance
On greater support for cooperatives:
– Deeper understanding of the penetration of cooperatives and how that is facilitated or impeded, role of leadership; role of policy
– Effective strategies for engagement of youth – communications and technology approaches
– Creation of greater agency for women – dynamics, opportunities and obstacles
– Donor policies supporting effective programming
– Exit strategies that ensure sustainability
– Impact evaluation.
Specific duties and responsibilities as well as reporting and working relationships will vary according to each assignment and will always be specified at the time of contracting.
Profile of Research Analyst
*Qualifications may vary by project
– A minimum of a master’s degree and five years relevant experience. A PhD is preferred and may be required for some assignments in combination with five years relevant experience. A combination of practical on-the-ground experience in developing countries and emerging markets with research and analysis skills demonstrated through professional papers and/or published research.
– For some assignments, strong methodological, sampling and statistical analysis skills will be required.
– For some assignments, in-depth experience with qualitative research methods including but not limited to focus groups, in-person interviews and story-telling
– Ability to work independently/remotely as well as a member of a team, good organizational skills, and a demonstrated record of meeting deliverable timelines.
Evaluation Criteria
An evaluation of all applications will be conducted, based on a balanced assessment of candidates’ qualifications and competencies as specified above, and including:
– Knowledge of cooperatives and cooperative development
– Knowledge of international development
– Field experience in developing countries and emerging markets combined with demonstrated research and analytical skills
– Research publication records
– Education background.
Additional Information
Consulting Arrangements:
Successful candidates will be included in OCDC’s Vetted Roster for Research Analyst in International Cooperative Development for a period of 2 years. Inclusion in the researcher roster does not guarantee a contract with OCDC.
When a need for research services arises, the Research Group shall:
– Select at least three qualified researchers from the roster.
– Send a scope of work for the project to the selected researchers with a request to confirm availability and submit a cost proposal.
– Depending on the project, a short proposal outlining the proposed approach to the scope of work may be required.
– Review the submissions and select a researcher(s) for the project.
– Issue an individual contract(s) to the researcher(s) detailing deliverables, contract term, and frequency and methods of payments.
Project location: varies and may be home-based, in OCDC’s Washington, DC or CDO headquarter offices (greater metropolitan Washington DC area and elsewhere in the US), or in overseas, primarily where the Research Group and the member CDOs are implementing cooperative development activities.
Contract type: expected to be a fixed price based on level of efforts and period of performance.
Contract duration: varies from a few days to several months depending on the project.