Researcher: Urban Poverty and Informality (G4 full/part time)
London, UK (with options for sponsorship for overseas candidates to work in the UK)
The closing deadline for applications is 14th July 2022

Home working in any country outside the UK may be considered, given that the candidate has the right to work in that country and the pay and benefits package will depend on the country where the successful candidate lives/works.

The Organisation

The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) is a policy and action research organisation promoting sustainable development and linking local priorities to global challenges. We are based in London and work on five continents with some of the world’s most vulnerable people to strengthen their voice in the decision-making arenas that affect them. With more than 150 members of staff working with associates and partners around the world, IIED has been at the forefront of evidence-based policymaking in sustainable development for over 50 years.

This is a permanent, full/part time role based in the Human Settlements Group, which has worked on urban environmental and poverty issues since the 1970s aiming to support more equitable and sustainable development in urban centres in low- and middle-income countries. Our poverty focus is vital and informs everything we do because people on very low incomes, living in slums or squatter settlements, are the most vulnerable to environmental challenges.

We are now seeking a Researcher to join our Human Settlements Group on a permanent, full-time basis. We are also happy to discuss part-time working arrangements between three and five days per week.


The Benefits

- A salary of between £41,031 - £50,976 per annum
- 25 days' annual leave per year, increasing annually up to 30 days’ for full-time staff with 10 years' service
- 7.5% employer's pension contributions to the IIED pension scheme
- A range of flexible working options for all employees after a qualifying period
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption policies
- An employee protection scheme offering a flexible menu of benefits such as life insurance, spouse and partner life cover, critical illness and/or income protection cover

The full range of benefits can be found on our website.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced, high-calibre research professional, looking for the opportunity to continue their work on urban poverty with a globally renowned international development organisation.

We work with a range of leading development actors including international organisations, national governments and local organisations. This position is an unparalleled opportunity to exponentially increase your network and gain professional exposure, as your research co-ordination shapes our projects across sub-Saharan Africa.

So, if you have the research experience to drive our development programmes on the international stage and have been looking for an opportunity to have a real impact on the ground, this is the perfect role for you.

The Role

As a Researcher, you will identify and develop research themes and policy opportunities that will contribute to our work on urban poverty and informality in cities on a warming planet theme.

Working closely with our established research partners in Zimbabwe, you will design and co-produce large research projects and small research programmes on complex urban challenges, community-led basic services and/or social protection interventions.

Utilising your networking capacities, you will develop and build strategic partnerships with a range of external local and international organisations as well as potential funding donors.

Additionally, you will:

- Co-ordinate projects from start to completion, including project budgets and donor financial reporting
- Manage the delivery of outputs by project partners
- Manage partner and subcontractor relationships

About You

To be considered a Researcher, you will need:

- Relevant experience of working with partners on urban research in low- and middle-income countries
- Evidence of a productive research background including undertaking research for advocacy and impact
- Experience of organising and delivering remote and in-person seminars and workshops
- Evidence of successfully preparing funding proposals from a range of donors
- Advanced knowledge of Office software and quantitative data analysis software
- The ability to draft, manage and monitor budgets
- Excellent English communication skills
- Excellent project and/or programme management and collaboration skills
- Strong interpersonal skills across a variety of cultures and backgrounds
- The willingness to travel overseas commensurate with project requirements
- A postgraduate degree in development studies, urban studies or urban planning

Ideally, you will have a PhD (or equivalent work experience) in a related discipline, or commensurate experience, that has equipped you with knowledge of social protection research and literature, qualitative and quantitative data analysis and participatory research methodologies in Southern Africa.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates who have substantial experience of applying an intersectional lens to research and working in partnership with local organisations to co-produce research that promotes social justice.

It would be highly beneficial to have professional experience of developing research uptake and communications strategies, including leading and presenting in major global forums such as WUF and CoP.

Other organisations might call this position Urban Poverty Researcher, Developing Economies Researcher, Quantitative Researcher, Qualitative Researcher, Mixed Methodologies Researcher, Social Scientist, Policy Analyst, or Research Associate.

IIED is a committed Disability Confident and accredited Living Wage employer, committed to equal opportunities and the highest standards of diversity, fairness and equality.

So, if you’re ready to co-ordinate our research programmes as a Researcher, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.