Lead Researcher
Read the Guidelines and Qualifications Carefully Before Applying:
To ensure your application is complete and stands out, please review the provided guidelines and required qualifications thoroughly before submitting. Meeting these requirements is crucial for consideration in the selection process.
To apply for the Research Lead position at SmartGov, please submit your updated resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience, qualifications, and interest in this role. Be sure to include specific examples of your expertise in spearheading research, and policy papers, working with government administration, fiscal transparency and delivering impactful results. Applications should be submitted no later than the deadline, via jobs@smartgov.tech
We use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to shortlist ideal candidates. Please ensure your CV and cover letter are in PDF format and optimized to be ATS-friendly. Use the subject line: Research Lead - Job Application when submitting your application.
Shortlisted applicants will be notified within two weeks of the closing date. If you have not been contacted by SmartGov's team after this period, it means your application has not been shortlisted.
Values:
At SmartGov, we are committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by SmartGov's recruitment policy and code of conduct. Our inclusive recruitment practices ensure every candidate is evaluated solely on their skills, experience, and potential to contribute to our mission. If you strongly meet the qualifications required, Join us in shaping a future where innovation and inclusivity go hand in hand.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Research Leadership & Strategy
- Develop and implement a comprehensive research framework focusing on fiscal filing and archiving systems within the Lebanese government.
- Allocate 80% of research efforts to assessing current practices, identifying challenges, and benchmarking against international best practices.
- Provide detailed, action-oriented recommendations to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in fiscal governance.
- Ensure research outputs align with SmartGov’s mission of fostering transparency and modernization in public administration.
2. Team Supervision & Collaboration
- Lead and mentor a team of three research assistants, ensuring effective task allocation, progress monitoring, and professional development.
- Maintain a collaborative team environment that fosters innovation and high-quality output.
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing within the team and across SmartGov’s broader research and operational units.
3. Stakeholder Engagement & Benchmarking
- Engage with government officials, NGOs, and international experts to collect primary data and contextual insights.
- Benchmark Lebanese fiscal practices against international best practices in filing and archiving.
- Conduct stakeholder workshops and meetings to present findings and incorporate feedback.
4. Data Analysis & Reporting
- Lead qualitative and quantitative data analysis to identify inefficiencies, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
- Produce high-quality reports, policy briefs, and assessments with clear, actionable recommendations.
- Present research findings to SmartGov leadership, donors, and key stakeholders.
5. Additional Research Areas (20% of Role)
- Spearhead additional research projects as directed by SmartGov’s leadership, exploring emerging themes in governance, technology, and civic innovation.
- Contribute to thought leadership by drafting blog posts and articles that align with SmartGov’s mission and goals.
- Collaborate with communications teams to ensure insights are disseminated effectively across various platforms.
6. Knowledge Sharing & Best Practices
- Translate research findings into practical strategies that drive organizational and sector-wide improvements.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure research aligns with broader SmartGov objectives.
- Support knowledge-sharing initiatives through public presentations, workshops, and published content.
7. Monitoring & Evaluation
- Develop tools to monitor the impact of research recommendations and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
- Evaluate ongoing research initiatives to refine methodologies and enhance impact.
Qualifications:
- A Master’s degree or higher in Public Policy, Social Sciences, Finance, Data Science, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in leading research projects, with a focus on governance and policy analysis.
- Proven expertise in fiscal governance, archival systems, and benchmarking against global best practices.
- Strong proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R, or Python) and qualitative research methods.
- Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality policy briefs and actionable recommendations for diverse audiences.
- Experience managing research teams and meeting project deadlines.
- Background in working with government institutions, NGOs, or international organizations is an asset.
- Commitment to SmartGov’s values of transparency, accountability, and social impact.
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with agile research methodologies and behavioral insights in public policy.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience producing thought leadership content such as blog posts or public presentations.
- PhD Degree is a plus
NOTE:
Daleel Madani, the civil society network, serves as a platform for organisations to post their professional opportunities, but is not involved in the recruitment process. The hiring organisation is solely responsible for the job and candidate selection.
- Lebanon