Research Manager

About the role

The Research Manager (RM) leads the delivery of a portfolio of research projects, ensuring scientific rigor, timely execution, and compliance with donor and Ugandan regulatory requirements. Working closely with Principal Investigators, project teams, and implementing partners, the RM oversees the full research lifecycle from design to close‑out.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately five research projects, monitoring status, priorities, and risks.
• Lead day‑to‑day project management from start‑up through analysis, dissemination, and close‑out.
• Develop realistic workplans, schedules, staffing plans, procurement needs, and risk registers.
• Identify delays or bottlenecks early and implement mitigation plans.
• Coordinate with Finance, Grants, HR, Operations, Procurement and other support functions.
• Maintain accurate project information in IPA management systems and ensure timely delivery of technical and narrative reports.
• Provide technical oversight of sampling, randomisation, survey instruments, field protocols, piloting, survey programming, data collection, monitoring and data‑quality systems.

Required profile

• Experience overseeing the full research lifecycle, from design to close‑out.
• Proven ability to manage project budgets, timelines and stakeholder expectations.
• Familiarity with Ugandan regulatory and ethical approval processes.

Required skills

• Survey programming
• Data management
• Project management