Young Lives Policy Coordinator (Job Code: YLPC)
 Save the Children (Young Lives project)
 Location: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
 Last Date: August 25, 2010
 Email: jobs@savethechildren.in (Reference: DevNetJobsIndia.org)

Young Lives is an innovative long-term international research project investigating the changing nature of childhood poverty. Young Lives is a collaborative partnership between the University of Oxford (Department of International Development), Save the Children and other research organisations in the UK and the four study countries.

The Young Lives project seeks to:
• improve understanding of the causes and consequences of childhood poverty and to examine how policies affect children’s well-being
• inform the development and implementation of future policies and practices that will reduce childhood poverty

Young Lives is tracking the development of 12,000 children in Ethiopia, India (Andhra Pradesh), Peru and Vietnam through quantitative and qualitative research over a 15-year period. Since 2002, we have been following two groups of children:
• 2000 children in each country who were aged between 6 months and 17 months in 2002
• 1000 children in each country aged between 7.5 years old and 8.5 years old in 2002.

The project is unique in that it directly links evidence-based research to policymakers and planners, and is engaging in policy influencing work both in the study countries and internationally. The research results, therefore, are being used to make a real difference to the quality of children's lives.

Young Lives is a collaborative research project involving universities and other academic research institutes, government institutes, policy think tanks and an international NGO (Save the Children in the 4 study countries. The Young Lives project consists of a dedicated and ambitious team working across disciplines including anthropology, child nutrition and health, economics, education, medical science, political science, psychology, sociology, statistics, policy influencing and research communication.

The Policy Coordinator will work in a small team based within Save the Children in Hyderabad. S/he will report to the State Programme Manager for Andhra Pradesh, for Save the Children AP office India and will liaise closely with the Young Lives Country Director for India, the Communications Coordinator (based in Delhi), Senior Policy Officer (based in Oxford, UK) and with a peer group of Young Lives Policy Coordinators in the other study countries (Ethiopia, Peru and Vietnam). S/he will also work in close conjunction with the quantitative research team (led by the Principal Investigator, based at the Centre for Economic and Social Sciences, CESS) and the qualitative research team (based at SPMVV).

Key areas of responsibility
1. Lead on the planning and implementation of the Young Lives policy work in India. This will involve working closely with the Communications Coordinator (based in Delhi), the Country Director and other colleagues and with the Senior Policy Officer (based in Oxford) and other colleagues, maintaining awareness of the policy environment in AP and India, building networks and maintaining close relationships with key policy stakeholders, using a range of policy influencing tools to engage with policymakers at state, national and international level

2. Support the development of specific policy orientated outputs based on Young Lives research findings and outputs, as mutually agreed through the country plan and related deliverables. Serve as an bridge between the research analysis and output and current and potential policy stakeholders in India.

2. Work closely with the Young Lives team to ensure the effective implementation of the Young Lives communications and engagement strategy, including developing and using a range of tools to ensure that all aspects of Young Lives work is communicated in appropriate ways to different stakeholders in AP.

3. Keep abreast of key trends in national and state government policy and the policy environment in relation to health, child protection, education, and social protection, drawing comparisons internationally and across the Young Lives study countries as appropriate.

4. Networking and relationship-building to actively seek opportunities to build awareness and engagement with Young Lives.

5. Support Young Lives researchers to ensure that community reciprocity activities are developed and that the findings of our research are fed back to our study children and their communities in a timely and appropriate way. Developing and maintaining long-term relationships of mutual trust and respect is an integral part of the ethical approach of Young Lives.

6. Work closely and facilitate regular communication with the Principal Investigator, Lead Qualitative Researcher and other Young Lives staff and partners in India, as well as across the wider international team.

7. Work closely with staff in Save the Children India to ensure Young Lives research and policy analysis is fed into Save the Children programmes and knowledge management processes, and vice versa.

8. As a budget holder, the Policy Coordinator has responsibility for authorising expenditure, monitoring the budget, ensuring grant compliance in procurement, and financial reporting, all set within the project’s budget, and Save the Children guidelines.

9. Manage any direct reports or consultants, ensuring that work plans and workload are regularly reviewed, and appropriate line-management support is given.

10. Lead the implementation of the policy component of the monitoring and evaluation framework, the collection of M&E data and reporting for the policy and communications work of Young Lives in AP.

Person specification

Essential
ü Masters degree in an area related to social policy, development studies, economics or one of the other disciplines relevant to Young Lives
ü A minimum of five years policy analysis and policy influencing skills and experience
Strong understanding of research, the policy implications of research and the use of various types of research outputs to inform broader policy debates
ü Broad-based knowledge of key development issues and the policy/institutional environment in Andhra Pradesh and India
ü Good understanding of poverty and its impact on children
ü Experience of communicating research and policy findings through a variety of media and using a variety of techniques
ü Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Hindi Good written and verbal communications skills in Telugu
ü Sound financial and human resources management skills
ü Experience of strategic planning and the ability to turn plans into practical action
ü Attention to detail and ability to prioritise work in order to meet competing deadlines
ü Ability to use initiative and to work with minimal supervision
ü A team player with energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to children’s development
ü Excellent networking and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work with people at all levels of seniority and from different backgrounds
ü Willingness to travel (nationally and internationally)

Desirable
ü Experience in working with poor communities particularly with children
ü NGO or academic research experience in a related area.

Child Protection Policy
Working for Save the Children means a commitment to the principles of the Convention of the Rights of the Child and to SC-UK’s work on children’s rights. The conduct of staff in relation to children will be measured against the professional and ethical standards described in the Child Protection Policy & Child Safeguarding document (this will be made available upon appointment)

Terms and conditions
ü Salary scale: A competitive package according to Save the Children India’s salary scale, and standard terms and conditions is offered in line with the demanding nature of the job
ü Contract duration: 2 years initially (may be extended dependent on job performance and continued funding of Young Lives)
ü Post status: Full-time (PROJECT)
ü Location: This post will be based in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, with frequent domestic and occasional international travel.

Interested candidates with desired skills and background may apply. Candidates should mention the job code in the subject line and send their CV as an attachment at jobs@savethechildren.in

Save the Children aims to be an equal opportunity employer. Women candidates are encouraged to apply. Recruitment and selection procedures & checks reflect our commitment to protect children from abuse.