Unit:
Global Insights and Engagement (FSC)
Location:
Vienne (Austria)
Duration:
12 months with possible extension
About Us SOS Children's Villages, founded in 1949, is the world’s largest non-governmental organisation focused on supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it. Child neglect, abuse and abandonment is everywhere. Families are at risk of separation. We work in more than 130 countries and territories to strengthen families who are under pressure so they can stay together. When this is not in a child or young person’s best interests, we provide quality care according to their unique needs. Together with partners, donors, communities, children, young people and families, we enable children to grow up with the bonds they need to develop and become their strongest selves. We speak up for each child’s rights and advocate for change so all children can grow up in a supportive environment.
Mission The Global Insights and Engagement Pillar supports the Federation and Member Associations by turning global impact, data, and evidence into insights that strengthen decision-making, communication, advocacy, and shared learning across the federation, while advancing SOS Children's Villages’ collective voice and impact. It sets evidence and learning priorities, harvests practice-based knowledge and impactful innovations from Member Associations, and connects these with high-quality research, evaluation and global frameworks. By partnering with academic institutions and other stakeholders, it translates learning into shared standards, positions and scalable approaches that ensure programme relevance, enable programme change, inform advocacy efforts, advance care reform and improve outcomes for children and young people at risk or who have lost parental care, and their families and communities. Meaningful child and youth participation is embedded across this work, ensuring that children’s and young people’s lived experiences, perspectives and initiatives inform research, innovation, governance and advocacy processes, and contribute to more relevant, inclusive and impactful programmes.
Senior Research Advisor – Responsibilities
Identify and prioritise strategic research and evaluation themes in alignment with organisational objectives, global programme priorities, and opportunities for innovation and scale-up. Ensure that annual research priorities are clearly defined, coordinated, and formally approved.
Contribute to the design and implementation of high-quality research and evaluation initiatives, including multi-country and participatory studies, by overseeing project planning, budgeting, ethical compliance and the timely delivery of outputs and results.
Develop and manage strategic research partnerships and collaborative networks with academic institutions, expert organisations and peer INGOs to strengthen evidence generation, leverage external expertise and enhance organisational visibility and credibility.
Produce, review and contribute to high-level knowledge products, research outputs and policy briefs to ensure findings are translated into actionable recommendations, organisational learning and evidence-based advocacy messages.
Foster internal collaboration across departments, thematic units and regional offices to ensure research activities are effectively integrated into programme design, innovation initiatives and proposal development processes.
Support organisational learning by systematically capturing, synthesising and disseminating research findings and evaluation outcomes, while promoting their application in strategic decision-making, policy development, programme adaptation and continuous improvement processes.
Safeguarding and Safe Environment
Commit to the Code of Conduct and reflect on safeguarding implications of your work on an ongoing basis.
Actively participate in team discussions to identify risks and share and apply preventative and mitigation measures and strategies.
Integrate safeguarding principles into your daily decisions and tasks.
Report any safeguarding concerns promptly and in line with procedures.
Promote a values-based culture, accountability and zero tolerance of harm.
Requirements
Master’s degree, preferably in International Development, Psychology, Child Development, Education or Social Sciences such as Anthropology or Sociology.
5–8 years of relevant professional experience in research, evaluation, programme development or evidence generation within international development, child rights, social services or related sectors.
Willingness and availability to travel internationally up to 20% of the time.
EU work authorisation preferred.
Excellent command of English, written and spoken.
Desired proficiency in an additional SOS language, such as Spanish, French or Arabic.
Successful candidates will have to submit a criminal record certificate, current within the last three years.
Technical Skills
Strategic Research Planning and Oversight – advanced ability to define, coordinate and implement research agendas aligned with organisational priorities, innovation objectives and global programme needs.
Research Methodologies – advanced expertise in qualitative, participatory and mixed-methods research involving children and young people, including the design, supervision and quality assurance of complex multi-country studies and evaluations.
Research Partnership and Stakeholder Management – advanced experience establishing and managing strategic collaborations with academic institutions, peer organisations, technical experts and external partners to strengthen research quality, credibility and visibility.
Evidence-Informed Policy and Programme Influence – advanced ability to translate research findings into actionable recommendations that inform programme design, advocacy strategies, policy development and organisational decision-making.
Production and Quality Assurance of Knowledge Products – intermediate ability to support the development, editing and critical review of high-quality research outputs, including reports, policy briefs and knowledge products tailored to diverse audiences such as donors, practitioners and policymakers (desired).
Capacity Strengthening in Research and Evaluation – intermediate experience strengthening organisational research and evaluation capacities through training design, mentoring, coaching and institutional learning initiatives (desired).
Demonstrated thematic expertise in childhood, youth, family and relational child and youth care, child protection and social services for children without parental care or at risk of losing parental care (desired).
Other Competencies and Soft Skills
Strategic Thinking and Innovation – ability to connect research activities with broader strategic programme objectives, anticipate emerging trends and propose innovative approaches that support organisational impact and scaling.
Leadership and Team Coordination – capacity to lead, mentor and coordinate diverse teams and complex projects while fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing work environment.
Excellent Communication and Influencing Skills – ability to communicate complex research findings clearly and effectively to non-technical audiences, influence strategic discussions and decision-making processes, and represent the organisation externally with credibility.
Ability to work effectively across diverse cultural and regional contexts, demonstrating sensitivity to local dynamics, inclusion and power relations.
Comfortable operating in complex and evolving environments with the flexibility to adapt research approaches, priorities and leadership styles in response to changing organisational or contextual needs.
Ways of Working
Global collaboration and communication – working effectively across countries, cultures and time zones by maintaining clear communication, transparency and shared understanding within distributed teams.
Cross-functional collaboration – working closely with colleagues across different functions and areas of expertise to combine knowledge, solve problems collectively and deliver meaningful outcomes aligned with the organisation’s mission.
Effective collaboration within matrix structures – working constructively within solid and dotted reporting lines by maintaining open communication, aligning priorities with both line and functional managers and ensuring clarity on roles, responsibilities and expectations to support coordinated delivery across teams.
Flexibility and adaptability – remaining responsive to evolving contexts and adjusting priorities, approaches and ways of collaboration as projects, services or organisational demand evolve.
Ownership and accountability – taking responsibility for advancing tasks and initiatives, proactively addressing obstacles and ensuring that commitments, decisions and actions are carried through to completion, taking initiative within your scope of responsibility rather than waiting for direction.
Strengthening member associations and their autonomy – ensuring that knowledge, tools and lessons from projects and services are shared with member associations so they can learn from the work carried out and progressively strengthen their capacity and independence.
Continuous feedback and transparency – contributing to a culture where feedback and data are shared openly and constructively, enabling teams and stakeholders involved to reflect, learn and continuously improve their work and impact.
What We Stand For SOS Children's Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment, which promotes its core values and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation, be it within or outside our organisation, and always respond to any case of proven, alleged or attempted abuse within our sphere of influence according to its nature. Efforts ensure that mechanisms are in place to raise awareness, aid prevention, encourage reporting and ease response. They range from human resource development actions such as training and counselling to measures such as suspension, dismissal and legal action. SOS Children's Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a safe working environment for our staff, the children and young people and the communities that we work for. The organisation prohibits harassment, exploitation and abuses by or of any employee, supervisor, manager, child, young people, community, contractor, applicant or other individual with whom SOS Children's Villages employees come into contact by virtue of their work. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our prevention and protection against Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse policy.
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Global Insights and Engagement (FSC)
Location:
Vienne (Austria)
Duration:
12 months with possible extension
About Us SOS Children's Villages, founded in 1949, is the world’s largest non-governmental organisation focused on supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it. Child neglect, abuse and abandonment is everywhere. Families are at risk of separation. We work in more than 130 countries and territories to strengthen families who are under pressure so they can stay together. When this is not in a child or young person’s best interests, we provide quality care according to their unique needs. Together with partners, donors, communities, children, young people and families, we enable children to grow up with the bonds they need to develop and become their strongest selves. We speak up for each child’s rights and advocate for change so all children can grow up in a supportive environment.
Mission The Global Insights and Engagement Pillar supports the Federation and Member Associations by turning global impact, data, and evidence into insights that strengthen decision-making, communication, advocacy, and shared learning across the federation, while advancing SOS Children's Villages’ collective voice and impact. It sets evidence and learning priorities, harvests practice-based knowledge and impactful innovations from Member Associations, and connects these with high-quality research, evaluation and global frameworks. By partnering with academic institutions and other stakeholders, it translates learning into shared standards, positions and scalable approaches that ensure programme relevance, enable programme change, inform advocacy efforts, advance care reform and improve outcomes for children and young people at risk or who have lost parental care, and their families and communities. Meaningful child and youth participation is embedded across this work, ensuring that children’s and young people’s lived experiences, perspectives and initiatives inform research, innovation, governance and advocacy processes, and contribute to more relevant, inclusive and impactful programmes.
Senior Research Advisor – Responsibilities
Identify and prioritise strategic research and evaluation themes in alignment with organisational objectives, global programme priorities, and opportunities for innovation and scale-up. Ensure that annual research priorities are clearly defined, coordinated, and formally approved.
Contribute to the design and implementation of high-quality research and evaluation initiatives, including multi-country and participatory studies, by overseeing project planning, budgeting, ethical compliance and the timely delivery of outputs and results.
Develop and manage strategic research partnerships and collaborative networks with academic institutions, expert organisations and peer INGOs to strengthen evidence generation, leverage external expertise and enhance organisational visibility and credibility.
Produce, review and contribute to high-level knowledge products, research outputs and policy briefs to ensure findings are translated into actionable recommendations, organisational learning and evidence-based advocacy messages.
Foster internal collaboration across departments, thematic units and regional offices to ensure research activities are effectively integrated into programme design, innovation initiatives and proposal development processes.
Support organisational learning by systematically capturing, synthesising and disseminating research findings and evaluation outcomes, while promoting their application in strategic decision-making, policy development, programme adaptation and continuous improvement processes.
Safeguarding and Safe Environment
Commit to the Code of Conduct and reflect on safeguarding implications of your work on an ongoing basis.
Actively participate in team discussions to identify risks and share and apply preventative and mitigation measures and strategies.
Integrate safeguarding principles into your daily decisions and tasks.
Report any safeguarding concerns promptly and in line with procedures.
Promote a values-based culture, accountability and zero tolerance of harm.
Requirements
Master’s degree, preferably in International Development, Psychology, Child Development, Education or Social Sciences such as Anthropology or Sociology.
5–8 years of relevant professional experience in research, evaluation, programme development or evidence generation within international development, child rights, social services or related sectors.
Willingness and availability to travel internationally up to 20% of the time.
EU work authorisation preferred.
Excellent command of English, written and spoken.
Desired proficiency in an additional SOS language, such as Spanish, French or Arabic.
Successful candidates will have to submit a criminal record certificate, current within the last three years.
Technical Skills
Strategic Research Planning and Oversight – advanced ability to define, coordinate and implement research agendas aligned with organisational priorities, innovation objectives and global programme needs.
Research Methodologies – advanced expertise in qualitative, participatory and mixed-methods research involving children and young people, including the design, supervision and quality assurance of complex multi-country studies and evaluations.
Research Partnership and Stakeholder Management – advanced experience establishing and managing strategic collaborations with academic institutions, peer organisations, technical experts and external partners to strengthen research quality, credibility and visibility.
Evidence-Informed Policy and Programme Influence – advanced ability to translate research findings into actionable recommendations that inform programme design, advocacy strategies, policy development and organisational decision-making.
Production and Quality Assurance of Knowledge Products – intermediate ability to support the development, editing and critical review of high-quality research outputs, including reports, policy briefs and knowledge products tailored to diverse audiences such as donors, practitioners and policymakers (desired).
Capacity Strengthening in Research and Evaluation – intermediate experience strengthening organisational research and evaluation capacities through training design, mentoring, coaching and institutional learning initiatives (desired).
Demonstrated thematic expertise in childhood, youth, family and relational child and youth care, child protection and social services for children without parental care or at risk of losing parental care (desired).
Other Competencies and Soft Skills
Strategic Thinking and Innovation – ability to connect research activities with broader strategic programme objectives, anticipate emerging trends and propose innovative approaches that support organisational impact and scaling.
Leadership and Team Coordination – capacity to lead, mentor and coordinate diverse teams and complex projects while fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing work environment.
Excellent Communication and Influencing Skills – ability to communicate complex research findings clearly and effectively to non-technical audiences, influence strategic discussions and decision-making processes, and represent the organisation externally with credibility.
Ability to work effectively across diverse cultural and regional contexts, demonstrating sensitivity to local dynamics, inclusion and power relations.
Comfortable operating in complex and evolving environments with the flexibility to adapt research approaches, priorities and leadership styles in response to changing organisational or contextual needs.
Ways of Working
Global collaboration and communication – working effectively across countries, cultures and time zones by maintaining clear communication, transparency and shared understanding within distributed teams.
Cross-functional collaboration – working closely with colleagues across different functions and areas of expertise to combine knowledge, solve problems collectively and deliver meaningful outcomes aligned with the organisation’s mission.
Effective collaboration within matrix structures – working constructively within solid and dotted reporting lines by maintaining open communication, aligning priorities with both line and functional managers and ensuring clarity on roles, responsibilities and expectations to support coordinated delivery across teams.
Flexibility and adaptability – remaining responsive to evolving contexts and adjusting priorities, approaches and ways of collaboration as projects, services or organisational demand evolve.
Ownership and accountability – taking responsibility for advancing tasks and initiatives, proactively addressing obstacles and ensuring that commitments, decisions and actions are carried through to completion, taking initiative within your scope of responsibility rather than waiting for direction.
Strengthening member associations and their autonomy – ensuring that knowledge, tools and lessons from projects and services are shared with member associations so they can learn from the work carried out and progressively strengthen their capacity and independence.
Continuous feedback and transparency – contributing to a culture where feedback and data are shared openly and constructively, enabling teams and stakeholders involved to reflect, learn and continuously improve their work and impact.
What We Stand For SOS Children's Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment, which promotes its core values and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation, be it within or outside our organisation, and always respond to any case of proven, alleged or attempted abuse within our sphere of influence according to its nature. Efforts ensure that mechanisms are in place to raise awareness, aid prevention, encourage reporting and ease response. They range from human resource development actions such as training and counselling to measures such as suspension, dismissal and legal action. SOS Children's Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a safe working environment for our staff, the children and young people and the communities that we work for. The organisation prohibits harassment, exploitation and abuses by or of any employee, supervisor, manager, child, young people, community, contractor, applicant or other individual with whom SOS Children's Villages employees come into contact by virtue of their work. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our prevention and protection against Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse policy.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Kontaktdaten:
SOS Children's Villages International Recruiting-Team
