Social Scientist - Behaviour and Choice

SEI is recruiting a highly motivated Research Fellow with a strong background in Social Sciences. The successful candidate will have a background in a social science such as behavioural science, sociology, anthropology, or psychology. He/she will play a key role in helping expand SEI’s work on behaviour and choice in low income countries, including prototyping and testing new methods and tools for understanding behavioural drivers at different levels of society, and developing an analytical framework for understanding multi-level influences on behaviour. The candidate will also contribute to SEI’s work building relationships with key stakeholders, including national level policy makers, development organisations, local partners, research funders and academic collaborators.

The candidate will work primarily as part of a team developing the SEI Initiative on Behaviour and Choice. This research initiative aims to generate insights on the drivers of behaviour and choice related to the uptake of technologies and innovations at the local level (in households and communities) in low income countries. The findings are intended to inform the design and delivery of interventions that depend on individuals changing their behaviour, for instance improved household energy solutions or innovative technologies for small-holder agriculture. The work entails designing and executing applied research, including stakeholder consultation, fieldwork (several weeks per year), and analysis and producing publications. With time, it is expected that the candidate will develop and lead his/her own research portfolio in collaboration with SEI colleagues.

Key responsibilities include

• Lead and design research work in the area of behaviour and choice in low-income countries;
• Collect data in the field in low-income countries;
• Develop high-quality written outputs (SEI branded reports, scientific papers, and other media channels);
• Contribute to and, over time, lead the development of new projects / fund-raising;
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders, networking, workshop organisation.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have a social science background in areas such as economics, behavioural science, sociology, anthropology, or psychology, with a record of scientific publications and proposal writing. He/she is a skilled and engaging communicator with a demonstrated ability to present ideas and insights in a captivating way, with a strong network of contacts relevant to the Behaviour and Choice Initiative and international development.

We are looking for a curious, creative and analytical colleague, who enjoys problem solving, possesses the ability to switch perspectives, and is capable of seeing a problem from many angles at the same time. He/she is a systems thinker who excels when working in an interdisciplinary team.

Key qualifications

• At least a Master’s level degree in social sciences (e.g. behavioural science, sociology, anthropology, psychology or economics) with at least five years working experience. We also encourage applicants with a PhD;
• Demonstrated experience from designing research or working with qualitative methods in a systematic way;
• Demonstrated experience from working in low income countries;
• Demonstrated ability to work at multiple levels (household, local, national, international);
• Ability to work independently and deliver high quality outputs;
• Demonstrated experience interacting with a range of stakeholders (from government officials to development partners, academics and end-users) in various socio-cultural settings;
• Excellent English, both written and spoken, including demonstrated experience writing published reports and/or other types of texts.

Desirable qualifications

• Experience leading a team and coordinating large multi-partner projects;
• Experience facilitating workshops.

Information

Following a preselection of applications, candidates will complete a short written assignment, which will be sent by email, to demonstrate their suitability for the post.

Application

Applications must be submitted online using the Apply now button below. The application requires a CV and a cover letter that includes the names and contact details of three referees. Applications must be written in English and arrive at SEI as soon as possible but no later than 2016-03-20.

Inquiries

Inquiries concerning the content of the position can be directed Louise Karlberg, Head of Resources and Development unit (louise.karlberg@sei-international.org) or Fiona Lambe, Research Fellow ( fiona.lambe@sei-international.org) or The Union at SEI Stockholm which is represented in this recruitment process by Marie Jürisoo ( marie.jurisoo@sei-international.org).