Manager-Research and Development

Job Description

Title: Manager-Research and Development

Company Name: Christian Service Society (CSS)

Vacancy: 01

Age: At most 40 years

Job Location: Khulna

Salary: Negotiable

Experience:

• At least 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Master’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Business Administration or a related field.

• Educational qualification will be relaxed in the case of highly potential candidates.

• At least 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Age At most 40 years

• Minimum 5 years of experience in research, product development, or program management.

• Age requirements will be relaxed for experienced candidates

• Able to learn new technologies, tools, and techniques quickly and with minimal supervision

• Good interpersonal communication& Leadership skills;

• Proven experience in program evaluation, impact assessment, and financial product design for low-income communities.

• Expertise in microfinance and knowledge of other development sectors (e.g., healthcare, education, disaster management) will be an advantage.

• Short-course or training on Research & Development will be given priority.

• Strong analytical skills with expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

• Proficiency in analytical skill, research reports and proposals writing in both Bangla and English.

Christian Service Society (CSS), a national NGO, has been implementing various projects and programs throughout the county for the well-being of the poor and disadvantaged. We are currently seeking an expert " Manager-Research and Development (R&D)” will primarily lead the research activities for CSS`s microfinance program while conducting research across the organization`s various sectors, including Education, Health, Economic Development, and Enterprise Development. The role requires designing innovative financial solutions, conducting research to ensure continuous improvement, and overseeing program development aligned with CSS`s broader mission of transforming lives through holistic services. The Manager-Research and Development will play a vital role in enhancing and enriching CSS’s interventions through constant R&D activities involving internal and external stakeholders, thus contributing to the organizational vision of holistic community development.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the team to prepare R&D strategic plan for the organization focusing on the scale-up and sustainability of microfinance and other programs.

• Develop research tools and frameworks (ToR, questionnaires, implementing plan etc.) aligned with the requirements of various sectors.

• Conduct research on financial inclusion trends, client needs, and best practices to improve the microfinance program.

• Provide research-based recommendations for developing and piloting innovative financial products, such as loans, savings, and insurance schemes tailored to community needs.

• Review the monitoring & implementing process, procedures and system and program performance metrics (e.g., loan repayment, social impact) and recommend actionable improvements.

• Networking and collaboration with external institutions to assess the socio-economic impact of microfinance initiatives.

• Lead the teams across various sectors (Education, Health, Economic Development, and Enterprise Development) to identify areas for research and development.

• Provide research-proven recommendations to enhance existing initiatives, ensuring sustainable impact.

• Coordinate with the PMEL team to ensure data collection, impact assessments, and progress evaluations align with program objectives.

• Prepare detailed reports for senior management summarizing R&D activities, outcomes, and recommendations after research completion.

• Help to generate ideas for new project proposals and strategic plans aligned with the organization`s goals and those of key stakeholders.

• Provide necessary information and data for fundraising, research-informed proposals, and grant applications.

• Build capacity of respective staff on research methodologies, product development, and financial inclusion trends.

• Share learning across the organization by sharing research insights and lessons from program evaluations.

• Establish platforms for cross-departmental knowledge sharing to leverage best practices from various programs.

• Participate at national and international forums and share CSS’s initiatives and research outcomes.

After being permanent upon successful completion of the probation period (six months), other benefits will be provided as per the organizational policy i.e., provident fund, gratuity, festival bonus, yearly increment, staff insurance (kormi Bima), medical allowance (Kormi Sohayota Tohobil) etc.