At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research strategies and turn data into compelling evidence for community-driven work.
- Company: Join Afrikindness, a passionate organisation dedicated to social impact and community empowerment.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, enhance your skills, and contribute to meaningful change in communities.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid role with opportunities for knowledge sharing and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by proving what works and improving lives through research.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in research and strong understanding of methodologies required.
Lead Afrikindness's research and impact strategy as Volunteer Head of Research. Design evaluation frameworks, measure outcomes, and turn data into compelling evidence. Perfect for research professionals who want to strengthen community-driven work with robust evidence and learning.
What difference will you make? Funders, partners, and beneficiaries increasingly demand evidence of impact. Your research leadership will help Afrikindness prove what works, learn what doesn't, secure funding, and continuously improve. You'll turn stories into data, data into insight, and insight into greater impact for the families we serve.
What are we looking for?
- Essential
- Senior experience in research, evaluation, monitoring & evaluation (M&E), or impact measurement
- Strong understanding of research methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods)
- Experience designing and delivering evaluations or impact studies
- Data analysis skills and the ability to translate findings into actionable recommendations
- Knowledge of participatory and community-based research approaches
- Commitment to ethical research practice and safeguarding
- Excellent written communication and ability to produce clear, compelling reports
- Passion for social impact and community empowerment
- Desirable
- Charity or nonprofit sector research experience
- Academic research background (MSc, PhD in social sciences, public health, or related field)
- Experience with data visualisation tools (Tableau, Power BI, etc.)
- Knowledge of the theory of change, logic models, and programme evaluation frameworks
- Grant application or funding proposal experience
- Understanding of equalities, diversity, and intersectionality in research
What will you be doing?
- Research Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and lead Afrikindness's research and impact measurement strategy
- Design monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks for programmes
- Advise leadership and trustees on research priorities, methodologies, and ethical practice
- Build a culture of evidence-based practice and continuous learning
- Impact Measurement & Evaluation
- Design and implement outcome and impact measurement systems
- Develop data collection tools (surveys, interviews, focus groups, case studies)
- Analyse quantitative and qualitative data to assess programme effectiveness
- Produce evaluation reports, impact summaries, and learning briefs for funders, partners, and stakeholders
- Data & Insight
- Oversee data collection, management, and quality assurance processes
- Use data visualisation and storytelling to communicate findings clearly
- Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities from programme data
- Support grant applications with evidence, statistics, and research summaries
- Community-Centred Research
- Champion participatory, co-produced, and community-led research approaches
- Ensure research practices are ethical, inclusive, and culturally sensitive
- Engage beneficiaries in designing, delivering, and interpreting research
- Amplify lived experience and community voice in evidence and advocacy
- Knowledge Sharing & Learning
- Disseminate research findings internally and externally (reports, blogs, presentations)
- Support teams to learn from data and adapt programmes accordingly
- Identify best practices, innovation, and learning across the organisation
- Contribute to sector knowledge through partnerships, publications, or networks
- Ethical & Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure research practices meet ethical standards and GDPR requirements
- Design safeguarding-informed research with vulnerable participants
- Manage data securely and responsibly
Head of Research - Volunteer in Leeds employer: Afrikindness
Afrikindness is an exceptional employer for those passionate about social impact and community empowerment. As the Volunteer Head of Research & Impact Strategy, you will have the opportunity to lead innovative research initiatives that directly influence the lives of families in need, all while working in a supportive hybrid environment that values ethical practices and continuous learning. Join us to turn data into meaningful insights and make a tangible difference in the communities we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research - Volunteer in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the research and non-profit sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your research projects, evaluations, and any impactful work you've done. This will help potential employers see your expertise in action and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to organisations like Afrikindness and express your interest in volunteering. Share your passion for social impact and how your skills align with their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest research methodologies and data analysis tools. Consider taking online courses or attending workshops. This not only boosts your skills but also shows potential employers that you're committed to continuous improvement.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research - Volunteer in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for social impact and community empowerment shine through. We want to see how your values align with Afrikindness's mission, so share your personal connection to the cause!
Be Clear and Compelling:Your written communication skills are key! Make sure your application is clear and compelling. Use straightforward language to explain your experience in research methodologies and how you've turned data into actionable insights.
Tailor Your Experience:Don’t just list your qualifications; tailor your experience to match the job description. Highlight your senior experience in research and any relevant projects that demonstrate your ability to design evaluations and measure outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Afrikindness
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Afrikindness's mission and current research initiatives. Familiarise yourself with their impact strategies and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you articulate how you can contribute to their research leadership.
✨Showcase Your Methodological Expertise
Be prepared to discuss various research methodologies you've used in the past. Highlight specific examples where you've designed evaluations or impact studies, and be ready to explain how you translated data into actionable insights. This will demonstrate your senior experience in research and evaluation.
✨Communicate Clearly and Compellingly
Since excellent written communication is key for this role, practice summarising complex data into clear, concise points. Bring along examples of reports or presentations you've created that showcase your ability to communicate findings effectively. This will show your potential to produce compelling reports for stakeholders.
✨Emphasise Community Engagement
Discuss your commitment to participatory and community-based research approaches. Share experiences where you've engaged beneficiaries in the research process, ensuring ethical practices and amplifying community voices. This will resonate well with Afrikindness's focus on community empowerment and social impact.
