How to apply for Senior Research Manager or Research Director

About Imagine Worldwide

Imagine Worldwide is a nonprofit dedicated to improving literacy and numeracy for children in Sub-Saharan Africa through innovative tablet-based adaptive learning. Their unique approach combines technology with on-the-ground partnerships to deliver scalable educational impact in some of the most underserved regions.

About the role

As a Senior Research Manager or Research Director, you will lead the research strategy for an expanding education technology program in Tanzania, overseeing a multi-method portfolio that includes learning assessments, surveys, and implementation studies. Your work will directly inform program improvements and provide critical evidence to government stakeholders, shaping educational policy and practice.

A typical day

A typical day might involve virtual meetings with the Tanzania country team to coordinate research activities, reviewing data collection progress from in-country partners, and analyzing preliminary results to inform program adjustments. You might also spend time preparing reports for government stakeholders or collaborating with colleagues on study design, ensuring that research aligns with both program needs and policy priorities.

Who Imagine Worldwide is looking for

• Holds a Master's degree (or PhD for Director level) in education, public policy, or a related field, with at least 5 years of experience managing research projects in education or similar settings.
• Demonstrates strong project management skills, including experience managing contracts, budgets, and timelines with in-country partners.
• Possesses robust data analysis skills (Excel or similar) and the ability to translate complex findings into actionable recommendations.
• Has excellent cross-cultural communication skills and experience working with government stakeholders, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Shows a track record of designing and executing quantitative and/or qualitative research studies, ideally in school settings.

Tips for this application

• Highlight any experience with education technology or adaptive learning platforms, and explain how your research has informed programmatic decisions in similar contexts.
• Emphasize your experience working with in-country research partners or managing multi-country studies, especially in East Africa.
• Tailor your resume to showcase your project management achievements, including budget oversight and timeline adherence, with concrete numbers.
• In your cover letter, explicitly address your ability to coordinate with government stakeholders and align research with policy needs.
• If applying for the Research Director level, ensure your publication record is prominently featured, with links to relevant papers or reports.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your passion for improving literacy and numeracy outcomes for children in low-resource settings.', 'Your experience managing complex research portfolios, including multi-method studies and partnerships.', 'Your ability to translate research findings into practical recommendations for program improvement and policy influence.', 'Your cross-cultural competence and readiness to collaborate with a remote team and in-country partners in Tanzania.']

Research before applying

• Learn about Imagine Worldwide's current programs in Tanzania and other countries, including their tablet-based adaptive learning model and key partners.
• Review recent research on the effectiveness of educational technology in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in literacy and numeracy.
• Familiarize yourself with Tanzania's education system, including national assessments and government priorities for education.
• Read any published reports or working papers from Imagine Worldwide or its partners to understand their research approach and evidence needs.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you design a learning assessment to measure literacy and numeracy outcomes in a low-resource, multilingual context like Tanzania?
• Describe a time you managed a research project with tight timelines and budget constraints. How did you ensure quality and stakeholder satisfaction?
• What strategies would you use to build strong relationships with government officials to support evidence-based decision-making?
• How do you approach analyzing data from diverse sources (e.g., assessments, surveys, implementation studies) to generate actionable insights?
• How do you ensure ethical standards and cultural sensitivity when conducting research with children in school settings?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Avoid submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention the specific context of Tanzania or the tablet-based program.
• Don't underestimate the importance of project management experience; ensure your resume clearly demonstrates budget and contract management skills.
• Avoid overlooking the need for cross-cultural communication skills; provide concrete examples of working with international teams or stakeholders.