Research Manager – Baraza Media Lab

Job Description

Baraza Media Lab is Nairobi’s premier space for networking, collaborating, and experimenting among Kenya’s media practitioners. It’s a vibrant community of creatives and media professionals who come together to share ideas, learn from each other, and drive innovation in the media and creative industry. The lab -offers a co-working space, curated events, and informal sessions, as well as opportunities for collaboration and networking.

As a vibrant hub, it continues to foster a dynamic community of storytellers and media professionals, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and innovation.

Job Description

Key Role:

Baraza Media Lab is launching an exciting new initiative to explore cutting-edge trends, challenges, and opportunities at the intersection of media, technology, and society. We are seeking a Research Manager to drive this initiative, shape its vision, and establish its foundations. The Research Manager will also be responsible for developing robust systems for internal monitoring, evaluation, and impact tracking to share useful insights from BML programming to the community. This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team and make a significant impact on Kenya’s media and creative ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

Execution of Research Strategy

• Lead the implementation of the research strategy, ensuring alignment with Baraza Media Lab’s goals and community needs.
• Refine and iterate on the research strategy based on emerging insights, community feedback, and contextual changes.
• Develop annual plans and priorities for the initiative, identifying areas of focus and key deliverables.

Project Management and Delivery

• Manage multiple research projects simultaneously, ensuring high-quality, timely, and impactful outcomes.
• Oversee the research workflow, from conceptualization to final delivery, ensuring alignment with best practices in media and technology research.
• Collaborate with internal teams, external stakeholders, and partners to co-execute and expand research initiatives.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact Tracking

• Design and manage systems to monitor the progress and impact of BML activities.
• Produce reports and presentations that surface relevant insights from the research to funders, stakeholders, and the wider community.
• Use data and feedback to continuously improve research processes and ensure relevance to the ecosystem.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

• Foster relationships with media practitioners, academics, creatives, and tech innovators to grow a media research community within the BML ecosystem.
• Organize and lead workshops, discussions, and events to share findings and build connections within the community.
• Identify and execute on where the research insights can lead to new programming and activities, i.e. “research to action”
• Act as a key point of contact between Baraza Media Lab and its research partners.

Knowledge Dissemination

• Ensure research findings are published in accessible and engaging formats, including reports, blogs, infographics, and presentations.
• Represent Baraza Media Lab at conferences, forums, and other industry events to amplify the visibility and relevance of the research.
• Develop and execute dissemination plans to ensure insights reach key audiences and stakeholders.

Team Leadership and Mentorship

• Recruit and hire research assistants and other contributors as needed to ensure consistent and high-quality research.
• Cultivate an agile, collaborative team culture that emphasizes curiosity, responsiveness, and impact.

Requirements

Ideal Qualifications and Skills

• Proven Experience: At least 5 years of experience in research, consulting, or project management, preferably with a focus on media, technology, or related fields.
• Strategic Execution: Strong ability to execute an existing strategy while identifying opportunities for refinement and iteration.
• Qualitative and Quantitative Research: Foundational knowledge and skills in designing and executing qualitative and quantitative research including knowledge of justifying sampling, linking research questions with appropriate data collection methods, conducting qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and writing up useful insights from the data. Experience using statistical software such as R/Stata/SPSS is preferred but not required.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Expertise: Experience designing and implementing M&E frameworks and analyzing project impact.
• Curiosity and Agility: A keen interest in exploring new ideas and adapting to evolving trends and challenges.
• Attention to Detail and Excellent Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
• Start-up or Early-Stage Organization Experience (Preferred): Familiarity with the fast-paced, resourceful culture of start-ups. This includes identifying gaps and filling them proactively.
• Analytical and Communication Skills: Strong ability to synthesize complex information and present it clearly to diverse audiences.
• Collaboration: Skilled at building partnerships and engaging with diverse stakeholders, from grassroots organizations to global partners.

Educational Requirements

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Media Studies, Technology, Social Sciences, or a related discipline).

Benefits

Why Join Us?

• Impact: Drive a research initiative that contributes to the evolution and growth of Kenya’s media and creative ecosystem.
• Community: Work with a diverse and vibrant network of professionals and thought leaders.
• Growth: Gain hands-on professional development and exposure to cutting edge research. Mentorship opportunities with leaders in the field.
• Paid Time Off: Recharge and rejuvenate with generous time off.
• Comprehensive Health Cover: Prioritize your and dependents’ well-being with top-tier health coverage.
• Emergency Assistance Program: Access support in unexpected situations.
• Professional Development Plan: Invest in your professional growth with an annual development allowance. 

Baraza Media Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Baraza prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind; we’re committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Baraza are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, colour, religion, gender or sexual orientation.