Interim Research Lead

Are you driven by evidence, curious about complex social realities, and motivated to turn research into real-world change for children? Do you enjoy leading diverse research teams, working across countries and disciplines, and ensuring children’s voices are heard safely and ethically? And, last but definitely not least, does it put a smile on your face when you imagine you’d be doing all of the above in an organisation with a strong social purpose?

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About the role

Interim Research Lead

About Terre des Hommes Netherlands

Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) is a mission-driven organisation, committed to catalysing change to end child exploitation. We work across Africa and Asia, partnering with local organisations to protect children from trafficking, sexual exploitation, child labour, and other forms of child exploitation. Our work is grounded in evidence, child participation, and safeguarding principles.

The Role

The Interim Research Lead is (co-)responsible for delivering Terre des Hommes Netherlands’ strategic research objectives by generating, sharing, and applying high-quality research to influence systemic change for children.

The fun part of doing this role is that you will lead multi-country research, collaborate closely with programme, participation and influencing colleagues, engage with academic networks, and represent TdH NL as a research expert.

You will be challenged by balancing academic rigor with practical relevance in complex LMIC and humanitarian contexts, while managing multiple research teams and priorities.

The Team

You will be part of the Research and Influencing team, consisting of six colleagues, of which two solely focus on research. Our colleagues are based in Asia, Africa and the Hague. The team is managed by the Head of Research, Expertise and Influencing.

We work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary way and value critical inquiry, shared learning, and close collaboration with programme teams and partners. We are proud of combining academic excellence with practical impact, and we actively support each other through knowledge sharing, reflection, and teamwork.

Result areas and core activities

Your job is to cover a maternity leave and to lead and deliver high-quality, ethical and impactful research that advances TdH NL’s strategic objectives and informs influencing and systemic change.

To do this you will:

• Represent Terre des Hommes Netherlands as a research expert.
• Manage the research team and contracted research partners.
• Collaborate closely with Programmes, influencing teams, and regional and country partners.
• Design and implement multi-country research studies that include meaningful child participation.
• Facilitate research uptake for influencing and advocacy.
• Develop academic links and contribute to academic influence and debate.
• Support research among staff and partner staff.

Knowledge and experience

The ideal candidate will be committed to the mission and vision of Terre des Hommes Netherlands and has a proven track record in multidisciplinary, ethical and child participatory research related to children’s rights and child exploitation.

More specifically:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in research
• A Master Degree and preferably a PhD in social sciences or other relevant fields
• Academic expertise in a relevant research area, ideally child exploitation (sexual exploitation of children or child labour)
• Strong and relevant track record of academic publication
• Experience conducting research with children, including especially vulnerable groups of children
• Mixed-methods social sciences background
• Experience in curriculum development, teaching and research supervision (desirable)
• Working knowledge of children’s rights and intersectionality frameworks
• Demonstrated competence in safeguarding children in research
• Previous experience in non-profit or global organisations

Skills

• Research project management
• Safe and ethical research design
• Ability to balance academic rigor with development and child-protection realities in LMICs and humanitarian settings
• Research budget management
• Supporting research grant proposals
• Cultural literacy
• Data management and analysis software skills

Personality / characteristics

• Critical, reflective and inspiring
• Able to encourage practitioners to engage with empirical research
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills

Language

• Fluent in English is a must, Dutch is an asset

International Travel

Agrees to international travel when needed

What we have to offer

• A 5 month contract to fill a maternity leave
• We offer a 36 hour contract which in our organisation equals a full time workweek. The pro of this is that one can work 4 x 9 and have one day per week off while still having a full time contract. You may spread the hours over the week matching your preference, in agreement with your manager.
• We work hybrid, so 50% office and 50% from home. Very flexible and with a positive effect on your work life balance.
• An office in the thriving heart of The Hague, city of international human rights and political capital.