KREASI Research, Learning and Knowledge Management Manager

ROLE PURPOSE

The Research, Learning and Knowledge Management Manager is the senior technical lead for research, learning, and knowledge management within the KREASI program. The role is responsible for ensuring technical quality and positioning KREASI's research and learning agenda to influence policy, partner practice, and the broader evidence base on foundational learning in low-resource settings.

The Manager leads the finalization and implementation of the KREASI Research and Learning Agenda, in alignment with the project's baseline findings, Save the Children and GPE's evidence priorities, and complementary to DFAT INOVASI and UNICEF/GPE-supported research. This includes design and oversight of research studies, the broader learning agenda across KREASI components, knowledge products, learning events, and dissemination strategies that support advocacy with the Government of Indonesia to scale up effective KREASI approaches and contribute to the global knowledge base on foundational learning.

The Research, Learning and KM Manager provides direct line management and technical oversight of the Research External Consultant, and works closely with the Education Manager, the Ecosystem and Advocacy Manager and the MONEV Manager to ensure research, learning, and knowledge products are aligned with program priorities and advocacy goals. The Manager also draws on support of the KREASI Communications team to ensure synergies between the project's external communications and technical learning messages.

The position also plays a key role in fostering a strong learning culture across KREASI, in ensuring alignment with other donor-funded and government-led research and knowledge initiatives in Indonesia, and in positioning KREASI as a credible contributor to national and global evidence on foundational learning.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Technical Leadership and Team Management 

• Serve as the senior technical leader for research, learning, and knowledge management within KREASI, providing quality assurance across all research-related components.
• Advise the Head of Programs and Chief of Party on risks, opportunities, and external positioning related to KREASI research and knowledge.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of KREASI's Research and Learning Agenda in alignment with project objectives, priorities of the Local Education Group, and the broader evidence base around foundational learning.
• Provide line management and technical oversight of the Research External Consultant.
• As a member of the expanded SMT, foster a collaborative team culture aligned with KREASI values.
• Ensure systematic integration of GEDSI, disability inclusion, climate change, and child participation considerations across research and knowledge products.
• Coordinate closely with the Education Manager, Ecosystem and Advocacy Manager, and MONEV Manager to ensure coherence between research, learning, technical implementation, advocacy, and M&E.

Research Agenda and Strategy

• Lead the finalization and implementation of the KREASI Research Agenda, including identification of priority research areas and ensuring alignment with baseline findings, partner initiatives (e.g., INOVASI, GPE/UNICEF), and government priorities.
• As relevant, identify and develop research collaborations with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE), Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), universities and other partners.

Learning Agenda and Cross-Program Learning

• Lead the design and implementation of KREASI's broader learning agenda, ensuring lessons from program implementation are systematically captured, analyzed, and shared.
• Compile and synthesize lessons learned, success stories, and key findings from across KREASI components, districts, and partners into accessible learning products.
• Foster strong learning exchange across KREASI, partners, and with external stakeholders, including DFAT INOVASI, GPE, UNICEF, and other education sector actors.
• Lead the design and facilitation of cross-program learning events, after-action reviews, and reflection forums that surface lessons for both program adaptation and external sharing.
• Document project learning and ensure dissemination both internally (across KREASI teams and Save the Children) and externally (to government, donors, partners, and the wider sector).

External Knowledge Generation and Contribution to the Evidence Base

• Engage with research and knowledge coordination platforms and technical working groups to align KREASI research with broader sector evidence and reform efforts.
• Lead the design and dissemination of knowledge products that contribute to the evidence base on what works to improve foundational learning in low-resource (3T) settings.
• Position KREASI evidence within communities of practice on foundational learning, teacher professional development, principal professional development and inclusive education.
• Build partnerships with research institutions, universities and basic education networks to strengthen the visibility and credibility of KREASI evidence.

Knowledge Management for Advocacy and Scale-up

• Maintain a KREASI knowledge management system, ensuring research outputs, learning products, and case studies are organized, accessible, and used.
• With support of the Communications Manager, ensure knowledge products are tailored to specific audiences, including national and sub-national government counterparts, donors, and education stakeholders.
• Ensure KREASI publications, briefs, and presentations are designed for use in advocacy with the Government of Indonesia and other stakeholders, with an eye towards scale up of KREASI approaches.
• Work closely with the Ecosystem and Advocacy Manager to translate evidence into policy briefs, position papers, and other advocacy products to influence district level policy and budgets.
• Promote synergy with other donor-funded and government-led research initiatives in Indonesia, including DFAT INOVASI, GPE/UNICEF research, and government-led learning agendas.a
• With partners, engage in learning events, roundtables, and dissemination forums that promote uptake of KREASI evidence by policymakers and practitioners.

Partner Capacity Strengthening and Technical Assistance

• Support implementing partners to engage in research, document good practice, and contribute to KREASI knowledge products.
• Provide support for partner-led research and learning, providing capacity development in research, learning, and knowledge management as needed.
• Provide technical review of partner-initiated research to ensure quality and alignment with KREASI priorities.

Compliance and Safeguarding

• Ensure all research activities comply with Save the Children policies and ethical research standards, including informed consent, data protection, and child safeguarding.
• Promote inclusive, transparent, and ethical research practices.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in education, Social Research, Public Policy, International Development, Statistics, or a related field with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience; or bachelor’s degree with at least 7 years of relevant experience. PhD an asset.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience designing and managing research and learning agendas, ideally focused on foundational learning, education systems, or related social sectors in low- and middle-income countries.
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading program learning agendas, including capturing and disseminating lessons learned across multi-component programs.
• Strong knowledge of research methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods), including ethical standards for research with children.
• Strong understanding of Indonesia's education system, research landscape, and policy environment at national and sub-national levels.
• Demonstrated experience working with government counterparts, universities, think tanks, development partners, and civil society organizations on research and knowledge initiatives.
• Experience integrating cross-cutting priorities such as gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), child protection, and climate change into research and knowledge products.
• Strong understanding of how to translate evidence into advocacy and policy influence, with experience producing policy briefs, position papers, and learning products.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English, including experience producing high-quality research reports, policy briefs, and presentations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build partnerships, facilitate collaboration, and represent programs effectively in high-level forums.
• Commitment to Save the Children's values and principles, including child rights, safeguarding, and accountable partnerships.