Southern Voice — a Global South network of think tanks and evidence hubs — is hiring a Remote Research Officer paying $2,000–$2,200 USD per month. The deadline is 8 May 2026 at 12:00pm CET, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The position may be filled before the deadline — apply immediately.
This is a substantive research coordination role, not a junior position. You’ll work directly with the Head of Research & Innovation to advance the work of Global South scholars contributing to SDG-focused global policy debates. Global South candidates are actively encouraged to apply.
About This Role
The Research Officer (RO) will coordinate and manage the day-to-day implementation of Southern Voice research initiatives — covering the full research cycle from concept development through publication, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement. You’ll produce research outputs, manage the publications process, coordinate events and workshops, and represent Southern Voice in international policy spaces.
The role is fully remote with a start date of 8 June 2026 and an initial three-month probationary period leading to a one-year consultancy contract through December 2026, with renewal possibility based on performance and funding.
Time zone requirement: You must be available for at least 5 hours of overlap with UTC+5:30 office hours (9am–5pm) daily. This is a firm working condition — confirm your ability to meet this before applying.
Key Responsibilities
Research Strategy & Initiative Coordination
- Develop strategic and timely research — generating ideas for impactful, actionable research aligned with Southern Voice’s priorities
- Produce research outputs including concept notes, literature reviews, research insights, and policy briefs
- Provide technical and research inputs to the Head of Research & Innovation for initiative design and proposal development
- Coordinate and manage the full implementation cycle of Southern Voice research initiatives — tracking timelines, deliverables, and outputs against agreed work plans
Publications & Quality Assurance
- Coordinate the publications process for Southern Voice research initiatives end to end
- Work closely with Policy, Communication, and Central Coordination teams on publication and dissemination
- Manage internal and external peer review, copyediting, and quality assurance processes to ensure outputs meet academic and global policy publication standards
Events & Stakeholder Engagement
- Organise and lead meetings, calls, workshops, and events — preparing concept notes, agendas, bios, and supporting materials
- Maintain proactive communication with all stakeholders across Southern Voice initiatives
- Support peer learning and outreach activities as part of research initiatives
Strategic Collaboration & Partnerships
- Represent Southern Voice in conferences, policy dialogues, and global peer learning forums
- Contribute to opportunity mapping, methodology development, and expert/stakeholder engagement to develop new partnerships
- Collaborate with Secretariat members on cross-unit network activities
Planning & Institutional Support
- Contribute to strategic planning for research initiatives and cross-unit Secretariat efforts
- Develop and maintain initiative trackers to monitor and follow up on activity implementation
- Register and report research activities through Slack, Airtable, and Google Workspace tools
- Provide inputs for data management and institutional memory
Required Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in International Development Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Economics, or a related interdisciplinary field — required
- Higher degree or certification demonstrating strong training in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods — an advantage
Experience
- Minimum 3 years of applied research experience in a think tank, research institution, NGO, or international organisation
- Proven experience managing or coordinating multi-country research projects — tracking deliverables, timelines, and outputs
- Demonstrated track record producing research outputs — literature reviews, research synthesis, reports, concept notes
- Experience working in or with Global South networks or institutions — an advantage
Skills & Competencies
- Strong research and analytical skills — ability to synthesise complex information into actionable policy insights
- Excellent written and verbal English communication skills — required
- Fluency in additional languages — an advantage
- Competence with coordination and knowledge management tools — Google Workspace and Slack (highly desirable)
- Strong intercultural communication skills across diverse cultural contexts and time zones
- Proactive, organised, solution-driven — able to work autonomously while maintaining strategic alignment with the Head of Research & Innovation
Salary, Contract & Location Details
Compensation
$2,000–$2,200 USD per month — consultancy rate. This is a contractor engagement, not employment. Confirm tax obligations and payment method (bank transfer, Wise, or similar) at the offer stage.
Contract Duration
- Three-month probation period from 8 June 2026
- Extension to December 2026 upon successful completion of probation
- Possibility of renewal for a further year subject to performance and funding availability
Modality
Fully remote — location-independent. No geographic restriction stated. Global South candidates are actively and specifically encouraged to apply.
Time Zone
UTC+5:30 overlap is mandatory — you must be available for at least 5 hours daily within 9am–5pm UTC+5:30 (IST/Sri Lanka Standard Time). Candidates in South Asia, East Africa, and parts of the Middle East and Southeast Asia are well-positioned for this requirement.
How to Apply
Application Deadline
8 May 2026, 12:00pm CET — but applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the position may be filled before the deadline. Apply today.
What to Submit
Complete the application form (linked below) and upload:
- CV — maximum 2 pages (in English)
- Cover letter — maximum 1 page (in English)
Your cover letter must include:
- Why you’re the right fit for this specific role
- A clear demonstration that you understand Southern Voice’s work
- A paragraph explaining how your experience would directly support Southern Voice’s mission and initiatives
Apply via the official Southern Voice application form →
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Due to high application volumes, individual feedback will not be provided to unsuccessful applicants.
About Southern Voice
Southern Voice is a global network of think tanks and evidence hubs from the Global South, dedicated to amplifying the voices and research of scholars from developing countries in international policy debates — particularly those related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The network brings together research institutions from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and other regions, and operates through a Secretariat that coordinates research initiatives, publications, and policy engagement globally.
