An exciting opportunity exists to join the Research for Development Impact (RDI) Network Committee!
If you are an experienced academic actively engaged in the field of international development, committed to seeing evidence influence development policy and practice – this position could be for you.
To ensure that the RDI Network has a diverse representation of the development sector, elections are being held for all university representatives. We are looking at a highly skilled, experienced, and engaged academic or non-academic university staff member to complement our current Committee members.
You will play a vital role in high-level strategic planning for the Network going forwards. This will include joining select steering groups to assist in implementation.
For details on how to submit an EOI please contact Dr. Philippa Smales via email. Also email to arrange a phone call if you would like to discuss the opportunity. Applications close midday AEDT on Thursday 1st October 2020.
Please read the details below prior to submitting an expression of interest.
About the RDI Network:
Our vision is effective, equitable international development through evidence and collaboration.
As a network of international development practitioners, academics and policymakers, the Research for Development Impact Network (RDI Network) serves as a hub (online and offline) for collaboration, innovation, and improvement of the sector.
Before the RDI Network and ACFID co-published the Principles and Guidelines for ethical research and evaluation in development, international development organisations conducted research with marginalised and vulnerable people without an overarching ethical benchmark.
Today, we collaborate with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australian Council of International Development (ACFID), universities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) across Australia to bring the sector the latest in ethical thought leadership.
We publish practical and hands-on guides to ethical partnerships and collaborations, ethics approval processes in different regions, and inclusive research practices. Our resources are free and easily accessible to the public. In doing so, the RDI Network provides all organisations and people access to emerging and current collective knowledge in effective, ethical development practice.
We are more than the sum of the parts: bringing together enquiry, evidence, practice, policy, and people, to strengthen development outcomes.
About the RDI Committee:
The purpose of the RDI Committee is to provide strategic oversight and direction on activities undertaken by and through the RDI Network. It forms a respected cross-sector voice. The Committee consists of representatives from both ACFID member NGOs and affiliated universities and is co-chaired by an ACFID representative, an NGO representative and a university representative. A list of current Committee members can be found here. The Committee is supported by a small secretariat based in Melbourne.
Benefits as committee members and supporting institutions:
- Opportunities to expand the personal and professional cross-sector network of the member and their institution or organisation;
- Increased opportunities to interact and contribute to dialogue with DFAT;
- Increased opportunity to strengthen relationships and collaborate with ACFID, and peer NGOs and universities on the RDI Committee;
- Increased opportunities for the Committee member and their institution or organisation to showcase their work at RDI Network events;
- Opportunities for professional development and to learn and apply new skills: e.g. how to network, work-plan development, event management, project and team management skills, MEL methodologies and practice, ethical research and evaluation.
To express your interest in a role on the RDI Committee, please provide:
- A one-page expression of interest statement against the selection criteria (above), explaining how you plan to contribute to the Committee;
- A recent CV detailing your present role(s) and responsibilities; and
- Evidence of endorsement from your institution, expressing support for the time commitment to be on the Committee and confirmation of covering the costs of attending in-person meetings (signed letter or email).
Please send your completed Expression of Interest by email to Philippa Smales, Network and Partnerships Manager before 1st October, 2020.
