University of Bath KTP Programme
Oxford Policy Management
The Organisation
Oxford Policy Management (OPM) is a research based consultancy, providing
high quality research, analysis, advice and support in the design,
implementation and evaluation of economic and social development policies
primarily in low and middle income countries. Most of their projects involve
relationships with both a funder (typically an international development
agency) and a recipient (typically a government institution in Africa, Asia or
Latin America). OPM’s major clients include multilateral agencies (including
the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, EC, UNICEF, UNDP, FAO) and
bilateral development agencies (including DFID, Irish Aid, Danida, SIDA,
FINNIDA, Norad, GTZ, SECO).
Partnership rationale
This two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Oxford Policy
Management and the University of Bath is to develop and implement
protocols and procedures for conducting methodologically diverse, integrated,
robust and policy-relevant research and evaluation in developing countries.
Partnership objectives
OPM’s clients demand research and evaluation of the development policy
interventions they fund for three purposes:
i.
To establish whether they cause desired outcomes as causality is
difficult to establish in public policy because so many other factors
affect the outcome. Nonetheless it is vital to demonstrate value for
money;
ii.
To suggest how they can be improved to maximise outcomes.
iii.
To influence debate over whether they should be mainstreamed or
scaled up to deliver wider impact.
OPM is a market leader in development policy research and evaluation but
maintaining this position requires responding to:
 increasing client demands for innovative and robust evaluation
approaches including:
o high quality qualitative work and
o mixing quantitative and qualitative methods while delivering
on time (for policy deadlines) and
o on budget
 opportunities created by new technologies in research, (e.g. computer
assisted data collection);
 the need to engage recipient communities and policy-makers in
research.
Partnership with the University of Bath will allow OPM to invest in the
development of cutting edge research and evaluation approaches. The
partnership seeks to address the challenges of developing and embedding of
academically rigorous and robust approaches to these problems within the
context of a consultancy business model.
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It is expected that the advances in research and evaluation made through the
partnerships will take place primarily within OPM’s education portfolio. The
education team currently conducts complex mixed methods evaluation in
Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania but the Associate will not be limited to these
countries.
Partnership management
The KTP Project is delivered by an Associate and is managed through the
Local Management Committee (LMC). This is chaired by the senior
organisation executive and comprises the Company and Academic
leaders/supervisors and a KTP Advisor (Technology Strategy Board
representative). The LMC meets every four months and is responsible for
programme direction, ensuring that all parties gain maximum benefit and
authorising expenditure.
Associates are expected to prepare an executive summary, to report on
progress for the LMC meeting and this must be circulated in advance to LMC
members. They are also expected to make a formal presentation on some
aspects of their work at this meeting.
A monthly progress meeting is held with the Company and Academic
Supervisors. The Associate is expected to arrange and document these
meetings. The Associate is required to maintain a log of the tangible benefits
of the project and to provide internal seminars for other members of University
and organisation staff, based on knowledge acquired through attendance at
courses and conferences.
Associate profile
A PhD in social science, development studies, development economics or a
related subject with strong quantitative and qualitative research methods
components is essential. Research experience, either PhD or through applied
research, is also essential; as is experience of working in a developing
country or countries. Work experience beyond pure research would be
advantageous. Experience in research in international education would be
valuable.
Additionally we would expect you to demonstrate, through examples:
excellent written and oral communication skills
strong team working skills and cross-cultural sensitivity
strong skills in analysing complex problems using both qualitative and
quantitative methods
expertise in using software for qualitative (e.g. NVivo?) and quantitative
(e.g. Stata) analysis
self motivation, persistence and the personal drive to achieve
ambitious project goals
imagination, flexibility and adaptability in approaching new tasks.
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Finally, the Associate must be willing and able to undertake extensive
overseas travel that the role demands.
Associate’s expectation
The Associate will have the opportunity to pursue a higher degree as a
member of staff of the University. Bath provides an MPhil in Knowledge
Transfer specifically for KTP Associates, or another higher degree offered by
the Department Social and Policy Sciences may be appropriate.
The Associate may have the opportunity to gain undergraduate level teaching
experience by co-supervising undergraduate dissertation students and giving
the occasional seminar to students of the Departments of Social and Policy
Sciences and Economics to deliver papers at international conferences and to
co-author articles. They will be encouraged and supported to apply for
membership of a relevant professional body.
The Associate is likely to have the opportunity to engage in research and
evaluation processes on educational interventions, spanning research design,
primary qualitative and quantitative fieldwork, analysis and reporting.
On successful completion of the project it is highly likely that the Associate will
be offered a permanent position with the company. However, if due to
unforeseen circumstances this is not possible, the Associate will still have
gained;
skills in research, social policy development and implementation of new
services to the international development sector.
an understanding of the complex problems facing bilateral and
multilateral development agencies and the governments with whom
they work.
experience on the development and introduction of a new research
protocol at an exciting and challenging time for the international
development sector as it seeks to meet the challenge of delivering high
quality research and evaluation services to emerging focus areas.
invaluable general business and management experience through
close involvement with the senior managers of the organisation.
Salary and conditions of employment
The salary is competitive and will be dependent on qualifications and
experience and the reward package includes a pension contribution and
separate £4,000 personal training and development budget.
The Associate will be appointed by the University as a member of staff in the
Department of Social and Policy Sciences, responsible to the appointed
academic supervisor. The contract of employment is for 24 months. There is
a probationary period of six months, during which time the contract may be
terminated by either side with one month’s notice. Thereafter, the required
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notice period to be given by either side is three months. The University
requires a mid- probationary report after three months and a full probationary
report at six months.
In other respects the Associate will be treated as a company employee. Work
will be split between the University and the Company as appropriate for the
specific activities. The conditions of work, including work hours and holiday
entitlement, will be those applying to Company employees. An appraisal is
carried out at six months with the Academic and Company Supervisors. This
is used to identify the Associate’s training requirements in relation to
programme tasks and their personal development plan. There will be further
appraisals at eighteen months.
Whilst there is no commitment on the company to retain the Associate at the
end of the programme, it is expected that the Associate will be made aware of
future prospects at their 18 month appraisal. KTP appointments cannot
normally be extended beyond the end of the project.
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