About Results for Development (R4D)
Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner that collaborates with government officials, civil society leaders, social innovators, and other change agents to build strong systems that support healthy, educated populations.
R4D works with partners to translate knowledge and evidence into practical solutions through analytical research, decision-making support, implementation assistance, and access to peer problem-solving networks. Its work spans health, education, and nutrition, with a focus on building sustainable systems that deliver lasting development outcomes.
About the Role
R4D is seeking an experienced Lead Researcher to design and lead a six-month pilot study examining 15–20 grassroots social innovations in African cities. The study will explore how locally developed innovations can contribute to inclusive and sustainable urban futures.
The research forms part of the Urban Futures track of the International Development Innovation Alliance (IDIA), hosted by Results for Development. Funding is provided jointly by IDIA and one of its members, the Judith Neilson Foundation (JNF).
The successful candidate will lead the research process, develop and implement the methodology, collect information from grassroots innovators, and produce the final research synthesis.
This opportunity is intended for an established researcher or practitioner with a strong track record in urban development and innovation, particularly within African contexts.
Purpose of the Research
Existing literature on urban innovation often emphasises capital, technology, and city politics. It frequently presents innovations from Western countries or the Global North as models to be scaled and transferred to other contexts.
This research aims to provide a different perspective by documenting innovations developed, operated, or used by residents in informal settlements and within the informal economy, where approximately 1.1 billion people live and work.
The study will develop a new typology of grassroots urban innovations and examine how they emerge, operate, scale, and receive support or financing.
The findings will contribute to IDIA’s and JNF’s thought leadership and strategic positioning ahead of the United Nations’ post-2030 development agenda negotiations, expected to begin in 2027.
The primary audiences are funders and grassroots innovators, while secondary audiences include city governments and researchers.
The research will be guided by four key principles:
- Resident-anchored: Centring the experiences and perspectives of residents.
- Researched with, not about: Involving innovators as active research partners.
- Place-based innovation: Prioritising innovations that emerge from local contexts.
- Post-research action: Supporting practical follow-up and action after the research.
A small advisory body will support the process.
Key Responsibilities
A. Scoping and Set-Up (Months 1–2)
The Lead Researcher will:
- Engage key funding partners, including IDIA and JNF, to establish the research approach and expectations.
- Confirm editorial control and governance arrangements.
- Develop a dissemination plan with funding partners and the advisory council, identifying suitable outputs and target audiences.
- Finalise interview questions, case-study templates, and a six-part typology covering:
- Community finance
- Community data and knowledge
- Care and mutual aid
- Tenure and land
- Informal-to-formal bridging
- Co-produced services
- Establish safeguarding procedures and informed-consent materials in coordination with R4D’s safeguarding focal point.
- Shortlist and confirm 15–20 case studies from IDIA and JNF networks, ensuring a balance of regions and innovation models and securing innovators’ participation.
B. Case Co-Production (Months 3–4)
The Lead Researcher will:
- Co-produce each case study with its innovator through interviews, written contributions, research, and community-produced photography or film.
- Apply a consistent case-study template covering the innovation’s root causes, initiators, ownership, financing, sustainability, power dynamics, gender considerations, scalability, and potential failure, stagnation, or co-option.
- Return data and outputs to each innovator as they are generated and agree on appropriate stipends and attribution, with support from an IDIA/R4D focal point.
- Supervise additional researchers or local creators, where required.
- Coordinate input from the Advisory Council, comprising approximately two to three thought leaders.
C. Synthesis and Dissemination (Month 5)
The Lead Researcher will:
- Synthesise findings across the case studies into a typology and an inverted map of relevant actors, preserving local context while enabling comparison.
- Prepare the research report and audience-specific briefings.
- Work with a design team to develop appropriate dissemination materials.
- Share drafts with contributors for feedback before wider circulation, in line with the dissemination plan and editorial governance arrangements.
- Conduct a post-research reflection with contributors to assess whether the research process was fair, ethical, and non-extractive.
Deliverables and Timeline
The pilot is expected to run for approximately six months, with final dissemination extending into Month 7. The start date will be confirmed.
| Deliverable | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Confirmed case-study template, interview guide, and typology | Month 1 |
| Safeguarding framework, consent materials, and contributor agreements | Month 1 |
| Shortlist of 15–20 confirmed case studies | Month 2 |
| 15–20 co-produced case studies, with data returned to each innovator | Month 5 |
| Draft report covering the typology, inverted map of actors, and cross-case synthesis | Month 5 |
| Final report and funder/policy briefing | Month 5 |
| Participation in a Skoll World Forum side event to share the research | Month 5 |
| Brief methodology notes and a shortlist of relationships and actions for a possible second phase | Month 5 |
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications and Experience
Applicants must demonstrate:
- At least five years of experience in urban development and innovation, particularly in Africa, with evidence of contributions to urban futures thinking and the post-2030 agenda through publications, policy work, or convening.
- A strong track record in qualitative, participatory, or co-produced research, preferably involving urban development, informality, or community-led development.
- Direct experience working with grassroots organisations or informal communities, alongside a clear commitment to ethical, non-extractive research and fair attribution.
- Knowledge of African urban contexts and the ability to work across multiple cities or countries.
- The ability to develop consistent analytical frameworks, including typologies and case-study templates, and synthesise diverse evidence into clear, accessible writing.
- Experience with informed consent, research ethics, and safeguarding.
- The ability to manage a small team, coordinate multiple partners, and deliver results within a tight timeline and fixed budget.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
The following would be an advantage:
- Existing relationships with networks such as Slum/Shack Dwellers International, WIEGO, IIED, or with IDIA and JNF portfolio partners.
- Experience commissioning or supporting community-produced photography or film.
- Experience writing for funders and policy audiences.
- Familiarity with AI tools and the ability to use them in accordance with agreed protocols.
- Lived experience of the urban settings being studied and knowledge of relevant local languages.
Terms and Working Arrangements
- Fee and time commitment: A daily fee rate commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience, with an expected maximum commitment of 40 days.
- Contract and reporting: The contract will be issued through R4D, acting as IDIA’s legal host. The reporting line will be confirmed.
- Governance: The Lead Researcher will work with IDIA and JNF teams and an Advisory Council of approximately two to three Urban Futures thought leaders.
- Location: The assignment may be undertaken remotely, and no travel is anticipated.
Ethics, Safeguarding, and Use of AI
Ethics and Safeguarding
The successful candidate must comply with R4D’s safeguarding policy and work with a designated focal point and reporting mechanism.
The research must use layered and revocable consent for participation, attribution, and the use of images, films, and quotations. Appropriate stipends and credit must be agreed upon with each innovator.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
Large language models (LLMs) may be used to support the synthesis of findings, provided their use complies with R4D’s and IDIA’s AI protocols.
Application deadline: Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
Method of Application
Interested candidates should submit their applications through the online submission form on R4D’s Business Opportunities page.
Applicants are required to provide:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Maximum of two pages.
- Cover Note: Maximum of two pages, outlining relevant experience against the essential criteria and providing examples of previous work.
- Earliest Available Start Date: Confirmation of when the applicant can begin the assignment.
- Daily Fee Rate: The applicant’s proposed professional fee.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Applications that do not clearly demonstrate experience against the essential criteria, particularly expertise in urban development and innovation in Africa, will not be shortlisted.
Due to the expected volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
10. General Information
- All information contained in the request for proposals (RFP) is proprietary and intended solely for preparing a bid response. It must not be used for other purposes or disclosed to third parties without R4D’s written permission.
- R4D reserves the right to make all decisions relating to the RFP, including rejecting any proposal. Issuing the RFP does not obligate R4D to enter into a contract or undertake any other obligation.
- Any amendments to the RFP will be published in the same formats and locations as the original document.
- Applicants are responsible for all costs incurred in preparing their submissions and any requested oral presentations.
- Former R4D employees and Board members must disclose their previous relationship with the organisation and contact the designated RFP contact to verify their eligibility to conduct business with R4D.
End of Terms of Reference
Note: This professionally formatted version is based on the supplied screenshots. Please consult the original R4D document for any additional submission details or official updates.
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