Research & Innovation Specialist

Research & Innovation Specialist

Purpose of the Job

The Research and Innovation Specialist supports the Research & Innovation (R&I) Director across the full lifecycle of new initiatives - from initial concept through piloting, scale-up, and handover to the relevant delivery team. This is a generalist, deliberately cross-functional role that combines strategic support with hands-on execution, spanning program design, operational coordination, and field-level implementation. Because R&I's portfolio evolves continuously, specific assignments will shift with its priorities as directed by the R&I Director; the role exists to give the department the operational capacity and continuity required to develop, test, and scale new initiatives effectively.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Program Development & Handover

• Partner with the R&I Director to take new program ideas from concept through pilot to scale, often within compressed timelines
• Support research, benchmarking, and due diligence on new program ideas or potential partnerships
• Prepare and execute the handover of matured initiatives to the receiving delivery team, including documentation, training, and transition support

Initiative Operations & Documentation

• Design and manage the operational infrastructure new initiatives need - applicant/participant tracking, scheduling, mapping, and simple digital tools
• Draft and manage documentation: program designs, training materials, applicant/stakeholder communications, reports, and presentations
• Proactively identify inefficiencies and propose and implement improvements

Field Engagement & Coordination

• Coordinate across internal teams (Field, L&D, Programs, Finance) and external partners to keep new initiatives moving
• Conduct field visits across Egypt to support inspections, training rollouts, and quality checks
• Represent R&I in field-level meetings with volunteers, church contacts, and local stakeholders as needed

Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• 2–4 years of professional experience, ideally including exposure to program/project management, operations, or a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Demonstrated versatility - comfortable moving between strategic thinking and hands-on, administrative, or field-level tasks
• Strong organizational and project management skills; able to juggle multiple concurrent workstreams
• Comfortable with data and everyday digital tools (Excel required; comfort with tools such as Google Sheets or lightweight apps a strong plus)
• Excellent written and spoken Arabic and English
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly within Egypt, including to Upper Egypt (e.g. Luxor, Qena)
• High degree of self-direction; comfortable with ambiguity and shifting priorities
• Genuine interest in the NGO/development sector and Coptic Orphans' mission is a strong plus

Travel and Working Requirements

• Typical office environment: sitting, typing, using office equipment, and occasional lifting of boxes or luggage during travel.
• Travel throughout Egypt of up to approximately 30% of the time.
• Flexibility to work outside official hours and on weekends as needed.