OxHR - Researcher

Oxford HR

Oxford HR is a specialist executive search and organisational effectiveness firm dedicated to serving the needs of the for-purpose and notfor-profit sectors in a wide variety of practice areas. We identify, support and promote the leaders, thinkers and doers that can help our clients make a real difference.

Oxford HR is an ambitious, fast growing and multicultural firm with a strong commitment to championing diversity. Our headquarters are in Oxford, and we have offices in London, Amsterdam and Nairobi, with associate consultants and researchers across Canada, Bolivia, Venezuela, Thailand, Hong Kong, Belgium, India, Morocco, France, the Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, South Africa, Senegal and Australia.

Welcome Letter

Thank you for your interest in the role of Researcher with Oxford HR. We are excited that you are curious to join our team and we would like to get you to know us a bit more.

Oxford HR has grown a lot in recent years, and that is always a motivating challenge. We are opening new offices around the world and our client portfolio is becoming more robust. We are achieving the impact we want through our strategic collaboration with highly respected organisations worldwide, united by the desire to find those leaders who will make tomorrow’s difference.

In the current context, where we face climate, social, and political challenges, we are inspired by the idea of collaborating for the construction of a better society for all. For this reason, we only work with organisations that have a defined vision and mission to create a positive impact.

The Oxford HR Researchers team is no different. We want to find the leaders of tomorrow, the ones committed to change, whilst in our team we want to create lasting impact through collaborations, continuous learning and hard working.

In this role you will have the opportunity to work with colleagues who bring a breadth of experience in the international development field, as well as the opportunity to work with a global team, with different cultures and backgrounds.

Our team is made up of transparent people with a good sense of humor, with high organisational skills, attention to detail, superb communication skills, analytical thinking and teamwork spirit. We are a group of enthusiasts who are not paralysed by new challenges, and we are proud of the team dynamics we have built.

If any of this resonates with you, I invite you to continue reading this pack to learn more about who we are and what type of profile we are looking for this role. Maybe this is the right place for you!

Thanks for your time,

Claudia Cordova and Maria Grigore

The Role

Job Purpose

The main purpose of this job is to work closely with the Consultants and assist them in executive search. The current team structure is divided in five main regions: Asia, Africa, Europe and MENA, North America – US and Canada, and South America, with researchers specialising in one region with different sector specialisms. The current sector specialisms within the for-purpose sector Oxford HR focuses on are: Trade, Finance, Impact Investment & Economic Development; Education; Health; Environment, Climate and Conservation ; Disaster and Humanitarian Response; Data, Technology & Research; and Human Rights & Equality.

The Researcher will have expertise in one or several sector specialisms and geographic regions. They will carry out research into potential clients and candidates for each assignment efficiently and accurately so that information is readily accessible to the lead Consultants. This will involve an amount of administration for each assignment, which will be supported by the Project Administrator. Occasionally, there might be a need for overall administration of the assignments. S/he will also research information on organisations and ensure that database is upto-date and readily accessible by Consultants.

Key Responsibilities

Research (The research function can be related to specific assignments and/or business development)

• Prepare a comprehensive research list/ search strategy of potential candidates or sources for each assignment (e.g. Head of Education for Save the Children).

• Search for new organisations for potential candidates and/or business development and gather the general sector knowledge. This should be recorded on to the database and contacted.

• Searching for new websites that are relevant for our fields of work and update our database.

Search Administration – in conjunction with the Project Coordinator

• Support the Project Coordinator in the administrative tasks of an assignment as needed.

Data Admin

• Create and manage both paper and electronic filing systems to meet the organisation’s developing needs.

• Store all the information about candidates, clients, sources and organisations in our database and ensure it is up to date, de-duplicated and accessible to all the members of Oxford HR.

Office Management

• Attend team meetings and take turns in taking meeting minutes/chairing.

• Dealing with, and routing, general telephone queries from clients, candidates and the general public.

• Receiving post and emails, dealing with the routine and forwarding the rest to the relevant member of the team.

Additional Responsibilities

In addition to the key responsibilities, it is expected that the Researcher support new members of the team in their induction and training.

This post is expected to develop and for new duties to be added as work streams and technologies change.

Person Specification and Qualifications

Experience and Skills

Essential

• Research experience, whether it is in academia, executive search or other sectors.

• Exemplary organisational and multi-tasking skills and ability to work on tight deadlines.

• Technology skills: ability to use computerbased technology to complete different tasks.

• Competency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.

• Working knowledge of databases, data and communicating the salient points of complex information.

• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills.

• Good interpersonal skills capable of maintaining strong relationships.

• Good understanding of cultural diversity.

• Keen attention to detail.

• Demonstrable experience and confidence to liaise with senior colleagues.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

• Excellent written and oral English language communication skills.

• Excellent written and oral French Language communication skills.

Desirable

• Additional language skills.

• Experience working remotely.

• Experience working with diverse time zones.

Personal Style and Behaviour

• Ability to remain calm under pressure and respond to changing demands and priorities when required.

• Team player: ability to work effectively within and across teams, and ability to build strong relationships with remote teams.

• Collaborative and inclusive working style.

• Ability to reach collegiate decisions.

• Ability to foresee and mitigate problems, as well as a proactive approach to problem solving.

• Self-motivated and driven to succeed.

• Self-awareness and empathy.

• A positive, supportive attitude towards colleagues, candidates and clients.

Personal Attributes

• Commitment to Oxford HR’s culture and core values.

• Honest and trustworthy.

• Eager to learn and contribute to a collective goal.

• Confident and not afraid to take the initiative.

• Flexible and ability to adapt to change.

Oxford HR Values

Oxford HR’s values are aligned with those of the international development sector, and we are trusted to appoint leaders who are not only technically competent but who are also aligned in terms of organisation’s culture and goals and committed to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the priorities in the Agenda 2030. More specifically we believe in:

Continuous improvement – we measure and evaluate what we do, get feedback and improve uponit. We use technology to support our work and ensure our team are constantly learning and developing their skills. We innovate wherever we can to secure our approach is the best possible for any project we undertake. We’re open to criticism. We’re naturally curious.

Collective and personal expertise – we believe no one person has a monopoly on the right answer and ensure we work collectively on our projects and challenges. We share knowledge and focus on disseminating ideas and expertise across the whole organisation. We hire people who are steepedin the backgrounds they’re delivering services in, who are professional and resourceful, and constantly eager to learn and committed to their own personal development.

Care – for our staff, our associates, our clients and candidates and for the sectors we work in. We work globally, across many cultures and constantly strive for a culturally sensitive response in all our projects. Our culture is non-hierarchical, and we regard staff and associates as equal parts of our Oxford HR family.

Cultural sensitivity - we recognise the under representation of certain minority groups in leadership roles and want to challenge that wherever we can. We relish having a diverse workforce.

Ethical and transparent – we uphold principles of ethical recruitment including openness and transparency in our dealings with candidates and clients.

How to Apply

To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button in the job landing page and complete our online application form. Please provide a CV and statement, which should be prepared before applying as they will be requested in the application process. The statement should be no more than 2 pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. Please relate your skills and experience to the person specification.

Closing Date

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Selection Process

All candidates will receive feedback. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake additional assessments and tasks prior to the final interview.

Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Equality and diversity are at the core of Oxford HR’s values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

Queries

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email mlaguna@oxfordhr.co.uk