Research & Publication Project Manager [6 Month Contract]

Rouya is seeking an experienced researcher and seasoned writer to lead the development of high-quality, research-led publications and oversee research workstreams. This 6 month, project-based role that combines investigative research, knowledge management, and collaborative writing, working closely with both the narrative and research teams to deliver impactful projects. 1. Strategic Research, Framework Design & Insight Development Design and iterate overarching research frameworks, including key questions, thematic pillars, methodologies, and evaluative criteria, to guide publications from initial inquiry through to final narrative. Map the end-to-end journey from raw data to finished essay, ensuring a logical and coherent flow between archival findings and contemporary stakeholder insights. Execute deep-dive investigations using National Libraries and Rouya’s internal library to uncover historical context and primary source documents. Maintain exhaustive desktop research across academic papers, reports, and relevant media to ensure our insights remain at the cutting edge. Lead stakeholder engagement by identifying and interviewing key figures, translating qualitative, on-the-ground perspectives into narrative-driven insights. Synthesise complex data into clear, recurring themes and compelling long-term narratives. 2. Knowledge Management Build and maintain the project’s central Research Repository within Google Workspace, ensuring all data is logged, categorised, and searchable. Ensure research assets in Google Workspace are organised, version-controlled, and meet Rouya's formatting and citation standards. Serve as the ultimate gatekeeper for accuracy by implementing a rigorous fact-checking process and ensuring the published content is grounded in primary evidence. 3. Publication Development & Writing Translate dense research into sophisticated, engaging essays and articles in close collaboration with the wider writing team. Distill high-level findings from stakeholder interviews and archival data into clear, concise Executive Summaries for diverse audiences. Maintain brand integrity by ensuring publication uphold a consistent intellectual tone and meet Rouya's visual and narrative standards. 4. Project Management Oversee the project’s master production roadmap in ClickUp, including building workspaces, setting multi-phase milestones, managing dependencies, and tracking the Writing Pipeline. Lead professional client and internal updates, utilising ClickUp Dashboards or Google Slides to communicate progress, obstacles, and key findings. Requirements 5+ years in a senior research, writing, or content development role (e.g., Journalism, Think Tanks, or Strategic Consulting). Demonstrated ability to build a research framework from scratch and manage a complex verification trail. Strong ability to synthesise information, identify patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions. A clear, structured writing style and a proven ability to produce long-form content that is both intellectually rigorous and highly readable. Proven experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.