Research Lead - Social Insights

Job Title: Senior Programme Manager / Research Lead – Italy

Location: Italy (flexible)

Contract: Consulting

About Us
Our Common Home (OCH) is an international nonprofit advancing inclusive climate solutions and is establishing a new entity in Italy. We engage citizens, policymakers, and leaders across the political spectrum, empowering communities to act on their deepest values—land, family, tradition, and future—rather than relying on top-down decrees.

Through a network spanning over a dozen countries, we support locally rooted civic associations, helping them set priorities, strengthen governance, and move toward autonomy. We partner with these organisations to reduce polarisation, build legitimacy, produce rigorous research, and demonstrate clear impact.

At the intersection of climate, democracy, and local leadership, we build coalitions and campaigns that shift narratives, engage diverse audiences, and drive systemic change. By translating values into measurable initiatives, we help keep lands productive, ecosystems healthy, economies resilient, and opportunities open for future generations—while safeguarding the freedoms, heritage, and livelihoods communities depend on.

The Role
Research is central to OCH’s work. It shapes strategy, campaigns, and impact, helping us understand audiences, challenge assumptions, spark creativity, and design interventions that are effective and actionable. Our research spans complex, mixed-methods, multi-phase studies—including audience segmentation and public opinion research.

The Senior Programme Manager / Research Manager will lead local research projects and support the growth of OCH in Italy. This role combines research expertise with strategic insight and local knowledge, ensuring activities are relevant, actionable, and aligned with OCH’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Align local research with OCH’s national strategies and priorities.


• Adapt methods, frameworks, and tools for local relevance.


• Identify contextual challenges that may impact research.


• Lead selection, onboarding, and coordination of local advisers, consultants, and research agencies.


• Design and localise research instruments; participate in data collection.


• Analyse data, develop locally grounded segment archetypes and personas.


• Synthesise findings into clear, actionable insights and reports.

Additional 

• Advise on legal set-up, branding, and naming for the new entity.


• Attend funder and internal meetings as needed.
  
  

What We’re Looking For

• Strong experience in applied research (qualitative and quantitative).


• Proven ability to lead research projects end-to-end and turn findings into actionable insights.


• 6–8 years of experience in market or social research, political/social psychology, or behavioural studies.


• Experience with mixed-methods and cross-country research projects preferred.


• Proficiency in survey, questionnaire, and qualitative tool design and analysis.


• Familiarity with SPSS, R, Excel, and data visualization.


• Familiarity with civic participation, climate issues, or public engagement preferred.


• Excellent coordination and stakeholder management skills.


• Deep understanding of Italy’s social, cultural, and political context.


• Experience contributing to organisational or entity set-up is a plus.


• Fluent in Italian and English.
  
  

Ideal Backgrounds / Roles

• Thinktanks, policy institutes, or research-focused NGOs.


• Strategy, insights, or research teams in NGOs or international organisations.


• Market research, audience insights, or public opinion agencies.


• Academic research roles with applied or policy relevance.
  
  

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving


• Analytical rigour and attention to detail


• Clear communication and storytelling


• Collaborative and adaptable


• Pragmatic, nimble, and action-oriented

What We Offer

• 12-month contract with the view to renew as the entity grows


• Expected commitment: 3–4 days per week


• Support from the wider network