SITHANDIWE MUJURU
Stafford
Summary
Research professional with experience in evidence synthesis, policy analysis, and applied social research within international development contexts. Skilled in conducting literature reviews, qualitative data collection, and producing clear, evidence-based outputs. Strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills developed through collaborative research projects.
Now seeking to apply research and analytical expertise within UK adult social care, with a particular interest in inequality, service access, and improving outcomes for vulnerable groups. Adaptable, organised, and committed to contributing effectively in practice-based or support-focused roles.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Research Assistant and Helpdesk Coordinator
Knowledge for Development and Diplomacy (K4DD)
07.2024 - Current
- Conducting comprehensive literature reviews and synthesis for Rapid Evidence Reviews
- Conducting literature reviews and sysnthesis for monthly Conflict Evidence and Discourse Summaries
- Peer reviewing rapid evidence reviews for other researchers before submission to FCDO
- Editing the reviews and doing copyright checks before publication
- Managing the publication process of the reviews
- Creating and maintaining project schedules and keeping detailed records of project activities
- Assisting the helpdesk manager with receiving, clarifying and recording new research requests from FCDO
- Managing the K4DD SharePoint tracking systems by logging and updating queries
- Preparing and circulating internal activity reports
Programme and Communications Officer
Thinking and Working Politically Community of Practice (TWP)
02.2024 - 03.2026
- Conducting literature reviews and summarising findings for the TWP newsletter
- Editing interview videos and podcasts for publication
- Reviewing and formatting TWP papers prior to publishing
- Drafting, managing and publishing the TWP newsletter
- Monitoring project budgets and preparing quarterly invoice breakdowns and reports
- Handling requisitions, invoicing and receipts
- Providing administrative support and coordinating day-to-day tasks
- Organising and facilitating events (both online and in-person)
- Managing social media accounts and communications strategies
- Maintaining and updating the TWP CoP website
- Facilitated internal communications, maintaining open channels of dialogue within the organisation.
Research Assistant/Intern
Governance and Social Development Research Centre (GSDRC)
04.2019 - 04.2023
- Lead author of a working paper (2025), producing a concise, evidence-based report with contributions from co-authors
- Conducted literature reviews, analysed research, and co-authored reports for Rapid Evidence Assessments on Norm Diffusion (2023)
- Reviewed, edited, and published research reports on the K4D website, performing copyright checks and writing abstracts (2019-2022)
- Assisted in research projects by conducting literature searches, synthesising findings, and providing logistical support for events and workshops (2019)
- Maintained and updated the research database and conducted citation analyses to track research impact (2019 and 2022)
- Managed social media communications to disseminate research outputs
Research Intern
Mo Ibrahim Foundation
11.2019 - 05.2020
- Conducted research and literature reviews on governance and development in Africa
- Interpreted and analysed data using Microsoft Excel to support research outputs
- Assisted in writing and editing content for the publication of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance report
- Shared research findings and outputs with the Now Generation Network to support knowledge dissemination
Volunteering
Catholic Relief Services
05.2018 - 08.2018
- Conducted face to face interviews with project beneficiaries as part of monitoring and evaluation activities
- Analysed data using Microsoft Excel and SPSS to assess project outcomes
- Drafted Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) reports to inform project improvements
Project Intern
Umzingwane AIDS Network
06.2016 - 07.2017
- Planned and implemented projects focused on HIV prevention and poverty resilience for youth, women, and men in heavily affected rural communities
- Conducted research and analysis to identify effective strategies for rural contexts
- Facilitated community mapping exercises to inform project design
- Supported the Senior Project Manager in implementing initiatives, organising meetings, and taking minutes for executive sessions
- Conducted door-to-door data collection and observation to inform poverty resilience projects (Qualitative interviews)
- Liaised with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Welfare, and partner NGOs to coordinate programs and update beneficiary information
- Entered and analysed data using Microsoft Excel and SPSS for project monitoring and evaluation
- Prepared reports for the Program Director and funders, including project fund requests and appraisals
Education
Master of Science - International Development (Governance and State Building)
University of Birmingham
UK01-2020
Bachelor of Science - Development Studies
Lupane State University
Zimbabwe01-2017
Skills
- Qualitative Research
- Literature reviews
- Literature analysis
- Proofreading and editing
- Data Analysis
- Excellent written and verbal skills
- Administrative support
- Microsoft Excel
- Excellent communication
- Organised
- Report writing
- Peer reviewing
- Independent researching
- Evidence synthesis
Publications
- Norm diffusion: How global gender norms are adopted in low and middle-income countries, Mujuru et.al, 2025, GSDRC
- K4DD Conflict Evidence and Discourse Summary December 2025, Mujuru, S., 2025, Institute of Development Studies, Brighton, UK
- K4DD Conflict Evidence and Discourse Summary November 2025, Mujuru, S., 2025, Institute of Development Studies, Brighton, UK
- K4DD Mpox Health Evidence Summary No 5, Mujuru, S., 2024, Institute of Development Studies, 10.19088/K4DD.2024.047, Brighton, UK
- K4DD Mpox Health Evidence Summary No 2, Mujuru, S., 2024, Institute of Development Studies, 10.19088/K4DD.2024.044, Brighton, UK
- Book Review of The Politics of Development, Mujuru, S., 2024, Thinking and Working Politically Community of Practice Newsletter
- Workplace based learning and youth employment in Africa, Ismail, Z., and Mujuru, S., 2020, INCLUDE PLATFORM
Certification
- Political Economy Analysis in Action
Dissertations
- The Politics of Participatory Public Policy Making in Zimbabwe: The Case of the 2013 Constitution Making Process, Distinction, Lupane State University
- New Dispensation? Assessing the Politics of Reform in Post Mugabe Zimbabwe, Distinction, University of Birmingham
Timeline
Research Assistant and Helpdesk Coordinator
Knowledge for Development and Diplomacy (K4DD)
07.2024 - Current
Programme and Communications Officer
Thinking and Working Politically Community of Practice (TWP)
02.2024 - 03.2026
Research Intern
Mo Ibrahim Foundation
11.2019 - 05.2020
Research Assistant/Intern
Governance and Social Development Research Centre (GSDRC)
04.2019 - 04.2023
Volunteering
Catholic Relief Services
05.2018 - 08.2018
Project Intern
Umzingwane AIDS Network
06.2016 - 07.2017
Master of Science - International Development (Governance and State Building)
University of Birmingham
Bachelor of Science - Development Studies
Lupane State University