OUR UNITS

USM Satellite Socio-Economic Research and Data Analytics Center

Engage  │  Collaborate │  Advocate

01  Socio-Economic Research Services Unit (SERSU)

The backbone of the center’s technical services, SERSU facilitates advisory and consultancy services, manages project development and implementation, and pools socio-economic experts across allied disciplines. It also oversees financial records and promotional strategies for center services.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Facilitate technical advisory and consultancy services of the center
  • Lead the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of center projects
  • Pool socio-economic experts and allied discipline specialists for research and consultancy
  • Manage fees and financial records for all center service transactions
  • Monitor services rendered by consultants and facilitate their evaluation
  • Develop promotional and marketing plans for center services
  • Submit quarterly accomplishment reports to the Center Head

02  Policy Research, Analysis and Innovation Services (PRAISe) Unit

PRAISe focuses on evidence-based policy work, strategic foresight, and innovation systems development. It provides technical assistance and evidence-based recommendations to policymakers, government agencies, and development partners.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Conduct policy research, strategic studies, and evidence-based policy analysis
  • Provide technical advisory services and policy recommendations to government agencies and development partners
  • Undertake program and project assessment, monitoring, and evaluation
  • Lead strategic foresight, scenario-building, and future-oriented policy studies
  • Develop policy briefs, position papers, legislative analyses, and technical reports
  • Facilitate policy dialogues, consultations, and stakeholder engagement activities
  • Promote innovation-driven and evidence-informed approaches to public policy

03  GAD Integrated Research Laboratory (GIRL)

A dedicated laboratory for gender-responsive and inclusive research, GIRL integrates Gender and Development (GAD) principles into research design, implementation, monitoring, and policy analysis to ensure equitable and inclusive development outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Conduct gender-responsive, inclusive, and equity-focused research and development initiatives
  • Integrate GAD principles into research design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
  • Provide technical assistance on gender mainstreaming in policies, programs, and institutional systems
  • Undertake gender analysis and impact assessment for development interventions and public policies
  • Facilitate capacity-building activities on GAD, inclusive research, and gender-sensitive policy development
  • Establish partnerships supporting women’s empowerment, social inclusion, and marginalized sectors
  • Produce publications, policy briefs, and advocacy materials on gender and inclusive development

04  Capacity Building and Training Services Unit (CBTSU)

CBTSU plans, implements, and evaluates all training programs of the center. It conducts training needs assessments, develops modules and manuals, manages logistics, and monitors training impact through tracer studies.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Conduct training needs assessment (TNA) for researchers, academicians, planners, policymakers, and development workers
  • Develop and produce training modules, manuals, and marketing materials
  • Manage logistical requirements for all training activities
  • Document training sessions and prepare pre- and post-training evaluation tools
  • Conduct tracer studies for training graduates to monitor program impact
  • Pool experts from socio-economic and allied disciplines for trainings and advisory services
  • Establish linkages and partnerships with government and non-government institutions

05  Knowledge Management Unit (KMU)

KMU transforms research outputs into accessible and actionable knowledge products. It leads dissemination activities, manages knowledge repositories, and coordinates publication and peer-review processes for institutional outputs.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement institutional knowledge management systems and frameworks
  • Produce knowledge products such as policy briefs, manuals, infographics, journals, and newsletters
  • Lead research dissemination activities including conferences, fora, webinars, and public information campaigns
  • Establish and maintain digital and physical knowledge repositories and databases
  • Coordinate publication, editorial, and peer-review processes for institutional outputs
  • Support intellectual property management, citation standards, and ethical dissemination practices
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of knowledge dissemination and utilization initiatives

06  Data Management Unit (DMU)

DMU handles the center’s data governance, storage, processing, and analytics systems. It ensures data quality, integrity, and compliance with data protection regulations, supporting researchers in survey design, database development, and statistical analysis.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and enforce institutional policies on data governance, privacy, security, and integrity
  • Manage data collection, encoding, storage, retrieval, and archiving systems
  • Conduct data processing, cleaning, validation, and quality assurance procedures
  • Provide statistical analysis, data visualization, and analytics support
  • Ensure compliance with ethical standards and applicable data protection regulations
  • Support researchers in survey design, database development, and data management planning
  • Facilitate data sharing, interoperability, and access management among authorized users

07  Public Relations and Partnership Unit (PRPU)

The center’s external face, PRPU manages stakeholder engagement, institutional networking, public communication, and partnership development. It drives collaboration with government agencies, academic institutions, industries, and civil society.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement institutional communication and public relations strategies
  • Manage stakeholder engagement and maintain relationships with partner institutions and communities
  • Facilitate partnership development through memoranda of agreement and collaboration frameworks
  • Manage media relations, social media platforms, and official communication channels
  • Promote the visibility and public awareness of institutional programs and achievements
  • Coordinate advocacy and community engagement activities related to research and development programs
  • Prepare communication materials, press releases, and stakeholder reports