BACKGROUND ON IMPACT AND REACH
Created in 2010, IMPACT is a Geneva-based NGO and the largest independent data provider in contexts of crisis. IMPACT aims to support a range of stakeholders in making better, more informed decisions in humanitarian, stabilization, and development settings. Through our team of assessment, data, geospatial, and thematic specialists, IMPACT promotes the design of people-centred research and set standards for collecting and analysing rigorous, high quality data in complex environments. Over the past 15 years, IMPACT has been growing in size and geographic reach to become one of the largest humanitarian research agencies in the humanitarian sector.
IMPACT's teams implement assessment, monitoring, evaluation, and organisational capacity-building programmes in direct partnership with aid actors. IMPACT's team is composed of over 200 full-time international experts as well as a roster of consultants, who are currently implementing over 50 programmes in over 30 countries across Africa, Middle East and North Africa, Central and South-east Asia, and Eastern Europe.
We are currently looking for a Research Manager to lead our Systems Strengthening and Localization Unit for the Sudan mission.
Department : Systems Strengthening and Localization (SSL) Unit
Position : Research Manager
Contract duration : 6 months (with possibility to extend depending on funding)
Starting Date : 15 October
Location : Nairobi, Kenya or Kampala, Uganda.
COUNTRY PROFILE
Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in Khartoum on 15 April 2023 and spread quickly across the country. Civilians have fled areas affected by fighting in large numbers, including to Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. Prices of food, fuel and other basic goods have skyrocketed, making critical goods unaffordable for many people. Half of Sudan’s population are in need of humanitarian assistance, and the country is on the verge of a catastrophic hunger crisis. Humanitarian organizations are racing to respond to the most pressing needs wherever and whenever feasible, with access issues complicating the ability of actors to respond.
POSITION PROFILE
The Research Manager will be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the new Systems Strengthening and Localization Unit, under the supervision of the IMPACT Deputy Country Coordinator, and IMPACT HQ in Geneva. The candidate should have a strong technical background in humanitarian research with demonstrated experience in information process optimization and coordination among a range of operational actors.
Responsibilities
Lead the design and roll-out of research strategies for the Systems Strengthening and Localization (SSL) Unit, ensuring alignment with a diverse humanitarian and operational landscape;
Identify gaps and opportunities for systems strengthening approaches, building a credible portfolio of workstreams that influence operations in the Darfurs and facilitate improved coordination;
Build and implement a new strategy for IMPACT to scale up in new areas in country;
Oversee the development and execution of the Sudan mission’s localization strategy, including managing key deliverables such as skill exchange sessions with local responders and joint assessments with local partners;
Develop and implement dissemination strategies to strengthen the impact of the SSL Unit programmes;
Engage with HQ on SSL Unit research and/or coordination and provide support to relevant IMPACT Global Community of Practices (CoPs).
EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT
Co-design and manage research partnerships with operational actors including local and non-traditional actors, establishing a framework for mutual accountability, coordination and data safety standards;
Engage closely with new subnational coordination structures such as the Area Based Coordination in the Darfurs and identify areas of support from IMPACT;
Engage closely with national responders to build joint research cycles and projects;
Represent REACH with donors, partners, and the wider development community working on Sudan.
STAFF MANAGEMENT
Hire the necessary capacity to build the unit;
Direct management of international and national team members in Sudan, Kenya and Uganda, including recruitment and staff career management;
Build relevant processes for the new unit and build the capacity of team members to engage with new approaches and research designs, as well as to leverage IMPACT standards in a constrained operational environment;
Day-to-day management of team members, including the development of work plans and performance indicators.
PROJECT/RESEARCH CYCLE MANAGEMENT
Develop and oversee two new markets systems research cycles aimed at supporting market strengthening activities;
Ensure all assessments and analysis are planned and implemented in a structured and coherent manner, in line with relevant project and strategic objectives, and with global IMPACT guidelines;
Oversee all research cycles, including reviewing ToRs, methodology notes, tools, products and dissemination strategies.
GRANTS MANAGEMENT
Support the Country Representative with managing grants in the SSL Unit, including initial discussions with donors, conceptualization of new projects, drafting proposals, regular reporting, and M&E;
Oversee the financial management of all grants covering Markets and Systems Strengthening projects, including oversight of budget and expenditure;
Ensure that contractual obligations are met in terms of programs deliverables.
Requirements
At least 5 years of relevant working experience in a humanitarian setting, such as program management, evaluation and assessments;
Good understanding of the aid system and the research community. Prior experience with implementing organizations strongly preferred.
Excellent quantitative and qualitative research design, data collection, and data analysis experience required;
Demonstrated team management skills, including remote management;
Strong communication skills required.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary between 3’120 CHF and 3’240 CHF monthly (before income tax), as well as a monthly living allowance of 300 USD;
Accommodation and food provided in the guesthouse.
Enrolment in Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approx. 9.975% of staff gross salary), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance.
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