Research Manager – REACH multi-sector unit, for RCA

Research Manager – REACH multi-sector unit, for RCA

Please apply to  Research Manager – REACH Multisectoral Unit | Impact (impact-initiatives.org)

PRESENTATION OF IMPACT INITIATIVES

IMPACT Initiatives is a non-governmental organization (NGO), based in Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in data collection, information management and analysis that supports humanitarian action in countries in crisis. IMPACT Initiatives is an organization linked to ACTED, an international NGO based in Paris and present in more than thirty countries. The two organizations have developed a good complementarity, formalized through a global partnership.

PRESENTATION OF THE REACH INITIATIVE

REACH was created in 2010 as a joint initiative of two international NGOs (IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED) and the United Nations Program for Operational Satellite Applications (UNOSAT). The objective of REACH is to promote and facilitate the development of information products that improve the decision-making and planning capacity of the humanitarian community in emergency, reconstruction and development contexts. REACH facilitates information management for aid actors through three complementary services: a) needs and situation assessment facilitated by REACH teams; b) analysis of the situation using satellite images; c) provision of integrated databases and web maps.

We are looking for a Research Manager for the REACH multisectoral unit in CAR

Department  : REACH

Position  : Research Manager – REACH Multisector Unit

Contract duration  : 12 months

Base  : Bangui, RCA, with the possibility of moving to bases

Contract date  : As soon as possible

POSITION PROFILE

The Central African Republic is in the throes of a protracted and complex conflict that has lasted uninterrupted for more than a decade, despite the political landmark of the Khartoum Agreement of April 2019, which was intended to resolve the open conflict between the government and the various armed groups, and re-include them in the political process. Since the beginning of 2020, this political and security environment has darkened with a renewal of conflicts in several countries of the territory, perpetuating a catastrophic humanitarian situation for an ever-increasing number of affected populations. Numerous environmental disasters like cyclical floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic since March/April 2020 do nothing to improve this picture of acute humanitarian needs.

Since 2015, REACH has been supporting the Rapid Response Mechanism in the CAR, and from 2019 REACH activities have developed drastically, with the implementation of multisectoral needs assessments throughout the territory, activities in difficult areas. access, activities in support of the Cash Working Group, ad-hoc assessments in support of specific clusters (WASH, Education), and infrastructure mapping activities, and emergency mapping in net development. To accompany this significant increase in REACH activities (in addition to other activities), it was decided to create a multisectoral unit to bring together under common management all multisectoral activities and assessments,

RESPONSIBILITIES

The REACH Research Manager will be assigned to the following tasks:

Management of the research cycles of the multisectoral unit

Planning and preparing for assessments:

• Ensure that all planned evaluations are done in line with programmatic objectives and following REACH guidelines for research cycle development;
• Ensure that secondary data analysis is done in preparation for evaluations;
• For each evaluation, review the research terms of reference (ToRs) before sending them to Geneva for validation, and ensure that these ToRs are validated by headquarters before the start of data collection;
• Ensure that the ToRs are understood and used by evaluation teams and relevant partners, and updated as necessary; ensure the development, in close collaboration with the GIS and database teams, of qualitative or quantitative data collection tools; and ensure the involvement of these GIS and database teams in the assessments;
• Track assessment progress and timelines as assessments progress. Ensure that identified deadlines and challenges are duly
• Ensure that all relevant partners are involved in the development of research cycles.

Data collection and management

• Ensure the implementation of training for data collection;
• Supervise data collection exercises, ensuring proper implementation of ToRs, any necessary SOPs and humanitarian and do  no  harm principles;
• Ensure that the Country Coordinator is alerted to any problem preventing the proper conduct of data collection and methodologies in line with the ToRs; ensure that methodological adjustments are duly documented;
• Ensure the proper implementation of logistics, finance, administrative, security and HR processes directly related to REACH and in collaboration with ACTED support departments;
• Ensure that regular updates on data collections are circulated to internal focal points and relevant external stakeholders. Provide support and follow-up on challenges identified during collections;
• Ensure that all data collected is stored in line with IMPACT data management guidelines, and in line with ToRs. Ensure the correct review and data cleaning process. Supervise the online data analysis process with the ToRs, following relevant and methodologically precise techniques;
• Ensure Headquarters validation of the cleaned databases and analysis before starting the output drafting process;

Drafting of outputs

• Maintain regular communication with IMPACT Headquarters on progress and deadlines for activity outputs;
• Ensure the production of evaluation outputs that are accurate and on time initially within the ToRs, and that comply with IMPACT-REACH guidelines and quality standards;
• Review and revise outputs before sending to IMPACT Headquarters for final validation;
• Ensure that all outputs produced are validated by IMPACT Headquarters before external dissemination; or in specific cases, ensure that you have received a temporary green light for restricted internal release.

Dissemination of outputs and internal evaluation

• Under the direction of the IMPACT Country Coordinator, get involved in the dissemination of research outputs, through articles, IMPACT and REACH social media content, email campaigns, presentations, meetings, etc in line with the ToRs and the IMPACT dissemination and external communication guidelines;
• Under the supervision of IMPACT Headquarters, ensure that research outputs are published on all relevant online platforms, as specified in the ToRs;
• Ensure that lessons learned for each research cycle are collected and duly documented;
• Support the Country Coordinator for the implementation of internal monitoring & evaluation exercises as specified in the ToRs and in line with the IMPACT guidelines.

HR management of the multisectoral unit team

• Hold regular meetings with the international and national staff of the multisectoral unit to check the progress made for each research cycle and to review the schedules;
• Bilateral HR management of international staff and senior national staff, including (with the consultation of the Country Coordinator) conducting performance evaluations to take part in the career management of these staff;
• In coordination with the Country Coordinator, conduct inductions for new team members; including training to ensure technical skills in research cycle development, implementation and analysis;
• Support the Country Coordinator in the development and implementation of training plans for members of the multisectoral unit, and members of the IMPACT team in general, in the capital and in the field;
• When relevant, take part with the Country Coordinator in the process of recruiting international staff.

External relations

• In coordination with the Country Coordinator, ensure that all relevant partners are consulted and included in all stages of the research cycles: cycle development, data collection, joint data analyses, review of outputs if planned , dissemination of outputs, and discussion of lessons learned; ensure that this involvement of partners is documented;
• In coordination with the Country Coordinator, present the results of research cycles to partners and external actors, to ensure the use and impact of these activities;
• Ensure positive, coherent and strategic communication with key partners and actors, including national and international NGOs, civil society organizations, UN agencies, national agencies, local and national authorities, etc.; and that this communication is duly documented;
• In coordination with the Country Coordinator, represent IMPACT and REACH in strategic and/or technical external engagements in relation to the evaluations of the multisectoral unit;
• Support the Country Coordinator in external engagements in relation to fundraising efforts for the IMPACT-REACH activities of the multi-sectoral unit, and in the management of ongoing grants.

Strategy development and implementation

In support of the IMPACT Country Coordinator, the REACH Research Manager will actively contribute to the development of the REACH strategy in the Central African Republic. In particular, he or she will support strategic development efforts:

• On the needs for assessments, in connection with the identified humanitarian priorities;
• On synergies with other evaluations and efforts implemented by humanitarian and key partners;
• On strategic partnerships with key operational and/or decision-making partners/actors;
• On key events and processes that need to be informed by REACH assessments;
• On advocacy and dissemination and external communication strategies to enhance the impact of REACH activities;
• On support in the preparation and follow-up of seminars and strategic plans at CAR level, in coordination between IMPACT and ACTED;
• On engagement with IMPACT HQ on global strategic priorities.

Others

• Support the Country Coordinator in the production of project proposals for donors, interim and/or final narrative and/or financial reports on projects involving activities of the REACH multisectoral unit;
• Maintain an overview of budget availability for the evaluation activities of the REACH multisectoral unit; and participate in the monthly financial monitoring of the aforementioned projects;
• Other duties as requested and jointly discussed with line managers.

PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION

The REACH Research Manager will maintain the strictest confidentiality on all data collected and associated processes, and will take active measures to prevent the unauthorized sharing of information and data belonging to IMPACT and its partners, or collected during its mission with IMPACT.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO AFFECTED COMMUNITIES AND POPULATIONS

The staff member is responsible for ensuring that all relationships with IMPACT target communities and partner work are conducted in a respectful and consultative manner. Care should be taken to ensure that communities are properly consulted and informed about IMPACT program objectives, activities, beneficiary selection criteria and methodologies. This responsibility rests with every IMPACT staff member.

REQUIREMENTS

Profile / Knowledge:

• Relevant and excellent academic qualifications, including a university degree in a relevant discipline;
• 3 years of progressive and relevant professional experience in the humanitarian or philanthropic environment in general;
• Excellent management, coordination, planning and prioritization skills required, including the ability to manage heavy tasks, supervise several teams and complete projects within the planned deadlines;
• Experience in engagement and external communication required (donors, partners, other key actors);
• Familiarity and understanding of the humanitarian coordination system required;
• Ability to work independently and remotely manage teams if needed;
• Knowledge of the Central African or regional context desired;
• A spirit of curiosity, of challenging the established order, and a willingness not to follow the  status quo  of the current humanitarian system.

Technical skills :

• Understanding of the processes involved in implementing needs assessments, including (but not limited to) excellent skills in research techniques (qualitative and quantitative), project management. Good skills in statistical analysis, use of statistical research software and computer coding will be an asset;
• Desired skills in financial and administrative management of a non-profit project;
• Ability to work in French continuously and at a professional and sustained level;
• Ability to work in English desired, especially for external and global communications;

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