Research Manager for Somalia based in Mogadishu

BACKGROUND ON IMPACT AND REACH

REACH was born in 2010 as a joint initiative of two International NGOs (IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED) and the United Nations Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). REACH’s purpose is to promote and facilitate the development of information products that enhance the humanitarian community’s decision making and planning capacity for emergency, reconstruction and development contexts. REACH facilitates information management for aid actors through three complementary services: (a) need and situation assessments facilitated by REACH teams; (b) situation analysis using satellite imagery; (c) provision of related database and (web)-mapping facilities and expertise.

IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization manages several initiatives, including the REACH Initiative. The IMPACT team comprises specialists in data collection, management and analysis and GIS. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO whose headquarter is based in Paris and is present in thirty countries. The two organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, enabling IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support on its fields of intervention.

We are currently looking for a Research Manager to support our team in Somalia.

Department:                 REACH

Position:                      Research Manager

Contract duration:        12 months

Location:                      Mogadishu, Somalia

Starting Date:               10th February 2025

Deadline to Apply: 13th January 2025

COUNTRY PROFILE

Somalia’s protracted and dynamic humanitarian crisis continues to include ongoing conflict, climate-related shocks, and outbreaks of communicable diseases. Armed conflict remains a threat to Somalia’s stability and humanitarian landscape, perpetuated primarily by militant and armed groups. Despite the Federal Government of Somalia’s counter-offensive launched in August 2022, armed forces continue to launch attacks targeting civilians, and critical infrastructures. Additionally, dry spells and flooding continue to compound existing vulnerabilities in Somalia. The combination of restricted access to resources, drought, and flooding further exacerbates the possibility for outbreaks of communicable diseases like measles, cholera, and acute watery diarrhea (AWD).

Against this backdrop, IMPACT Initiatives has developed a wide range of research cycles to provide an evidence-base for the humanitarian community. This includes support to the Somali Cash Consortium, the Joint Market Monitoring Initiative, Detailed Site Assessments (DSAs) and the Durable Solutions Readiness Assessment (DSRA); and leadership of the Multi-Sectoral Needs Assessment (MSNA), Humanitarian Situation Monitoring (HSM), Rapid Needs Assessments (RNAs) and Real Time Monitoring (RTM).

PROJECT PROFILE

IMPACT is seeking an experienced candidate, who has previously managed various teams and implemented projects in a complex humanitarian setting. The candidate should be comfortable representing IMPACT with donors and be able to coordinate and liaise with a range of senior external partners. The Research Manager (RM) will be responsible for overseeing the development and strategy of the inter-sectoral unit, which includes the following research cycles: MSNA, HSM, RNAs and RTM.  The RM may on additional work streams and management responsibilities, as well as advise in strategic mission decision-making, as a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), in coordination with other SMT members. The RM will be under the supervision of the IMPACT Deputy Country Representative in Mogadishu. The position is based in Mogadishu.

FUNCTIONS

Under the management of the Deputy Country Representative, the Research Manager will be responsible for the implementation and completion of the various research cycles within the unit. This will include operational and programmatic oversight of MSNA, HSM, RNA and RTM activities, including line-management of 2-5 national and international staff, oversight of project implementation, operational oversight in terms of logistics, administration, HR, logistics, partner coordination, reporting, grants management, and finance, and providing input to the strategic development of REACH in-country.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Research Manager responsibilities include the following:

STAFF MANAGEMENT

• Direct management of senior international and national assessment ISU team members, including recruitment, appraisals, and career management.

• Day-to-day management of HSM, MSNA, RNA and RTM teams, including the development of work plans and performance indicators, and development and implementation of capacity training plans to improve efficiency and performance.

• Conduct regular check-ins with staff within the unit, and promote team building, productivity and staff welfare as the main pastoral focal point for HSM, MSNA, RNA and RTM teams;

• Be available to provide regular support and technical backstopping;

MANAGEMENT OF RESEARCH CYCLES

• Assessment Preparation and Planning: 

  • Ensure that all assessments are planned in-line with relevant project and programme objectives and with REACH research cycle and other relevant guidelines including HQ strategy with regards to humanitarian emergencies;

  • Ensure that all HSM, MSNA and RNA/RTM staff are comprehensively briefed on objectives and expected outputs of research cycles, and that the overall implementation strategy of any given activity is clearly understood;

  • Ensure that required secondary data analysis has been conducted in preparation for an assessment;

  • For each assessment, review ToRs before they are sent to Geneva for validation and ensure that TORs are validated by HQ before data collection begins;

  • Compose and construct, in close coordination with GIS and data management team, qualitative and quantitative data collection tools;

  • Ensure relevant stakeholders and partners are engaged in assessment design and planning, data collection, and management.

• Data Collection:

  • Monitor data collection, ensuring correct implementation in line with agreed TORs;

  • Keep track of progress and delays of all assigned assessment throughout the research cycle;

  • Ensure regular situation updates on data collection have been produced and circulated to relevant REACH, ACTED and external counterparts. Provide support and follow up on identified challenges during the data collection process;

  • Work closely with the REACH Operational Manager and Field Manager in order to ensure logistics, financial, administration, security and HR processes directly related to REACH are appropriately implemented, alongside the relevant ACTED departments in close coordination with the field and logistics teams;

  • In close coordination with the REACH Operational Manager and ACTED security department, the field team and the logistic teams, monitor the security situation on the ground and conduct regular check-ins with staff in the field.

• Product Drafting:

  • Maintain regular communication with IMPACT HQ on progress and deadlines for written products;

  • Ensure the drafting of timely and accurate assessment outputs (i.e. reports, factsheets, etc.) which comply with IMPACT’s guidelines and quality standards;

  • Review all HSM, MSNA and RNA/RTM teams’ products before they are sent to IMPACT HQ for validation and ensure that all written products are validated by IMPACT HQ before external release.

• Product Dissemination and Evaluation:

  • Under supervision of IMPACT HQ, ensure that research products are uploaded in relevant data portals, as specified in Research ToRs;

  • Ensure that lessons learned are gathered and documented at the end of each research cycle;

  • Under the direction of the Deputy Country Representative, engage in the dissemination of research products, including through articles, IMPACT social media contents, targeted e-mails, coordination body presentations, and bilateral meetings, in line with IMPACT Dissemination and External Communication Guidelines and Research ToRs;

  • Support the Deputy Country Representative to conduct monitoring and evaluation as specified in the research ToRs and in line with IMPACT Guidelines.

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION:

• Lead on identifying information gaps in line with humanitarian priorities, and identify advocacy and dissemination strategies to strengthen the impact of our work;

• Under the direction of the Deputy Country Representative, formalize synergies with other assessment and knowledge management actors, as well as strategic partnerships with key humanitarian stakeholders and decision makers;

• As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), contribute to the development and implementation of the REACH Somalia country strategy plan;

• Review dissemination strategies to strengthen the impact of HSM, MSNA, RNA and RTM projects.

EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT:

• Create and follow a dissemination plan that aligns with the broader REACH strategic vision in-country;

• Represent REACH/IMPACT in cluster and multi-sector meetings/technical working groups in country, and follow up on technical issues identified in cluster meetings;

• In coordination with the Deputy Country Representative, present research findings to relevant partners, to enhance their use and impact;

• In coordination with the Deputy Country Representative, ensure that relevant partners are consulted and involved at all stages of research cycle: the preparation of the assessment; data collection; data analysis; review of research products; product dissemination; and lessons learnt;

• Ensure that external communications with partners and key stakeholders, including UN agencies, local and national government, and NGOs has been conducted and documented as appropriate

• Support the Deputy Country Representative in external engagement on REACH/IMPACT strategy or (when requested and with focal point) for fundraising and grants management.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO COMMUNITIES:

• Ensure that all interactions with communities in Somalia, with regards to HSM, MSNA and RNA/RTM programmes, are conducted in a respectful and consultative manner. Due attention must be paid to ensuring that communities are adequately consulted and informed about IMPACT programme objectives, activities and methodologies. This is the responsibility of every IMPACT staff member.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION:

• Maintain the strictest confidentiality on all data collected and related processes. He/she will actively take measures to prevent the unauthorized sharing of any information and data belonging to IMPACT and its partners, or collected during his/her assignment with IMPACT.

REQUIREMENTS

• Academic: Excellent academic qualifications, including a master’s degree in a relevant discipline (International Relations, Political Sciences, Social Research, Economics, Development Studies, or similar)

• Management experience: Previous experience in an INGO at field level. Proven track record in successful management of international and national teams in humanitarian contexts.

• Familiarity aid system: Familiarity with the aid system, and the research community.

• Communication/reporting skills: Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting, including proven experience in contributing to high level presentations/briefings.

• Years of work experience: At least 3 years of relevant working experience preferably in the humanitarian and research field or proven progression within IMPACT.

• Research skills: Excellent research and analytical skills. Excellent quantitative and qualitative research design, data collection, and data analysis experience required. Experience in assessments, M&E, field research and evaluations are assets.

• Team management skills: Excellent communication and management skills. Experience in management required.

• Software skills: Proven knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, to include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with R and Power Bi are assets.

• Multi-tasking skills: Ability to multitask with tight deadlines, on numerous research cycles in complex environment.

• Level of independence: A self-starter with a proven ability to work independently.

• Cross-cultural work environment: Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility.

• Experience in geographical region: Past experience in the East Africa region is desirable.

• Language skills: Fluency in English required.

• Security environment: Ability to operate in a complex and challenging security environment.

 

COMPENSATION

• For this position, salary between 3’500 CHF and 3’720 CHF monthly (before income tax), etc as well as a monthly living allowance of 300 USD

• NB - IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary grid depending on the grade of the position and the level of education of staff. A location-dependent security and/or isolation adjustment is then applied as a recognition that some staff are required to work in difficult places where living and working conditions are much more difficult than elsewhere.

• Accommodation and food provided in a guesthouse.

• Enrolment in Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approx. 9.975% of staff gross salary), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance

• Flight tickets every 6 months & visa fees covered (in-country travel costs and professional expenses are fully covered)

• Contribution to the luggage transportation: between 20 and 100 kgs, depending on the length of the contract (+ luggage and personal property insurance)

• Annual leave of 36 days per year. Public holidays of the country of assignment. Family/compassionate leave when applicable.

• Predeparture induction - 3 days at IMPACT Initiatives’s HQ in Geneva + one week pre-departure training in ACTED HQ in Paris, including a 4-days in situ security training;

• Enrolment in IMPACT Initiatives Research Foundational Learning Programme within the first 3 months from the start of contract.

• IMPACT prioritizes the psychological safety of its staff and the health insurance provided covers, among others, up to 1000 € per year of psychosocial counselling fees.

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