Research Manager for Moldova Based in Chisinau

**BACKGROUND ON IMPACT AND REACH**: ***: IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation manages several initiatives, including the REACH Initiative. The IMPACT team comprises specialists in data collection, management and analysis, GIS and remote sensing. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO with headquarters based in Paris and presence in thirty countries. The two organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, which allows IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support in its fields of intervention. **We are currently looking for a Research Manager to lead our Vulnerability & Inclusion Unit in Moldova.** **Department**: REACH **Position**: Research Manager **Contract duration**: 12 months **Starting Date**: March 2025 **Location**: Chisinau, Moldova **Deadline to apply**:27th January 2025 **COUNTRY PROFILE**: IMPACT has been active in Moldova since late February 2022, following the escalation of conflict in neighbouring Ukraine. IMPACT’s work has primarily been to facilitate the emergency response efforts in support of the more than 700,000 refugees that entered Moldova in the months following. Today, according to UNHCR and the Moldovan Government, approximately 120,000 refugees remain in the country. Alongside the pressures felt due to the Ukraine conflict, Moldovan society continues to grapple with several other interconnected challenges. These include economic uncertainty, energy insecurity, government reform and climate change. The humanitarian response is therefore shifting towards a medium to long term outlook that addresses the vulnerabilities of refugee population alongside those of the Moldovan host population in a holistic manner, through increased support to government entities to provide social assistance that promotes inclusion. IMPACT Moldova’s scope has likewise expanded to conduct research that covers the spectrum of humanitarian and development needs in the country, to provide timely data and analysis to a variety of partners and other relevant stakeholders. With the recent adoption of the Country Strategy 2025-2027, the Moldova mission will focus on three strategic objectives to drive programmatic activities: 1. Ukraine Refugee Response, focused on supporting the regional refugee response plan; 2. Resilient Local Capacities, focused on fostering partnerships with local entities at national and local levels to respond to vulnerable community needs; and 3. Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Action, focused on building communities that are more resilient to natural, anthropogenic and climate-related hazards. **POSITION PROFILE**: **RESPONSIBILITIES**: The Research Manager’s responsibilities will include: **STAFF MANAGEMENT**: - Direct management of international and senior national team members, including recruitment and staff career management. The Vulnerability & Inclusion Unit currently consists of 4 contracted staff; - Development and implementation of capacity training plans for team members; - Day-to-day management of team members, including the development of work plans and performance indicators. **PROJECT/RESEARCH CYCLE MANAGEMENT**: - 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 REACH guidelines; - Oversee all research cycles, including reviewing ToRs, methodology notes, tools, products and dissemination strategies. - Ensure the writing and production of timely, accurate and analytically rigorous reports, assessments, and factsheets; - Ensure relevant stakeholders and partners are engaged in assessment design and planning; - Monitor output achievement, project expenditure and ensure timely completion of the project. - Actively advocate for the improving of analysis within REACH products, and using common methodologies, tools and analysis frameworks across units where relevant **GRANTS MANAGEMENT**: - Under the guidance of the Country Coordinator, manage grants in Vulnerability & Inclusion Unit, including initial discussions with donors, conceptualisation of new projects, drafting proposals, regular reporting, and M&E; - Under the guidance of the Country Coordinator, oversee the financial management of all grants covering Vulnerability & Inclusion Unit projects, including oversight of budget and expenditure; - Ensure that contractual obligations are met in terms of programs deliverables. **EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT**: - In coordination with the Country Coordinator, represent REACH with donors, partners, and the wider development community in Moldova. **STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION**: - Under the guidance of the Country Coordinator, develop the Vulnerability & Inclusion Unit strategy, engagement and involvement with various technical and coordination forums; - Work with key clusters and partner organizations and working groups