Back REACH Research Manager for Iraq

Background on IMPACT and REACH

IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO, based in Geneva, Switzerland, comprising specialists in data collection, information management, analysis and GIS. The organisation manages several initiatives, including the REACH Initiative. 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 organisations have a strong complementarity formalised in a global partnership, enabling IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support on its fields of intervention.

REACH was born in 2010 as a joint initiative of IMPAT and ACTED, as well as 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.

We are currently looking for a Research Manager to support our team in Iraq. This is a senior position, suitable for someone with both research and management experience in the humanitarian sector.

Position: Research Manager

Contract duration: 12 months

Location: Erbil (with regular travel in Iraq)

Starting Date: September 2021

Country profile

Following years of displacement and conflict, the Iraq context is increasingly transitioning to a post-conflict development phase. While reconstruction and development initiatives are underway – with significant international support – populations in Iraq continue to face problems stemming from widespread infrastructural damage, limited access to public services, and economic decline. Humanitarian needs also remain; in 2020, it was estimated that at least 4.1 million IDPs and returnees in Iraq were in need of humanitarian assistance, with climatic shocks likely to continue intensifying humanitarian needs. In addition, 1.2 million IDPs and 4.8 million returnees face hurdles to durable solutions to their displacement, including security concerns, lack of access to livelihoods, destroyed or damaged housing, and limited social cohesion.

To support humanitarian decision-making and evidence-based prioritisation, since 2012 REACH has been working in coordination with humanitarian clusters as well as with other national and regional coordination mechanisms to address information gaps and implement assessments. More recently, as the context continues to shift, REACH has been supporting development actors to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and efficacy of humanitarian and development interventions, and encourage an equitable and needs-based transition to stabilisation and development initiatives. Overall, REACH Iraq has led country-wide multi-sectoral assessments, informed cash programming across Iraq through monthly Market Monitoring exercises, extended technical support to CCCM and WASH partners, encouraged evidence-based approaches to durable solutions, and conducted thematic assessments and rapid needs assessments in response to contextual changes. More information can be found here.

FUNCTIONS

Under the line management of the REACH Country Coordinator in Iraq and of IMPACT’s HQ in Geneva, the REACH Research Manager (RM) will be responsible for managing one of the three REACH Technical Units. The RM will manage the implementation of assessments identifying the most vulnerable populations in Iraq, liaise with external clusters and partners about information gaps for the most vulnerable populations and identify opportunities to meet information needs. Current research cycles include camp assessments in coordination with the CCCM cluster, the implementation of a country-wide Multi-Cluster Needs Assessment to support the HNO/HRP, and needs assessments in Areas of Return. Other activities will be developed during the RM’s tenure.

The RM position is based in Erbil, Iraq, with travel required to other bases across Iraq, including Baghdad. This is a senior position within the organisation, which necessitates a high level of external engagement, as well as the ability to influence and drive processes, whilst also managing the internal running of operations. The RM is expected to oversee teams, work-plans, donor relations, new proposals and projects, technical design of inputs and review and publication of assessment outputs.

The RM will be responsible for supporting development of REACH Iraq strategy. They will be expected to proactively identify gaps in knowledge by engaging with a wide range of sectoral experts and partner organisations, and use their creativity to design new approaches to identifying needs in Iraq.

Beyond the technical aspects, the RM will be responsible for line-managing 10-15 staff within the Unit, with room for expansion over the coming year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Management of research cycles:

• Ensure that all assessments are planned in line with relevant project and program objectives and within REACH research cycle guidelines;
• In close coordination with GIS and data management team, construct and review qualitative and quantitative data collection tools;
• Keep track of progress of assessments throughout the research cycle, and ensure that challenges are reported in writing and orally to the Country Coordinator and/or donors in a timely manner;
• Ensure relevant stakeholders and partners are engaged in assessment design and planning.

External engagement:

• Ensure that relevant partners are consulted and involved at all stages of research cycle;
• Support the Unit in the preparation for each assessment, and monitor/review data collection, data analysis, outputs, and product dissemination;
• Present research findings to third parties, to enhance use and impact;
• Ensure that external communications with partners and key stakeholders, including relevant UN agencies, local and national government, and NGOs has been conducted and documented as appropriate;
• Support the REACH Country Coordinator with strategic external engagement, including that related to fundraising and grants management.

Strategy development and implementation

• Actively contribute to the development of REACH strategy in Iraq;

• Isolate information gaps and design assessments, in line with humanitarian priorities;

• Build strategic partnerships with key humanitarian stakeholders and decision makers;

• Support the mission with advocacy and dissemination strategies;

• Support in the preparation and follow up of country level strategic workshops and plans;

• Engage with IMPACT HQ on global strategic priorities.

Drafting of research products:

• Maintain regular communication with IMPACT HQ on progress and deadlines for written products;
• Review all Unit products before they are sent to IMPACT HQ for validation;
• Ensure that all written products are validated by IMPACT HQ before external release.

Management of unit:

• Conduct regular meetings with senior international and national Unit staff to assess progress in all research cycles, and to review work plans;
• Bilateral management of senior international and national Unit staff, including appraisals and career progression;
• Arrange in-country inductions for new staff members, including training in basic technical competencies for assessment design, implementation and analysis;
• Support the Country Coordinator in the development and implementation of capacity training plans for REACH assessment team members;
• Be available to provide regular support and technical backstopping to the Unit;
• As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), ensure the Country Coordinator and other Research Managers are briefed on the progress of the Unit, and opportunities for cross-unit collaboration are identified.

Others:

• Support the Country Coordinator in drafting of relevant project narrative and financial reports;
• Maintain an oversight of budget availability and expenditure for assessment activities for which the Unit is responsible;
• Other tasks as requested by the Country Coordinator.

REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent academic qualifications, including a Master’s degree in relevant discipline;
• 3- 4 years of relevant, progressively senior, work experience in humanitarian settings;
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, with work experience in research, monitoring and evaluation, or other relevant sectors;
• At least 1 years’ experience managing teams in a humanitarian setting;
• Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting;
• Familiarity with the aid system, and understanding of donor and governmental requirements;
• Experience with stakeholder engagement;
• Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility;
• Ability to multitask with tight deadlines, on numerous research cycles;
• Fluency in English required, Arabic an asset;
• Ability to operate Microsoft Word and Excel;
• Skills in R or other statistical analysis software an advantage.

CONDITIONS

• Salary defined by the IMPACT salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus;

• Additional monthly living allowance provided in country by IMPACT’s partner ACTED;

• Food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment);

• Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance;

  Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package