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). 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 assessments facilitated by REACH teams; (b) situation analysis using satellite imagery; and (c) provision of databases and (web) mapping facilities and related expertise.
IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization manages several initiatives, including the REACH initiative. The IMPACT team is composed of specialists in data collection, management and analysis and GIS. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO headquartered in Paris and present in around thirty countries. The two organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, allowing IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support in its areas of intervention.
We are currently looking for an Associate Research Manager to support our team in Mali.
Department : RRM & post-RRM
Title: Associate Research Manager
Contract duration : 1 year
Work location : Bamako, Mali
COUNTRY PROFILE
As 2023 draws to a close, the crisis in Mali is entering its eleventh year. Amid divisions within ECOWAS that are fueling regional tensions, growing access challenges in the central and northern regions of the country, and a continued increase in humanitarian needs, both in volume and severity, Mali’s future remains deeply uncertain. With 42.1% of the population living below the national poverty line in 2020, 68.3% of the population classified as multidimensionally poor in 2021, a stagnant Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.428 (the sixth lowest in the world in 2022), and persistent violence emanating from the central and northern regions that is fueling internal displacement and exacerbating humanitarian suffering, Mali remains in dire need of a thorough, comprehensive, and targeted humanitarian response.
Yet despite increasing humanitarian needs, funding is consistently lacking, with coverage of the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) reaching only 21.2% as of 15 August. This trend of recent years continues, where, relative to its People in Need (PiN), Mali receives the lowest amount of formal humanitarian and development funding of any country in Africa [Funding Reported to the Financial Tracking Service (FTS) / PiN = $31; global average: $80].
In this context, IMPACT, through its REACH Initiative, is expanding its research engagement in Mali, supporting the humanitarian response with high-quality data, timely assessments and actionable analyses, in order to facilitate data-driven decision-making in an environment where humanitarian needs abound, while resources remain scarce, making prioritization essential.
FUNCTIONS
Under the direction of the IMPACT Country Coordinator in Mali, the Associate Research Officer (ARM) will be in charge of managing the “Emergency” research unit, which brings together the management of activities related to the support provided to the emergency response mechanisms in Mali, namely the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) and post-RRM. The Unit includes in particular post-RRM territorial assessments, thematic rapid assessments in humanitarian hotspots, technical support in terms of information management for post-RRM coordination as well as close collaboration with RRM coordination. The objective of this unit is to ensure the relevance and strategic impact of all REACH Initiatives activities on humanitarian actors and emergency response in Mali. It also aims to ensure the role of REACH as technical support and information management support for post-RRM coordination, and the close link that will need to be maintained with RRM coordination.
The management of this unit will include external engagement with all emergency response structures in Mali, humanitarian coordination structures, our contractual partners, as well as with all cooperation partners; management of the research, evaluation, data and GIS cycle staff who will work on the project research designs, ToRs, tools, data cleaning, data analysis and production of information products; and management of a dedicated team in the field to carry out data collection. Similarly, the RM will be expected to actively engage in
As part of his/her mission, the Associate Research Officer (ARM) will be hosted by ACTED and will be under the direct responsibility and management of the ACTED Country Director and his/her delegates for all administrative, security, logistical and financial matters. He/she will therefore fully comply with ACTED rules and regulations on security, human resources, administration and logistics and, in coordination with ACTED, will ensure that IMPACT staff in his/her unit comply with them.
RESPONSIBILITIES
research planning and implementation
1. Context Analysis : With particular attention to the technical, programmatic and institutional orientation of his unit, and in coordination with the CR, the RM ensures that IMPACT has an up-to-date understanding of the following:
· The socio-economic situation of the country, the impact of a crisis and the aid/humanitarian situation;
· Aid/humanitarian planning, coordination and response mechanisms, as well as key aid/humanitarian stakeholders.
2. Develop and oversee the implementation of a unit strategy aligned with national and global priorities , and fully integrated into the country strategy; play a leading role in identifying strategic opportunities to strengthen IMPACT’s work in the country as part of its unit; in particular:
· Consolidate and strengthen ongoing programming and operations within the unit;
· Ensure that the unit’s activities are relevant and have a measurable impact on humanitarian aid/response;
· In coordination with the CR, identify funding opportunities to consolidate, strengthen and/or expand the unit’s programs;
3. Ensure that team members within the Unit are aware of the Unit strategy (as well as the national and global strategy) and their contribution and role within it.
research planning
· Ensure that all research is planned in accordance with relevant project and programme objectives and unit or country strategy ;
· Ensure that the ToRs are understood and used by evaluation staff and stakeholders, and updated as necessary;
· Monitor progress and delays of all assigned evaluations throughout research cycles . Ensure that delays or challenges identified for specific evaluations are reported to the CR and HQ Research Department in a timely manner;
· Ensure that relevant stakeholders and partners are involved in the design and planning of the evaluation.
research implementation
· Monitor data collection , ensuring its correct implementation in accordance with the agreed terms of reference;
· Ensure that logistical, financial, administrative, security and human resources processes directly related to the work of the unit and the ongoing evaluation have been properly implemented and coordinated with the relevant ACTED services;
· Ensure that all collected data is stored, reviewed and cleaned in accordance with IMPACT data management guidelines and terms of reference;
· Supervise the analysis of data collected in accordance with the terms of reference;
· Review products before they are sent to CR or IMPACT headquarters for validation;
project cycle management
1. Project and grant management:
· Management of all project and grant cycles within his unit (in coordination with the CR);
· Monitor achievement of results , cash burn rates and ensure timely completion of projects by reviewing BFUs, project information sheets and project reports;
· Ensure that contractual obligations are met in terms of deliverables and narrative and financial reporting , in close coordination with the CR, and (where applicable) with ACTED PD and Finance departments;
· Ensure that contractual monitoring and evaluation indicators are identified and monitored in a timely manner ;
2. Financial management
· Anticipate financial risks and funding gaps ;
· Monitor project budgets within units to avoid under- and over-spending, in liaison with the CR and (where applicable) the IMPACT and ACTED finance departments;
team management and leadership
1. Leadership
· Provide leadership within his/her unit as well as within the country management team;
· Transmit the values and vision of IMPACT, as well as their implementation within its unit.
2. Personnel management
· Ensure that staff in their unit understand and are able to assume their roles and responsibilities ;
· Promote team spirit, productivity and staff well-being ;
· Coach and support the unit team to strengthen its capabilities and improve its effectiveness and performance ;
· Ensure regular updates with the CR on staff potential, career management, training opportunities, contractual issues, difficulties encountered or expressed by staff in the field;
3. HR Administration and Management
· Develop and update the country unit organizational chart and staff recruitment plan , in line with the needs of the unit strategy and existing budgetary and programmatic requirements;
· Ensure regular performance evaluation and career management of all unit staff;
influence – external engagement
Support for post-RRM Coordination
· Ensure that the role of technical support and information management support for post-RRM coordination is duly carried out, in collaboration with the lead and co-lead of the structure, as well as all actors active in post-RRM in Mali.
· Ensure a link with other humanitarian coordination structures and mechanisms .
· Ensure dynamic collaboration with the RRM coordination and its main stakeholders, particularly with regard to information management
External engagement related to research, product dissemination and evaluation:
· In coordination with the CR, ensure that relevant partners are consulted and involved at all stages of the research cycle : evaluation preparation, data collection, data analysis, review of research products, dissemination of products and lessons learned; ensure that partner engagement is documented;
· Ensure that external communications with partners and key stakeholders, including relevant UN agencies, local and national government, and NGOs have been conducted and documented as appropriate for each research cycle;
· Under the direction of the CR, engage in the dissemination of research products , including through articles, IMPACT social media content, targeted emails, presentations, meetings, etc., in accordance with IMPACT’s dissemination and external communication guidelines and the research ToR;
External strategic engagement:
· External strategic engagement and dissemination of results with key stakeholders, as well as coordination of external engagement by all unit staff ;
· Communication and consultation with the CR and other members of the Senior Management Team (SMT), including sharing relevant information and ensuring effective and productive links with the SMT;
Project development:
· Support the IMPACT National Coordinator in external engagement in relation to the IMPACT strategy or (upon request and with the focal point) in fundraising and grant management;
· Develop proposals, concept notes and budget in close coordination with the IMPACT CR , in line with unit and country strategies.
REQUIRED CONDITIONS
· Academic background: Excellent academic qualifications, including a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (international relations, political science, social research, economics, development studies, or similar);
· Management experience: Previous experience in a management role in an INGO in the field. Proven experience in managing international and national teams in humanitarian contexts;
· Familiarity with the help system Familiarity with the help system and the research community;
· Communication and Report Writing Skills Excellent communication and effective report writing skills, including proven experience in contributing to high-level presentations/briefings;
· Years of professional experience At least 3 years of relevant professional experience or proven progression within IMPACT;
· Research skills : Excellent research and analytical skills are an asset. Experience in evaluations. Monitoring and evaluation, field research and assessments are an asset;
· Software skills : Proven knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Knowledge of R, SPSS and/or STATA or other statistical analysis software is an asset;
· Diverse task management skills Ability to multi-task under tight deadlines, across multiple research cycles in a complex environment;
· Level of independence A self-reliant person with a proven ability to work independently;
· Intercultural work environment Ability to function in an intercultural environment requiring flexibility;
· Experience in the geographic region Previous experience in the West Africa/Sahel region is desirable;
· Language skills Fluency in French required, fluency in English is an asset.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
· For this position, the salary is between CHF 3,000 and CHF 3,240 per month (before income tax), etc. as well as a monthly living allowance of USD 300.
o NB – IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary scale based on the grade of the position and the education level of the staff. A location-dependent security and/or isolation adjustment is then applied to account for the fact that some staff members must work in difficult locations where living and working conditions are much more difficult than elsewhere.
· Accommodation and food in a guesthouse. Depending on the country situation, a contribution to a housing allowance of up to 75% of the country-specific benchmark may be considered instead. NB – IMPACT is hosted by ACTED in this country
· Membership in a Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approximately 9.975% of staff gross salary), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance
· This base is not a family duty station
· Airfare every 6 months and visa fees covered (in-country travel and business expenses are fully covered)
· R&R after 2-3 months (airfare up to $500 + $200 living allowance) if duty station allows
· Contribution to baggage transport: between 20 and 100 kg, depending on the duration of the contract (+ baggage and personal property insurance)
· Annual leave of 36 days per year. Public holidays of the country of assignment. Leave for family or compassionate reasons, if applicable.
· Pre-departure initiation – 3 days at IMPACT Initiatives headquarters in Geneva + one week of pre-departure training at ACTED headquarters in Paris, including a 4-day on-site security training;
· Enrollment in the IMPACT Initiatives Research Foundational Learning Programme within the first 3 months of contract start.
