Charge(e) d’evaluation senior HSM, for the Ivory Coast, based in Abidjan At IMPACT Initiatives

IMPACT AND REACH

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

IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation manages several initiatives, including the REACH initiative. The IMPACT team is made up of specialists in data collection, management and analysis and GIS. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO based in Paris and present in some thirty countries. The two organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, allowing IMPACT to benefit from the operational support of ACTED in its areas of intervention.

COUNTRY PROFILE

The continuing deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Mali and Burkina Faso has resulted in the displacement of several thousand people seeking asylum to Côte d’Ivoire since May 2021. The border regions of Tchologo and Bounkani are currently hosting most of these asylum seekers, estimated to number 35.406 across the country as of September 25, 2023. Displacement of asylum seekers from Burkina Faso to Côte d’Ivoire, who represent more than 98% of asylum seekers registered by the High Commission for Refugees ( HCR ), are part of a long tradition of circular migratory flows between the two countries and in particular of displacement of Burkinabè agricultural workers, Burkina Faso being economically dependent on its diaspora of migrant planters in Côte d’Ivoire.The strong historical, cultural and socio-economic links on both sides of the border, as well as the’accueil policy of the Ivorian government, explain the choice of the’Ivoire Coast for these Burkinabe nationals.

The increase in the number of’asile applicants is putting more pressure on basic socio-community services and on the natural resources of the northern border regions. These regions, and particularly their rural and peri-urban areas, are already among the most fragile in the country. In 2018, the Tchologo was among the regions of Cote d’Ivoire that concentrate the most people in situations of extreme poverty (14.1%) according to a study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This same study also highlights the difficulty of’access to’education in the regions of Tchologo and Bounkani among others, in particular because of a very limited educational services offer, including, as well as’a more restricted access to the services of’talign (e.g.birth certificate required for the’registration at the’school) in the most remote areas. The two regions are also poorly covered in health infrastructure and poorly equipped with sources of drinking’ water.

These vulnerabilities are added to the severe consequences of climate change in the country, and particularly in its northern part. The gradual loss of agricultural yields, aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic according to UNDP, as well as the pressure on water resources, expose the most vulnerable populations to an increasing risk of FOOD insecurity in areas where the prevalence of food insecurity is highest in the country. Extreme weather events, including flooding during the rainy season, contribute to the ISOLation of the most vulnerable populations, particularly in localities with almost no or very damaged infrastructure. This is for example the case of the village of Kadarvogo,located in the Kaouara sub-prefecture in the Tchologo region, which is one of the main entry points for asylum seekers from Burkina Faso. Access is difficult in times of heavy rain, due in particular to roads in very poor condition, difficulties exacerbated since the destruction of the bridge at the entrance to the locality. Finally, the tensions and conflicts opposing breeders to growers multiply with the influx of asylum seekers who are often nomadic and mostly can, moving with their cattle in these border regions, and particularly in the northeast of the country ( Bounkani ) according to the prefectural bodies of this region and the humanitarian and resilience actors intervening in the area.’access is difficult in times of heavy rain, due in particular to roads in very poor condition, difficulties exacerbated since the destruction of the bridge at the’ entrance of the locality. Finally, tensions and conflicts between farmers and herders are multiplying with the influx of often nomadic and mostly Peulh asylum seekers, moving with their livestock in these border regions, and especially in the north-east of the country (Bounkani) according to the prefectural bodies of this region and the humanitarian and resilience actors intervening in the area.’access is difficult in times of heavy rain, due in particular to roads in very poor condition, difficulties exacerbated since the destruction of the bridge at the’ entrance of the locality. Finally, tensions and conflicts between farmers and herders are multiplying with the influx of often nomadic and mostly Peulh asylum seekers, moving with their livestock in these border regions, and especially in the north-east of the country (Bounkani) according to the prefectural bodies of this region and the humanitarian and resilience actors intervening in the area.tensions and conflicts between farmers and herders are increasing with the influx of often nomadic and predominantly Peulh asylum seekers, moving with their livestock in these border regions, and especially in the north-east of the country (Bounkani) according to the prefectural bodies of this region and the humanitarian and resilience actors intervening in the area.tensions and conflicts between farmers and herders are increasing with the influx of often nomadic and predominantly Peulh asylum seekers, moving with their livestock in these border regions, and especially in the north-east of the country (Bounkani) according to the prefectural bodies of this region and the humanitarian and resilience actors intervening in the area.

We are currently looking for’un(e) charged(e) d’evaluation senior to support our team in Cote d’Ivoire.

Department :REACH

Title :Charged(e) d’evaluation senior

Contract duration :12 Months

Work place : Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

Start date : 12/2023

FUNCTIONS

Under the direction of the IMPACT coordinator for coastal countries, the/the senior evaluation officer(e) is responsible for the implementation of the IMPACT research cycles in Cote d’Ivoire, France, including the stages of preparation, data collection, analysis, drafting, dissemination and evaluation of the project. Throughout the research cycles, the/the evaluation officer(e) engages with the partners to promote their participation and maximize their impact. He/she also ensures an efficient and transparent use of the resources necessary for the implementation of the projects. This may include direct supervision of evaluation teams.

As part of its mission, the ( e ) evaluation officer will be hosted by ACTED, a global partner of IMPACT, and will be under the direct responsibility and management of the coordination of ACTED for coastal countries and its delegates for all administrative, security, logistics and finance matters. He / she will therefore fully comply with the rules and regulations of ACTED in matters of security, administration and human, logistical and financial resources.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The ( e ) evaluation officer is responsible for supervising the planning, implementation and monitoring of the research cycles to which he / she is assigned, in close coordination with the other members of the IMPACT mission team in coastal countries and with the external partners concerned. The evaluation officer will also work with data collection partners in Ghana, he / she should be able to ensure proper monitoring of the activities of these partners. Several trips to Ghana are therefore to be expected.

More specifically, the / responsible ( e ) for senior evaluation is responsible for the following tasks.

RESEARCH PLANNING

• Anticipate knowledge gaps before performing a research cycle ;
• Ensure that the necessary secondary data review and / or analysis has been carried out in order to prepare an assessment ;
• Ensure that all research cycles are planned in accordance with the country strategy, relevant research and project objectives and the IMPACT research cycle and other relevant guidelines ;
• Design research approaches and methodologies in accordance with IMPACT requirements and principles as well as the information needs of partners ;
• Compose and build, in close coordination with GIS and data teams, tools for collecting qualitative and quantitative data ;
• For each research cycle, prepare the reference terms and ensure their validation by the head office before the start of data collection ;
• Ensure that stakeholders and relevant partners are involved in research design and planning

IMPLEMENTATION OF RESEARCH

• In close collaboration with the ( s ) responsible ( s ) in the field, ensure that the required enumerators are identified and trained for the collection of primary data ;
• In close collaboration with the ( s ) responsible ( s ) in the field, monitor the data collection, ensuring that it is properly implemented in accordance with the agreed terms of reference ;
• In close collaboration with the ( s ) responsible ( s ) in the field, manage the logistics of the evaluation, including with partner organizations, by identifying the areas of evaluation, by facilitating the workshops of design, managing joint data collection processes and facilitating joint analysis workshops ;
• In close liaison with the field manager(s), ensure that regular updates of the data collection situation are produced and disseminated to line managers, relevant colleagues and external counterparts. Provide support and follow up on the challenges identified during the data collection process ;
• Ensure that the line manager and research department at IMPACT headquarters are notified of any problems that prevent the full implementation of the agreed methodology in the terms of reference approved. Ensure that all changes to the methodology are documented throughout implementation and that any changes are formally validated by IMPACT headquarters ;
• Track the progress and delays of all assigned evaluations throughout the entire research cycle. Ensure that delays or problems identified for specific assessments are reported in writing and orally in a timely manner ;
• In close liaison with the field manager(s), ensure that the logistical, financial, administrative, and administrative processes, security and human resources directly related to ongoing and future evaluations are appropriately planned, implemented and coordinated with the relevant ACTED departments ;
• Ensure that all collected data is stored in accordance with IMPACT data management guidelines and ToRs ;
• In close liaison with the field manager(s), ensure that data is reviewed and cleaned, and that all revisions are recorded ;
• In close liaison with colleagues responsible for data, provide primary and/or secondary data analysis in accordance with the ToR, and, by ensuring that significant techniques are used to analyse the data collected ; and ;
• Ensure that data and analysis are validated by IMPACT headquarters prior to the product drafting phase ;
• Ensure that the data and their analysis do not contain personal information and are validated by the IMPACT headquarters before being communicated to external parties.

REDACTION OF RESEARCH PRODUCTS

• Ensure accurate and timely results that combine the analysis of each research cycle into relevant products such as fact sheets, reports, briefs, presentations, etc. who comply with IMPACT guidelines and quality standards ;
• Ensure that products accurately reflect the information collected and that information is transmitted in a way that maximizes its impact based on intended use ;
• Liaise with relevant GIS colleagues to ensure effective spatial representation of research results on interactive maps or web portals, as appropriate ;
• Monitor the schedule for reports to be submitted to project partners and donors. Ensure that delays or difficulties identified for specific assessments are reported in writing and orally in a timely manner ;
• Maintain regular communication with the country’s management and IMPACT headquarters on the progress and deadlines of written products ;
• Ensure that all written products are validated by IMPACT headquarters before their external distribution.

EXTERNAL COMMITMENT

• The evaluation officer will also work with data collection partners in Ghana, he / she should be able to ensure proper monitoring of the activities of these partners.
• Ensure that relevant partners are consulted and involved at all stages of the research cycle: preparation of the evaluation, data collection, data analysis, etc, review of research outputs, dissemination of outputs and lessons learned ;
• After validation by the supervisor, represent IMPACT in the relevant meetings and working groups ;
• Follow up on issues identified by the partners or during meetings /working groups ;
• Promote the active use of data sets and research results by partners and the wider humanitarian community for decision-making ;
• After validation by the line manager, present the results of the research to the third parties concerned in order to improve their use and impact ;
• Ensure that the commitment of all partners and external relations is clearly documented and communicated to the line manager and colleagues concerned ;
• More generally, contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, in particular through the application of the mandate, ethics, etc, impact values and position in relation to other actors.

KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND LEARNING PROCESSES

• In coordination with the coordination of the country, support the conduct of monitoring and evaluation for each research cycle, as specified in the terms of reference of the research and in accordance with the guidelines of’IMPACT ;
• Generate and document solid lessons learned at the end of each research cycle ;
• Ensure that knowledge and learning processes are shared with other units and teams within the mission, as well as with headquarters; and ;
• If necessary, provide feedback to appropriate global organizational knowledge learning tools.

MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT CYCLE

For the projects concerned, ensure compliance with project cycle management requirements and guidelines at all phases ;

• Before the project starts, s’ ensure the organization of a kick-off meeting and the availability of key project management documents in order to plan the efficient use of assets and financial and human resources ;
• In close coordination with the coordination, finance and department « grants », monitor and regularly update the use of assets, financial and human resources, and, in full compliance with the IMPACT guidelines ; this includes maintaining monitoring of budget availability and expenditure for evaluation activities ;
• Ensure that project deliverables and requirements are monitored, met and implemented ;
• Ensure that any issues relating to the implementation of the project are reported to the line manager, finance colleagues and « grants », as well as headquarters ;
• Ensure that an end-of-project meeting is organised and documented for all the projects concerned ;
• Support the line manager, finance colleagues and « grants » in writing narrative and financial reports of the projects concerned ;
• Other tasks at the request of supervisors.

TEAM MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING

• Direct management of’a national’evaluation officer and’a field officer
• For staff under his responsibility, and in close consultation with the line manager, conducting evaluations, providing regular feedback and participating in career management ;
• Prepare and follow up work plans with each staff member who reports directly to them ;
• Organize regular meetings with relevant national and international evaluation staff to assess progress in relevant research cycles and review the workplan ;
• For all activities, ensure that all evaluation and field teams are fully informed of the objectives, of the expected results and that the overall strategy for implementation is clearly understood ;
• Ensure that project and field staff receive the necessary training and resources to perform their tasks in accordance with IMPACT and project requirements ;
• Be available to provide regular support and technical support ; regularly inform team members to receive feedback on the progress of an activity ;
• In coordination with the line manager, contribute to the induction of new staff, including training in basic technical skills for design, and, implementation and analysis of research ;
• Support to line managers and specialists in the development and implementation of capacity training plans for team members.

INTERNAL COORDINATION

• Actively participate in regular team meetings ;
• Ensure regular coordination and exchanges with the colleagues concerned ;
• Engage in the development and implementation of the IMPACT strategy (on the ground).

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION

The/the person in charge(e) of’assessment senior will ensure the strictest confidentiality of all data collected and related processes, including, ensuring full compliance with the data protection policy and the standard operating procedures of IMPACT. 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 its assignment to IMPACT.

CONDITIONS REQUIRED

• Academic Excellent academic qualifications, preferably including a master’s degree in the relevant discipline ;
• Skills in the field of research Demonstrated knowledge and experience of research methodologies. Excellent quantitative and qualitative data analysis capabilities
• Software skills Proven knowledge of Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Skills in R, SPSS and/or STATA or other statistical analysis software are an advantage; experience with InDesign is an asset.
• Years professional experience Between 2 and 3 years of relevant professional experience. Experience in the highly desirable humanitarian field ;
• Management skills of’team Highly desirable team management experience and skills ;
• Communication and reporting skills Excellent communication and writing skills for the writing of effective reports ;
• Ability to perform multiple tasks from front in tight deadlines, over many research cycles ;
• Independence level Demonstrated ability to work independently ;
• The intercultural working environment Ability to work in an intercultural environment requiring flexibility ;
• Experience in the geographical area Previous experience in the’Africa region of’West is desirable ;
• Language skills Mastery of French and’anglais required

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

• For this item, the salary is between 2,400 CHF and 2,520 CHF per month ( before income tax ), etc. as well as a monthly living allowance of $ 300.
  • NB – IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary grid according to the grade of the position and the level of education of the staff. A security adjustment and/or isolation depending on the place is then applied to take into account the fact that certain staff members have to work in difficult places where living and working conditions are much more difficult than elsewhere.
• Accommodation and food in a guest house.
• Membership of a Swiss private pension fund ( Swisslife – around 9.975% of the gross salary of staff ), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance
• Airline tickets every 6 months and visa fees covered (travel costs in the country and professional expenses are fully covered)
• Contribution to the transport of luggage: between 20 and 100 kg, depending on the duration of the contract (+ luggage 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.
• Initiation before departure – 3 days at IMPACT Initiatives headquarters in Geneva + one week of training before departure at ACTED headquarters in Paris, France, including 4-day in situ safety training; and ;
• Registration at Research Foundation Learning Programme impact Initiatives within the first 3 months after the start of the contract.
• IMPACT prioritizes the psychological safety of its staff and the health insurance provided covers, among other things, up to 1000 € per year of psychosocial counseling costs.