Research Manager Coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea (Research Manager), based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast At IMPACT Initiatives

IMPACT ET REACH

REACH was born in 2010 as a joint initiative of two international NGOs ( IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED ) and the United Nations Program for Operational Satellite Applications (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 assessment facilitated by REACH teams; b) situation analysis using satellite imagery; (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 made up of specialists in data collection, management and analysis and GIS. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO whose headquarters is based in Paris and is 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.

COUNTRY PROFILE

The expression “coastal countries” has become popular in the humanitarian community in opposition to the Sahel countries of the hinterland (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger). The southward expansion of violent extremism established in northern Mali since 2012 has led since 2019 to an spillover of the security and humanitarian crisis in the northern coastal countries, a crisis which has sharply accentuated during the year 2023 , with a clear increase in the number of asylum seekers from Burkina Faso, and an increase in the number of security incidents, particularly in Togo and Benin. The northern regions of coastal countries, already the most economically fragile of the different countries, are facing a deterioration in the security context exacerbated by climate change which reinforces extreme weather phenomena such as droughts and floods. The humanitarian coordination system is gradually being put in place and the actors present are strengthening their emergency mechanisms in order to respond to current problems.

IMPACT Coastal Countries is looking for a Research manager to strengthen the capacities of evaluation managers, as well as GIS and data in terms of research; and participate in the consolidation and development of the country strategy.

Title: Research Manager

Contract duration : 1 year

Work location : Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Frequent travel, particularly to Cotonou, Benin.

Start date : May 20, 2024

FUNCTIONS

Under the direction of the IMPACT country coordinator, the Research Manager is responsible for (non-exhaustive):

1. Team management, capacity building and country strategy: Ensure the research strategy of IMPACT projects and the hierarchical management of two Senior Evaluation Managers and a Senior Data Manager
   1. Develop skills, implement capacity building methods for all evaluation, GIS and data managers in research;
   2. Preparation of training materials;
   3. Identification of internal and external training potential for the team;
   4. Ensure the development and monitoring of the country strategy for the research team.
2. Research planning and implementation : Ensure the quality and smooth running of all IMPACT project cycles and identify opportunities for potential projects
   1. Analysis of the context and identification of existing gaps in information;
   2. Identification of opportunities for potential new projects (REACH, PANDA; AGORA);
   3. Ensure that research cycles are implemented according to REACH standards;
   4. Technical guidance on research methodologies choices and practices;
   5. Pre-validation of products and guarantee their quality.
3. Participate in the identification of logistical, HR and financial needs
   1. Frequent participation in SMT;
   2. Identification of HR, logistical and financial needs for the research team;
   3. Monitoring deliverables and the timeline of research colleagues.
4. External engagement and capacity building: Ensure regular engagement with humanitarian and donor coordination structures as well as capacity building
   1. Provide training to external partners (authorities, local NGOs, iNGOs, UN, etc.) in French and English (Ghana in particular)
   2. Participation and co-facilitation of coordination meetings when relevant
   3. Representation of IMPACT to external partners: local and international NGOs, United Nations, local authorities
   4. Presentations of IMPACT project results during feedback workshops

As part of his/her mission, the research manager will be hosted by Acted, IMPACT’s global partner, and will be under the direct responsibility and management of the national director of Acted and his delegates for all administrative matters. , security, logistics and finance. He/she will therefore fully comply with Acted’s rules and regulations regarding security, administration and human, logistical and financial resources.

REQUIRED CONDITIONS

• Academic background: Excellent academic qualifications, including a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (international relations, political science, social research, sociology, economics, development studies, or similar);
• Experience in HR management: Previous experience in a managerial role in an INGO in the field. Proven experience managing international and national teams in humanitarian contexts;
• Multi-country environment: Ability to work on multiple projects and multiple countries at the same time. Rapid adaptation to new contexts;
• Communication and reporting skills Excellent communication and effective reporting skills, including proven experience 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. Proven experience and skills in qualitative and quantitative analyses.
• Software skills Proven knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel. of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Advanced skills in R, or other statistical analysis software are an advantage. Experience with InDesign, Tableau or Power Bi is a strong asset;
• Level of independence An autonomous individual with a proven ability to work independently and proactivity in prioritizing their activities;
• Intercultural work environment Ability to function in an intercultural environment requiring flexibility;
• Language skills Fluency in French and English required

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• For this position, the salary is between 2,880 CHF and 3,000 CHF per month (before income tax).
  • NB – IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary scale based on the grade of the position and the level of education of the staff. A location-dependent security and/or isolation adjustment is then applied to account for the fact that some staff must work in difficult locations where living and working conditions are much more difficult than elsewhere.
• Per diem of 300 USD per month
• Accommodation provided by Acted in a guest house with food allowance of around 300USD per month.
• Membership in a Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approximately 9.975% of gross staff salary), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance.
• Airfare every 6 months and visa fees covered (in-country travel costs and business expenses are fully covered)
• 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 induction – 3 days at IMPACT Initiatives headquarters in Geneva + one week of pre-departure training at Acted headquarters in Paris, including 4 days on-site security training;
• IMPACT prioritizes the psychological safety of its staff and the health insurance provided covers, among other things, up to €1000 per year in psychosocial counseling costs.

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