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
As the end of 2023 approaches, the crisis in Mali is reaching its eleventh year. In a context marked by divisions within ECOWAS, which accentuate regional tensions, increasing access challenges in the Central and Northern regions of the country, and with a continued increase in humanitarian needs, both in terms of 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 Human Development Index (HDI) stagnating at 0.428 (the sixth-lowest in the world in 2022), and persistent violence emanating from the Central and Northern regions that fuels internal displacement and exacerbates humanitarian suffering,mali remains in urgent need of’a comprehensive, comprehensive and targeted humanitarian response.
However, despite the increase in humanitarian needs, funding is systematically lacking, with coverage of the Humanitarian Response Plan 2023 (HRP) reaching only 21.2% as of August 15. This trend of the last years is maintained, where, compared to its Needed People (PiN), mali receives the lowest amount of humanitarian funding and formal development among all African countries [Financing Reported to Financial Monitoring Service (FTS) / PiN = 31 $ ; world average : 80 $].
In this context, IMPACT, through its REACH Initiative, is expanding its commitment to research in Mali, supporting the humanitarian response with high-quality data, timely assessments and actionable analyses to facilitate data-driven decision-making in an environment of abundant humanitarian needs and scarce resources, thus making prioritization indispensable.
We are currently looking for a’un(e) research manager to support our team in Mali.
Department :REACH
Title : Research manager
Contract duration :12 Months
Work place : Bamako, Mali
Start date : As soon as possible
FUNCTIONS
Under the direction of the country coordinator of’IMPACT in Mali, the/the Research Manager will be in charge
from the management of the’research unit « Humanitarian Planning », grouping the management of activities related to the planning and prioritization of the humanitarian response in Mali. The’Unit includes in particular the L’assessment at the national scale of multisectoral needs (MSNA), the monitoring of the’ evolution of humanitarian needs (HSM) and the realization of rapid thematic evaluations according to the needs in terms of’information of humanitarian partners. This unit aims to ensure the relevance and strategic impact of’ all REACH Initiatives activities on humanitarian actors and response in Mali.
The management of this unit will include external engagement with our contractual partners, as well as with all cooperation partners; the management of staff in charge of research cycles evaluation, and, data and GIS that will work on project research designs, ToRs, tools, data cleaning, data analysis and production of information products ; and the management of a dedicated team in the field to carry out the data collection.
As part of its mission, the/the Research Manager will be hosted(e) by ACTED and will be under the responsibility and direct management of the Country Director of ACTED and its delegates for all administrative, security, security and, logistics & financial. He/she will therefore fully comply with the rules and regulations of ACTED in matters of security, human resources, administration and logistics and, in coordination with ACTED, ensure that IMPACT personnel in their unit comply with this.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibilities of the/research manager (RM) are as follows :
RESEARCH PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
- Context analysis : Paying particular attention to the technical, programmatic and institutional orientation of its unit, and in coordination with the RC, and, the RM shall ensure that IMPACT has an updated understanding of the following :
- The socio-economic situation of the country, the impact of a crisis and the aid/humanitarian situation ;
- Mechanisms for the planning, coordination and response of aid/humanitarian aid, as well as the main stakeholders of aid/humanitarian aid.
- Develop and oversee the implementation of a unity strategy in alignment with national and global priorities, and fully integrated into the country’s strategy ; play a leading role in identifying strategic opportunities to strengthen IMPACT work in the country as part of its unit ; in particular :
- Consolidate and strengthen ongoing programming and operations within the unit ;
- Ensure that unit activities are relevant and have a measurable impact on humanitarian assistance/response ;
- In coordination with the RC, identify funding opportunities to consolidate, strengthen and/or expand the unit’s programs ;
- Ensure that team members within the Unit are aware of the Unit’s strategy ( as well as the national and global strategy ) and their contribution and their role within it.
RESEARCH PLANNING
- Make sure that all research is planned in accordance with the relevant objectives of projects and programs and the strategy of the unit or country ;
- Make sure that TdRs are understood and used by evaluation staff and stakeholders, and updated if necessary ;
- Track the progress and delays of all assigned evaluations throughout the entire research cycle. Ensure that delays or challenges identified for specific assessments are reported to the RC and headquarters research department in a timely manner ;
- Ensure that relevant stakeholders and partners are involved in the design and planning of the evaluation.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESEARCH
- Control the collection of data, ensuring that it is properly implemented in accordance with the agreed terms of reference ;
- Ensure that logistical, financial, administrative, and, security and human resources 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 the IMPACT data management guidelines and in terms of reference ;
- Oversee the analysis of data collected in accordance with the terms of reference ;
- Review products before they are sent to the CR or IMPACT headquarters for validation ;
MANAGEMENT OF PROJECT CYCLES
- Project and grant management :
- Management of all cycles of projects and grants within its unit (in coordination with the RC) ;
- Control the achievement of results, cash absorption rates and ensure timely completion of projects by reviewing BFUs, project fact sheets and project reports ;
- Ensure that contractual obligations are met in terms of deliverables and narrative and financial reporting, in close coordination with the RC, and (if applicable) with the PD and finance departments of ACTED ;
- Ensure that contractual indicators for monitoring and evaluation are identified and monitored in a timely manner ;
- Financial management
- Anticipate financial risks and funding gaps ;
- Controlling project budgets within units in order to avoid under-expenditure and over-expenditure, in conjunction with the RC and (if applicable) the IMPACT and ACTED finance departments ;
MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTION D’EQUIPE
- Leadership
- Provide leadership within its unit as well as within the country management team ;
- Transmit the values and vision of IMPACT, as well as their declension within its unit.
- Personnel management
- Ensure that the personnel of their unit understand and are able to carry out their roles and responsibilities ;
- Promote team spirit, productivity and staff well-being ;
- Supervise and support the unit team to build capacity and improve efficiency and performance ;
- Ensure regular updating with the CR on the potential of the personnel, career management, training opportunities, contractual questions, difficulties encountered or expressed by the personnel in the field ;
- HR administration and management
- Develop and update the organization chart of the country unit and the staff recruitment plan, in accordance with the needs of the unit strategy and the existing budgetary and programmatic requirements ;
- Ensure regular performance evaluation and career management for all unit staff ;
INFLUENCE – EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT
External commitment to research, dissemination of products and evaluation:
- In coordination with the RC, 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 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, in particular through articles, IMPACT social media content, targeted emails, presentations, meetings, etc., in accordance with the IMPACT dissemination and external communication guidelines and the Research ToRs ;External strategic engagement:
- External strategic engagement and dissemination of results with key stakeholders, and coordination of external engagement by all unit staff ;
- Communication and consultation with the RC and other members of the management team (MTS), including sharing relevant information and ensuring effective and productive links with the MTS; and ;Development of projects :
- Support the national IMPACT coordinator in external engagement in relation to the IMPACT strategy or (on request and with the focal point) in fundraising and grant management ;
- Develop proposals, concept notes and a budget in close coordination with the IMPACT RC, in accordance with the strategies of unity and country.
CONDITIONS REQUIRED
- University training : Excellent academic qualifications, including a Master in a relevant discipline (international relations, political science, social research, economics, development studies, or similar) ;
- Experience in management : Prior experience in a management role in an ONGI in the field. Proven experience in managing international and national teams in humanitarian contexts ;
- Familiarity with the help system Familiarity with the aid system and the research community ;
- Communication and reporting skills Excellent communication and effective reporting skills, including proven experience in contributing to high-level presentations/briefings; and ;
- Years professional experience At least 3 years of relevant professional experience or proven progression within IMPACT ;
- Research skills : Excellent research and analysis skills are an asset. Experience in assessments. Monitoring and evaluation, field research and evaluations are an asset ;
- Software skills : Proven knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite, notably Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Knowledge of R, SPSS and / or STATA or other statistical analysis software is an asset ;
- Skills in managing various tasks Ability to perform multiple tasks in tight time, over many research cycles in a complex environment ;
- Independence level An independent person with proven ability to work independently ;
- The intercultural working environment Ability to function in an intercultural environment requiring flexibility ;
- Experience in the geographical area Previous experience in the West Africa/Sahel region is desirable ;
- Language skills French proficiency required, English proficiency is an asset.
CONDITIONS
- For this position, the salary is between CHF 3,300 and CHF 3,480 per month (before income tax), etc., as well as a monthly living allowance of USD 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 location-dependent isolation is then applied to take into account the fact that some staff members have to work in difficult places where living and working conditions are much more difficult elsewhere.
- Accommodation in a guest house.
- This base is not a family duty station.
- Membership of a Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – about 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)
- R&R after 3 months (airfare up to 500$ + 200$ subsistence allowance) if the duty station allows.
- 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 ;
- 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.