Location: Amman, Jordan (other locations may be considered)
Reporting to: Head of Research
Role type: Full time, permanent
Closing date: 19th March 2024
About ARK
ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity and hope for the future.
We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.
Learn more about our impact here: https://www.ark.international/impact
About the role
ARK Group has been working in Yemen since 2010, where we have an operational office, with a programme office in Amman supporting in-country programme/project delivery. Present and past ARK Group donors in Yemen include among others the US Government (Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)), the UK’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY), and the World Bank.
We are currently looking for a dynamic Yemen Research Manager to lead our dedicated research team. In this role, you will oversee and coordinate research activities, ensuring the highest quality standards. Your responsibilities will include designing research projects, conducting comprehensive primary and secondary data collection, analysing findings, and presenting research outcomes. Additionally, you will play a pivotal role in driving business development initiatives within our Yemen portfolio and establishing yourself as a renowned subject matter expert through publications and active participation in relevant forums.
What you’ll be doing
• Lead on the planning and design of all Yemen-related research activities, either as part of standalone research projects or research in support of programme design and implementation;
• Function as Project Manager for Yemen research projects;
• Line manage and oversee the work of the Yemen Research Specialist, the Yemen Senior Research Officer and the Yemen Research Officer and foster/enable their professional development;
• Oversee engagement with ARK Group’s data collection partners in Yemen;
• Contribute to, edit and review research outputs and deliverables produced by other members of the Yemen research team;
• Lead coordination between the Yemen research team and ARK Group’s Yemen programme leads and implementation teams, to ensure the research conducted is aligned with strategic and practical priorities of ARK Group’s Yemen programmes and can contribute to conflict sensitive programme design and implementation;
• Engage other technical leads, such as Head of Meal or Gender and Inclusion Lead, in the ideation, design, and analysis of research;
• Coordinate the preparation of project-related presentations and attend meetings and calls with research clients and/or other relevant stakeholders;
• Contribute to ARK’s Yemen business development activities, including bid writing, project ideation and donor engagement, in close coordination with Head of Research and business development colleagues;
• Contribute to the research department’s development plans and related activities;
• Build a profile as a subject matter expert through the development of papers and publications, as well as participation in relevant Yemen fora, conferences and events;
Requirements
Essential
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in conducting policy-oriented/applied research on Yemen and the MENA region.
- Passionate and knowledgeable about Yemen, with a strong focus on themes such as community resilience, social cohesion, conflict prevention and mitigation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, political and organised violence, refugees and IDPs, governance, among others.
- Fluent in English with full professional proficiency.
- Advanced knowledge of Arabic.
- Experience in utilising qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Demonstrates strong analytical skills, meticulous attention to detail, and accuracy.
- Experience in leading teams and managing work processes.
- Proficient in writing, editing, and producing reports and various other outputs for diverse target audiences.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Advanced computer literacy and skills.
- Commitment to the conduct of ethical research with human subjects.
Desirable
- Experience with and interest in producing infographics, data visualisation tools and dashboards;
- Masters degree in relevant field (Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Sociology, Social Work, Development, Conflict, Anthropology, MENA Studies, or a related discipline);
- Interest in and knowledge of data management, analysis and visualisation processes and relevant software.
Benefits
Why join ARK?
- Impactful Work: Your expertise will directly impact the lives of those in need.
- Global Reach: Collaborate with international experts and local stakeholders.
- Innovation: Engage in pioneering solutions for sustainable change.
- Career Growth: Expand your horizons with varied projects and challenges.
Our People
Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organisations, journalism and the private sector.
An ARK Person Is:
Smart: We think deeply about things. We’re proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.
Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognise out limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.
Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.
Collegiate: We know we are stronger together and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.
Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren’t afraid to share our opinions and we want to hear those of others too.
ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the centre of its development and stabilisation work and is this committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related personnel are expected to share this commitment and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.