Objectives

The Research Manager will be responsible for overseeing the development and strategy of the Camps and Displacement (C&D) Unit, under the supervision of the Deputy Country Coordinator. The candidate should be comfortable representing Acted/ REACH with donors and be able to coordinate and liaise with a range of senior external partners.

The role of the Research Manager is to drive the strategy and workstreams of the C&D Unit at a moment in Syria where in-camp and displaced populations face heightened vulnerabilities. This position requires a profile that is both analytical and strategic, as the Research Manager’s job on a daily basis can range from coordinating with external partners (whether data actor, humanitarian cluster, or donor) to analytical oversight of research products to logistics.

The position will be based in Amman, Jordan with travel to Northeast Syria (via Erbil, Iraq) and Gaziantep, Türkiye.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Research Manager responsibilities include:

Staff Management

·      Direct management of international and senior national team members, including recruitment, conduct of appraisals, as well as staff career management;

·      Development and implementation of capacity training plans for team members;

·      Day-to-day management of team members, including the development of work plans and performance indicators.

Project/ Research Cycle Management

·      Ensure all C&D assessments and analysis are planned and implemented in a structured and coherent manner, in line with relevant project and strategic objectives, and with global REACH guidelines;

·      Oversee all C&D research cycles, including reviewing ToRs, methodology notes, tools, products and dissemination strategies.

·      Ensure the writing and production of timely, accurate and analytically rigorous reports, assessments, and factsheets;

·      Ensure relevant stakeholders and partners are engaged in assessment design and planning;

·      Monitor output achievement, project expenditure and ensure timely completion of the project.

·      Actively advocate for the improving of analysis within REACH products, and using common methodologies, tools and analysis frameworks across units where relevant

Grants Management

·      Under the guidance of the Deputy Country Coordinator and/or Country Representative – and in coordination with the Senior Project Development Officer – manage grants in the C&D, including initial discussions with donors, conceptualization of new projects, drafting proposals, regular reporting, and M&E;

·      In coordination with the Senior Operations Support Manager, support the financial management of all grants covering C&D projects, including oversight of budget and expenditure;

·      Ensure that contractual obligations are met in terms of programs deliverables.

External Engagement

·      In coordination with the Country Representative, DCC, and SMT, represent REACH with donors, partners, and the wider humanitarian aid community in Syria;

·      Provide support to the CCCM Cluster and Sites and Settlements Working Group to ensure relevant stakeholders have timely access to data.

Strategy Development and Implementation

·      Under the guidance of the Deputy Country Coordinator, develop the C&D’s strategy, engagement and involvement with various technical and coordination forums;

·      Work with key clusters and partner organizations and working groups to understand the various relevant information gaps within Syria and identify how the C&D Unit can fill these gaps;

·      As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), contribute to the development and implementation of the REACH Syria country strategy;

·      Develop and implement dissemination strategies to strengthen the impact of the C&D programmes;

·      Engagement with HQ on C&D research and/or coordination;

Provide contextual and technical support and guidance for assessment teams across all units in the mission relating to C&D, particularly on their application for local coordination mechanisms, area-based responses, and CCCM policy towards informal settlements

Skills

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (e.g., International Relations, Political Sciences, Migration studies, Economics, Development Studies, or similar).
• Fluent English and Arabic (written and spoken);
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English and Arabic;
• At least 3-5 years’ work experience, ideally in research, program management, INGO, and/or CCCM, and including familiarity with the humanitarian coordination system;
• Previous experience in a management role. Proven track record in successful management of both international and national teams in humanitarian contexts;
• Experience engaging with external stakeholders, including donors, UN, and NGOs ;
• Ability to work under pressure in a high-pace environment;
• Good organisational and prioritisation skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel and Publisher;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Strong analytical skills