Job Purpose

After more than 13 years of conflict, challenges in the region include protracted displacement, socio-economic deterioration, lack of access to basic services, and climatic and environmental shocks and stresses. Up-to-date, timely, accurate, and actionable information is needed to ensure that the humanitarian response adequately meets the needs of the most vulnerable people, begins addressing underlying causes of vulnerability, and is tailored to different realities across communities and over time.

Since 2014, REACH has been conducting assessments on the humanitarian situation in regional contexts and has grown significantly as an actor in the response, working closely with humanitarian coordination actors and partners to develop unique research to inform more effective humanitarian action.

As such, REACH is currently seeking qualified applicants with experience in research and/or data to serve as a Senior ResearchOfficer in the REACH Regional Office, located in Amman, Jordan.

With the support of in-country and HQ staff, the REACH Senior ResearchOfficer (SRO) will be responsible for supporting research on topics related to humanitarian needs, to inform local crisis recovery and resilience-building efforts. Ideally, the SRO will have experience working on resilience and early recovery work and area-based approaches.

The SRO will be responsible for leading on and/or supporting research design, training of field staff, coordination of data collection and cleaning, analysis of key findings, development of information products (factsheets, dashboards, etc.), and dissemination of information to key response actors and partners, including through splitting his/her time evenly between REACH and working directly with an Area-Based Coordination Mechanism.

More broadly, the SRO will support REACH’s goal of expanding REACH’s research capacity and expertise in these topics and contribute to the development of high-quality research outputs to directly inform humanitarian actors working in the region.

As a global leader in humanitarian research, REACH operates in dozens of countries worldwide, providing vital data to enhance aid efforts. This international scope not only enriches the professional journeys of REACH staff, but also provides successful candidates with the possibility of progressing to further opportunities within the organization across various global contexts. Additionally, through working directly with a coordination body, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to strengthen their familiarity and connections with other humanitarian actors.

Objectives

Objective 1: Research Design, Implementation, and Coordination

Under the supervision of the relevant SAO and the Area-Based Coordination Mechanism Co-Chair, the SRO will be responsible for designing or improving the methodologies and research tools of their research workstreams and projects. The SRO will then manage the planning, coordination, implementation, and follow-up of research activities in line with overall project objectives and deadlines.

This will include identifying key information gaps through engagement with external stakeholders; developing research objectives and questions and designing data collection tools (household surveys, key informant interviews, focus groups, etc.) including indicator development; training field staff on research tools and methodologies; and overseeing data collection and cleaning. The SRO will ensure regular reporting on research progress and participate in internal coordination meetings.

Objective 2: Analysis and Information Product Creation

With the support of mission- and HQ-level staff, the SRO will be responsible for conducting analysis of key research findings and incorporating then into effective information products such as factsheets, briefings, reports, dashboards, etc. The SRO will work to ensure the quality and accuracy of information products and to ensure that products are delivered to key stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.

Objective 3: External Engagement

In collaboration with the relevant ABA SAO and ABCM Co-Chair, the SRO will be responsible for engagement with the relevant response stakeholders to identify research priorities and facilitate the use of key findings in planning and programming. The SRO may also be requested to represent REACH in coordination meetings, donor presentations, or meetings with partner organisations as relevant.

Duties and Responsibilities

The SRO’s time will be split evenly between the REACH Resilience and Early Recovery Unit and the Area-Based Coordination Mechanism.

Key Research Activities

a. Research design and tool development

·      Definition of research objectives and questions to address key information gaps;

·      Identification of appropriate research methodologies, including sampling approach;

·      Development of questionnaires and data collection tools (household, key informant, FGD).

b. Monitor data collection and cleaning

·      Support the training of field data collection staff on research aims and tools;

·      Monitor field data collection in collaboration with REACH Field Managers and Research Manager and/or the ABCM Co-Chair;

·      Monitor the quality of data collected, undertake appropriate checks on data collected in the field and resolve discrepancies and quality issues.

c. Preparation and production of information products

·      Carry out data analysis in line with research questions and objectives, with support of REACH data teams where needed;

·      Produce factsheets and reports using InDesign, and work closely with REACH GIS Officers to produce mapping outputs.

d. Dissemination of findings and external engagement

·      Present key findings to relevant response actors and facilitate use of data for evidence-based planning and advocacy;

·      Coordinate with relevant actors and partner organisations to ensure research is aligned with priority information needs.

Internal Communication Processes

The SRO will work directly with the relevant ABA SAO in Amman and liaise with IMPACT HQ in Geneva to ensure the quality and effectiveness of products developed. She/he will ensure effective internal communication with mission and IMPACT HQ colleagues. The SRO will also work directly with the ABCM Co-Chair.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

The REACH SRO will maintain the strictest confidentiality of data and processes. She/he will actively take measures to prevent the unauthorised sharing of information and data.

* Proposed monthly salary: 1405 JOD's

Skills

QUALIFICATIONS

Requirements

• University undergraduate degree or 3+ years relevant experience;
• Experience conducting research or working with data (academic research experience included);
• Good understanding of research methods;
• Fluency in English;
• Excellent writing and communication skills;
• Ability to operate independently and in a team;
• Willingness and ability to work in a cross-cultural environment.

Desired

• Strong analytical skills, including ability to identify and key trends and situate findings in wider context;
• Experience working in/on humanitarian or development contexts, ideally in/on programmes or research related to resilience and early recovery;
• Experience with external engagement and/or partner coordination;

·      Technical skills in any of the following:

• Strong Excel skills;
• Previous experience with mobile data collection (ODK, ONA, KoBo);
• Experience with cleaning and analysing datasets;
• High level of proficiency with conducting analysis utilising R, SPSS, STATA, or similar software;
• Experience with PowerBI or other data visualization tools;
• Knowledge of the Adobe Suite, particularly InDesign.

Knowledge of the humanitarian context in the region