Associate Research Manager (national) At Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development

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About Acted

For the past 30 years, Acted has been working at the forefront of humanitarian action to save lives. Acted supports more than 27 million people in 43 countries, meeting their needs in hard-to-reach areas, while pursuing a triple mandate as a humanitarian, environmental, and development actor.

About IMPACT Initiatives

IMPACT Initiatives (IMPACT) is a humanitarian NGO, based in Geneva, Switzerland, with the aim to improve the impact of humanitarian, stabilization and development action through data, partnerships and capacity building programs. The organization manages several initiatives, which includes i) the REACH Initiative aimed at facilitating the development of information products that enhance the humanitarian community’s decision making and planning capacity for emergency, reconstruction and development contexts, ii) the PANDA Initiative aimed at directly supporting key aid actors in improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and efficacy of their programs, and iii) the AGORA Initiative aimed at promoting localized and multi-sectoral aid action in support of the recovery and stabilization of crisis- affected communities.

With over 400 staff members, including assessment, data analysis, GIS experts and field professionals, IMPACT currently has projects in over 25 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. IMPACT is a sister organization of ACTED, a French NGO with headquarters in Paris. The two organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, enabling IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support in its fields of intervention.

CONTEXT

REACH Initiative seeking an Associate Research Manager to lead the Emergency and Monitoring Team in Ukraine. Based in Kyiv, the role focuses on integrating humanitarian situation monitoring with rapid, issue-based and frontline-focused assessments to support timely, operationally relevant decision-making in a dynamic conflict environment.

Working under the Humanitarian Needs Monitoring Unit (HNMU), the Associate Research Manager will oversee multiple concurrent research cycles – from design and data collection to analysis, dissemination and learning – while ensuring coherence between monitoring outputs and rapid analytical deep dives. The role includes direct line management of a multidisciplinary team and close oversight of partnerships with local organisations involved in data collection and contextual analysis.

The position involves regular engagement with humanitarian coordination structures, operational partners and donors to ensure analysis directly informs response planning, prioritisation, access strategies and contingency planning. Candidates should bring strong leadership and analytical skills, experience managing teams and research in complex humanitarian contexts, and the ability to translate evolving evidence into clear, actionable insights.

This is a unique opportunity to shape how humanitarian monitoring and rapid analysis are operationalised in one of the most challenging humanitarian contexts globally.

Apply now to join IMPACT and support evidence-based humanitarian action in Ukraine.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. STAFF MANAGEMENT

  • Provide clear strategic and technical direction to Emergency and Monitoring Team staff, in line with HNMU and country-level strategies;
  • Manage recruitment, onboarding, performance appraisals and professional development of team members;
  • Oversee day-to-day team operations, including work planning, prioritisation and workload management across monitoring and rapid assessment streams;
  • Foster a collaborative, supportive and high-performing team culture in a demanding operational environment.

2. MANAGEMENT OF RESEARCH CYCLES

Assessment Preparation and Planning

  • Ensure research activities align with priority information needs identified by coordination bodies and operational partners;
  • Guide the design of integrated research cycles combining regular monitoring outputs with rapid, issue-based or frontline assessments;
  • Review and validate assessment ToRs, methodologies and tools in coordination with HQ and technical specialists;
  • Ensure appropriate integration of qualitative methods, secondary data and geospatial analysis.

Data Collection

  • Oversee data collection modalities implemented through IMPACT staff and partner organisations, ensuring quality, ethical compliance and feasibility;
  • Monitor progress, risks and constraints during data collection and adapt approaches as required;
  • Coordinate with support teams (FLATS, Data, GIS) on logistics, HR, finance and administrative processes.

Product Development

  • Oversee the drafting of analytical outputs, ensuring clarity, accuracy and compliance with IMPACT quality standards;
  • Ensure outputs clearly articulate implications for operations, coordination and prioritisation;
  • Liaise with IMPACT HQ for validation of research products as required.

Dissemination and Learning

  • Lead dissemination of findings through briefings, presentations, coordination meetings and bilateral exchanges;
  • Ensure systematic documentation of lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement of MRAT methodologies and workflows.

3. EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS

  • Represent IMPACT/REACH in relevant coordination fora, technical working groups and bilateral meetings related to monitoring and rapid analysis;
  • Engage operational partners to ensure Emergency and Monitoring Team analysis responds to decision-making needs related to access, targeting, contingency planning and response design;
  • Manage and develop partnerships with local organisations, including contractual oversight, capacity support and quality assurance;
  • Promote partner involvement across the research cycle, from design to dissemination, to ensure contextual grounding and ownership.

4. CROSS-CUTTING FUNCTIONS

  • Ensure strong information management practices and compliance with IMPACT standards across MRAT activities;
  • Act as a liaison with other IMPACT units to ensure coherence, avoid duplication and promote analytical complementarity;
  • Contribute to proposal development, donor reporting and strategic planning related to monitoring and rapid analysis;
  • Support innovation and methodological adaptation in response to evolving operational and security conditions.

5. ACCOUNTABILITY TO COMMUNITIES AND BENEFICIARIES

  • Ensure research activities are conducted in a respectful, ethical and consultative manner;
  • Promote transparency with respondents and partners regarding objectives, methodologies and use of data.

DATA PROTECTION AND CONFIDENTIALITY

  • Maintain strict confidentiality of all data collected and related processes;
  • Actively prevent unauthorised sharing of information belonging to IMPACT, its partners or affected communities.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Experience: At least 3 years of relevant working experience in a humanitarian setting, such as assessments, monitoring and evaluation, research design and analysis.
  • Research skills: Excellent quantitative and qualitative research and data analysis experience required.
  • Familiarity with the aid system: Good understanding of the aid system and the research community. Prior experience with humanitarian coordination forums preferred.
  • Management experience: Proven experience in team management in complex operational environments.
  • Thematic experience: Prior experience with humanitarian monitoring, rapid or frontline assessments, or applied research in conflict-affected settings is an asset.
  • Communication and reporting skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with proven ability to draft concise analytical reports, briefs and presentations for diverse audiences.
  • Academic qualifications: Excellent academic qualifications, including a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, such as international studies, development, humanitarian response, data science or political science.
  • Software skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required, with familiarity with Kobo and experience in qualitative analysis tools or GIS considered an asset.
  • Security environment: Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in complex, high-risk and rapidly changing security environments under time pressure.
  • Experience in the geographical region: Previous professional experience in Ukraine or comparable high-intensity conflict contexts is strongly desirable.
  • Language skills: Fluency in English is required, with working knowledge of Ukrainian an asset.

How to apply

Please submit a CV in English to apply for this position:

Please make sure your CV clearly shows why you would be a good fit for this position with REACH. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. ACTED is an equal opportunity employer.

Attention! Per current legislation, individuals subject to military service duty must provide updated military registration documents while being employed.

“ACTED has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH). Please note that any candidate offered a job will sign the Code of Conduct, and related policies, as part of their work contract. Misconduct can lead to dismissal.”