Research Manager (Emergency Response Unit) – based in Bamako, Mali At IMPACT Initiatives

IMPACT AND REACH

REACH was born in 2010 as a joint initiative of two international NGOs (IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED) and the United Nations Program for Operational Satellite Applications (UNOSAT). The objective of REACH is to promote and facilitate the development of information products that improve the decision-making and planning capacity of the humanitarian community in emergency, reconstruction and development contexts. REACH facilitates information management for aid actors through three complementary services: (a) needs and situation assessment facilitated by REACH teams; b) situation analysis using satellite imagery; (c) provision of databases and (web) mapping facilities and related expertise.

IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization 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 whose headquarters is based in Paris and is present in around thirty countries. The two organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, allowing IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support in its areas of intervention.

COUNTRY PROFILE

As the end of 2023 approaches, the crisis in Mali reaches its eleventh year. In a context marked by divisions within ECOWAS, which accentuate regional tensions, growing access challenges in the Central and Northern regions of the country, and a continued increase in humanitarian needs, both in terms of volume than gravity, the future of Mali remains deeply uncertain. With 42.1% of the population living below the national poverty line in 2020, 68.3% of the population classified as multi-dimensionally 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 worsens humanitarian suffering, Mali remains in pressing need of a thorough, comprehensive and targeted humanitarian response.

However, despite the increase in humanitarian needs, funding is systematically lacking, with coverage of the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) reaching only 21.2% as of August 15. This trend of recent years continues, where, relative to its People in Need (PiN), Mali receives the lowest amount of humanitarian and formal development funding of any country in Africa [Funding Reported to Monitoring Service Financial (FTS) / PiN = $31; global average: $80].

In this context, IMPACT, through its REACH Initiative, is expanding its research engagement in Mali, supporting the humanitarian response with high-quality data, timely assessments and actionable analyses, to facilitate evidence-based decision-making. accurate data in an environment where humanitarian needs abound, while resources remain scarce, making prioritization essential.

We are currently looking for a research manager to support our team in Mali.

Department : REACH

Title : Research manager

Contract duration : 12 months

Work location : Bamako, Mali

Start date : As soon as possible

FUNCTIONS

Under the direction of the IMPACT country coordinator in Mali, the Research Manager will be in charge

the management of the “Emergency” research unit, bringing together the management of activities linked to the support provided to emergency response mechanisms in Mali, namely the RRM and post-RRM. The Unit notably brings together post-RRM territorial assessments (rapid response mechanism), rapid thematic assessments in humanitarian hotspots, technical support in terms of information management for post-RRM coordination as well as collaboration closely with RRM coordination. This unit aims to ensure the relevance and strategic impact of all REACH Initiatives activities on emergency humanitarian actors and response in Mali. It is also intended to ensure the role of REACH as technical support and information management support for post-RRM coordination, and the close link that must be maintained with RRM coordination.

The management of this unit will include external engagement with all emergency response structures in Mali, humanitarian coordination structures, our contractual partners, as well as with all cooperation partners; management of research cycle assessment, data and GIS staff who will work on the project’s research designs, TOR, tools, data cleaning, data analysis and production of research products ‘information ; and management of a dedicated team in the field to carry out data collection.

As part of his/her mission, the Research Manager will be hosted by ACTED and will be under the responsibility and direct management of the ACTED Country Director and his delegates for all administrative, security, logistical and financial matters. . He/she will therefore fully comply with ACTED rules and regulations regarding security, human resources, administration and logistics and, in coordination with ACTED, will ensure that IMPACT personnel in his/her unit are conforms to it.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the research manager (RM) are as follows:

RESEARCH PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

1. Context Analysis : Paying particular attention to the technical, programmatic and institutional direction of his unit, and in coordination with the RC, the RM ensures that IMPACT has an up-to-date understanding of the following:
   • The socio-economic situation of the country, the impact of a crisis and the aid/humanitarian situation;
   • Aid/humanitarian planning, coordination and response mechanisms, as well as key aid/humanitarian stakeholders.
2. Develop and oversee the implementation of a unity strategy in alignment with national and global priorities , and fully integrated into the country strategy; play a leading role in identifying strategic opportunities to strengthen IMPACT’s work in the country as part of their unit; especially :
   • Consolidate and strengthen current programming and operations within the unit;
   • Ensure that the unit’s activities are relevant and have a measurable impact on humanitarian aid/response;
   • In coordination with the CR, identify funding opportunities to consolidate, strengthen and/or expand the unit’s programs;
3. Ensure that team members within the Unit are aware of the Unit strategy (as well as national and global strategy) and their contribution and role within it.

RESEARCH PLANNING

• Ensure that all research is planned in accordance with relevant project and program objectives and unit or country strategy ;
• Ensure that the ToR are understood and used by evaluation staff and stakeholders, and updated as necessary;
• Track progress and delays of all assigned reviews throughout research cycles . Ensure that delays or challenges identified for specific assessments are reported to the RC and HQ Research Department in a timely manner;
• Ensure that relevant stakeholders and partners are involved in the design and planning of the evaluation.

IMPLEMENTATION OF RESEARCH

• Monitor data collection , ensuring its correct implementation in accordance with the agreed terms of reference;
• Ensure that logistical, financial, administrative, security and human resources processes directly linked to the work of the unit and the ongoing evaluation have been correctly implemented and coordinated with the relevant ACTED services.
• Ensure that all collected data is stored, reviewed and cleaned in accordance with IMPACT data management guidelines and terms of reference;
• Supervise the analysis of data collected in accordance with the terms of reference;
• Review products before they are sent to CR or IMPACT HQ for validation

PROJECT CYCLE MANAGEMENT

1. Project and grant management:
   • Management of all project and grant cycles within his unit (in coordination with the CR);
   • Monitor results achievement , cash absorption rates and ensure timely completion of projects by reviewing BFUs, project information sheets and project reports;
   • Ensure that contractual obligations are respected in terms of deliverables and narrative and financial reports , in close coordination with the CR, and (if applicable) with the PD and financial departments of ACTED;
   • Ensure that contractual monitoring and evaluation indicators are identified and monitored in a timely manner ;
2. Financial management
   • Anticipate financial risks and financing gaps ;
   • Control project budgets within units to avoid under- and over-spending, in liaison with the CR and (if applicable) the finance departments of IMPACT and ACTED;

TEAM MANAGEMENT AND LEADING

1. Leadership
   • Provide leadership within your unit as well as within the country management team;
   • Transmit the values ​​and vision of IMPACT, as well as their application within your unit.
2. Staff management
   • Ensure that the personnel in their unit understand and are able to assume their roles and responsibilities ;
   • Promote team spirit, productivity and staff well-being ;
   • Supervise and support the unit team to strengthen its capacities and improve its efficiency and performance ;
   • Ensure regular updates with the CR on staff potential, career management, training opportunities, contractual issues, difficulties encountered or expressed by staff in the field;
3. HR administration and management
   • Develop and update the country unit’s organizational chart and staff recruitment plan , in accordance with the needs of the unit’s strategy and existing budgetary and programmatic requirements;
   • Ensure regular performance evaluation and career management of all unit staff

INFLUENCE EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

1. Post-RRM Coordination Support
   • Ensure that the role of technical support and information management support for post-RRM coordination is duly carried out, in collaboration with the lead and co-lead of the structure, as well as all actors active in the post -RRM in Mali.
   • Guarantee a link with other humanitarian coordination structures and mechanisms .
   • Ensure dynamic collaboration with RRM coordination and its main stakeholders, particularly with regard to information management
2. External engagement related to research, product dissemination 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 research, product dissemination and lessons learned; ensure that partner commitment is documented;
   • Ensure that 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 RC, engage in the dissemination of research products , including through articles, IMPACT social media content, targeted emails, presentations, meetings, etc., in accordance with IMPACT’s dissemination and external communication guidelines and research ToR;
3. External strategic engagement:
   • External strategic engagement and dissemination of results with key stakeholders, as well as coordination of external engagement by all unit staff ;
   • Communication and consultation with the RC and other members of the Senior Management Team (SMT), including sharing relevant information and ensuring effective and productive links with the SMT;
4. Project development:
   • Support the IMPACT National Coordinator in external engagement in relation to the IMPACT strategy or (upon request and with the focal point) in fundraising and grant management;
   • Develop proposals, concept notes and budget in close coordination with the IMPACT RC , in line with unit and country strategies.

REQUIRED CONDITIONS

• Academic background: Excellent academic qualifications, including a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (international relations, political science, social research, economics, development studies, or similar);
• Management Experience: Previous experience in a management role in an INGO in the field. Proven experience managing international and national teams in humanitarian contexts;
• Familiarity with the support system Familiarity with the support system and the research community;
• Communication and reporting skills Excellent communication and effective reporting skills, including proven experience contributing to high-level presentations/briefings;
• Years of professional experience At least 3 years of relevant professional experience or proven progression within IMPACT;
• Research Skills : Excellent research and analytical skills are an asset. Experience with evaluations. Monitoring and evaluation, field research and evaluations are an asset;
• Software skills : Proven knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Knowledge of R, SPSS and/or STATA or other statistical analysis software is an asset;
• Diverse task management skills Ability to perform multiple tasks under tight deadlines, over numerous research cycles in a complex environment;
• Level of independence A self-starter with a proven ability to work independently;
• Intercultural work environment Ability to function in an intercultural environment requiring flexibility;
• Experience in Geographic Region Previous experience in the West Africa/Sahel region is desirable;
• Language skills Fluency in French required, fluency in English is an asset.

TERMS

• For this position, the salary is between 3300 CHF and 3480 CHF per month (before income tax), etc. as well as a monthly subsistence allowance of USD 300.
• NB – IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary scale based on the grade of the position and the level of education of the staff. A location-dependent security and/or isolation adjustment is then applied to account for the fact that some staff must work in difficult locations where living and working conditions are much more difficult than elsewhere.
• Accommodation and food in a guest house.
• This base is not a family duty station.
• Membership in a Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approximately 9.975% of gross staff salary), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance.
• Airfare every 6 months and visa fees covered (in-country travel costs and business expenses are fully covered)
• R&R after 3 months (airfare up to $500 + $200 living allowance) if the duty station allows it.
• Contribution to baggage transport: between 20 and 100 kg, depending on the duration of the contract (+ baggage 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.
• Pre-departure induction – 3 days at IMPACT Initiatives headquarters in Geneva + one week of pre-departure training at ACTED headquarters in Paris, including 4 days on-site security training;
• IMPACT prioritizes the psychological safety of its staff and the health insurance provided covers, among other things, up to €1000 per year in psychosocial counseling costs