Research Manager for Chad, based in N’Djamena At IMPACT Initiatives

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IMPACT ET REACH

REACH was established in 2010 as a joint initiative of two international NGOs ( IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED ) and the United Nations Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). REACH’s objective is to promote and facilitate the development of information products that enhance 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 assessments facilitated by REACH teams; (b) situation analysis using satellite imagery; and (c) provision of databases, mapping (web-based) 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 composed of specialists in data collection, management, and analysis, as well as GIS. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO headquartered in Paris and present in some 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.

IMPACT is seeking a Research Manager to lead our research unit in Chad.

Department: Research Unit

Title: Research Manager

Contract duration : 6 months

Work location : N’Djamena, with the possibility of field missions within the country

Start date : 01/06/2026

Please note that this link is for internal applications only. Any external application submitted via this link will be automatically rejected.

COUNTRY PROFILE

Chad is facing a protracted humanitarian crisis characterized by a combination of structural vulnerabilities, climate shocks, and unstable regional dynamics. Humanitarian needs continue to grow in a context of limited resources, highlighting the need for prioritization based on reliable and up-to-date data.

In this context, significant information gaps remain, particularly regarding multisectoral analysis, climate-related vulnerability dynamics, and accountability mechanisms. Furthermore, the proliferation of often uncoordinated data collection initiatives underscores the need to streamline assessment efforts to optimize the use of available resources and strengthen the coherence of the humanitarian response.

Present in Chad for the past seven months, IMPACT Initiatives is consolidating its strategic positioning. Within this framework, the mission aims to strengthen its role as a key player in producing independent, high-value-added analyses that inform humanitarian planning and address critical information gaps.

Programmatic priorities include, in particular, the implementation of the MSNA 2026, the development of climate and risk analyses through the SCALE initiative, the deployment of territorialized approaches with AGORA (in partnership with ACTED), as well as the strengthening of information management systems and accountability mechanisms.

FUNCTIONS

In their role, the Research Manager is responsible for leading, structuring, and coordinating IMPACT Initiatives’ entire research portfolio in Chad, ensuring its alignment with the country strategy and humanitarian priorities. They play a key role in the strategic direction of analytical activities, managing a team of (Senior) Assessment Officers and guaranteeing the quality, consistency, and relevance of research outputs.

The Research Manager ensures that implemented projects, including MSNA, climate and risk analyses (SCALE), territorialized approaches (AGORA) as well as information management and accountability initiatives, effectively contribute to filling critical information gaps and strengthening an evidence-based humanitarian response.

Working closely with the Country Representative, he/she actively contributes to IMPACT’s strategic positioning in Chad by strengthening relationships with key partners, supporting external representation efforts, and identifying programmatic development opportunities. In a context of limited resources and growing needs, he/she promotes coordinated and streamlined approaches to data collection and analysis to optimize resource use and maximize the impact of the resulting analyses.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision of research deliverables

  • Oversee the planning, implementation and timely delivery of IMPACT Initiatives research cycles and analytical products in Chad, including MSNA, SCALE (climate and risk) analyses, AGORA approaches, as well as information management and accountability projects.
  • Delegate the day-to-day technical management of research activities to (Senior) Assessment Officers, while retaining overall responsibility for quality assurance, analytical consistency and strategic alignment.
  • Ensure that research design, tools, methodologies, analyses and reporting comply with IMPACT’s global standards and meet the priority information needs of humanitarian partners.
  • Review and validate key deliverables at all stages of the research cycle, ensuring methodological rigor, analytical relevance and operational usability.
  • Ensure that products are developed in a timely manner, in clear, accessible and directly usable formats for humanitarian partners, donors and policymakers.

Supervision of the operational implementation of the research

  • Oversee the operational planning and implementation of research activities, in close coordination with the operations and support teams.
  • Delegate daily operational monitoring to appropriate team members, while maintaining overall visibility on schedules, risks, constraints, and mitigation measures.
  • Ensure that the preparation of field activities, logistics, procurement, travel and data collection arrangements are adequately planned to guarantee high-quality implementation.
  • Work closely with operations and support teams to ensure that activities are feasible, adequately resourced and compliant with organizational procedures and safety requirements.
  • Monitor the progress of implementation and ensure that operational constraints affecting research activities are identified quickly and addressed proactively.

Daily management of the team

  • Provide direct hierarchical management of the research team based in N’Djamena, composed of 3 (Senior) Assessment Officers, by fostering a collaborative, empowering and performance-oriented work environment.
  • Define clear strategic priorities for the team and monitor performance against work plans and deliverables.
  • To guide the work of (Senior) Assessment Officers in accordance with the country strategy and programmatic priorities.
  • Supporting staff skills development through regular coaching, constructive feedback and capacity-building initiatives.
  • Ensure effective internal coordination between research, data, GIS, operations and support functions.
  • Promote respect for IMPACT’s values, policies and standards in the team’s daily operations.

Liaison with partners and external stakeholders

  • Consolidate and develop strategic relationships with key stakeholders to ensure that IMPACT’s activities remain aligned with critical information gaps and decision-making needs.
  • Promote a strategic positioning of IMPACT based on its ability to produce high value-added analyses that contribute to filling information gaps in the humanitarian system.
  • Ensure regular engagement with partners throughout the research cycle, particularly on analytical priorities, methodological approaches, validation and dissemination of results.
  • Represent IMPACT in coordination meetings, technical forums and strategic discussions, in close coordination with the Country Representative.
  • To actively contribute to strengthening IMPACT’s credibility, visibility and positioning within the humanitarian ecosystem in Chad.

Contribution to the strategy and direction of the mission

  • Under the guidance of the Country Representative, contribute to the development, implementation and adjustment of the country strategy.
  • Translate strategic priorities into a coherent, relevant and operationally realistic research agenda.
  • Identify programmatic and analytical opportunities to strengthen IMPACT’s positioning, particularly in filling information gaps and promoting coordinated approaches to data collection.
  • Contribute to the continuous adaptation of the research portfolio in accordance with the evolving context, funding constraints, partner needs and humanitarian priorities.
  • To provide strategic analyses and recommendations to inform decision-making on the direction, scope and prioritization of activities.
  • Ensure that the research portfolio remains aligned with the overall objectives of the mission and contributes to a more effective, coordinated and evidence-based humanitarian response.
  • As part of their mission, the research manager will be hosted by Acted, IMPACT’s global partner, and will report directly to and be managed by Acted’s country director and their delegates for all administrative, security, logistical, and financial matters. They will therefore be fully compliant with Acted’s rules and regulations regarding security, administration, human resources, logistics, and finance.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (international relations, development, social sciences or equivalent)
  • Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in a humanitarian, development or similar context
  • Experience in external engagement with donors, partners and key stakeholders
  • Good knowledge of the humanitarian coordination system
  • Good understanding of evaluation processes (design, data collection, analysis)
  • Excellent analytical and research skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills (clear and structured reporting)
  • Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities under pressure
  • A flexible, solution-oriented profile capable of thriving in an intercultural environment.
  • Good understanding of the West and Central African context; regional experience preferred
  • Fluency in French required; English highly desirable; Arabic an asset
  • Excellent command of Microsoft Office
  • Analytical mind, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to maintain an overall strategic vision

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

  • For this position, the salary is between CHF 3,420 and CHF 3,480 per month (before income tax), etc., as well as a monthly living allowance of USD 300.
  • Note – IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary scale based on job grade and staff education level. A location-dependent security and/or isolation adjustment is then applied to account for the fact that some staff members must work in challenging environments where living and working conditions are significantly more difficult than elsewhere.
  • Accommodation and meals in a guesthouse. Note: IMPACT is hosted by ACTED in this country.
  • Membership in a Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approximately 9.975% of staff gross salary), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance.
  • Airfare every 6 months and visa fees covered (travel expenses within the country and business expenses are fully covered)
  • R&R after 3 months (airfare up to $500 + $200 living allowance) if the duty station permits.
  • Contribution to baggage transport: between 20 and 100 kg, depending on the duration of the contract (+ baggage and personal belongings 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 initiation – 3 days at IMPACT Initiatives headquarters in Geneva + one week of pre-departure training at ACTED headquarters in Paris, including 4 days of on-site security training;
  • Registration for the IMPACT Initiatives Research Foundational Learning Programme within the first 3 months following the start of the contract.
  • IMPACT prioritizes the psychological safety of its staff and the health insurance provided covers, among other things, up to €1000 per year of psychosocial counseling costs.

How to apply

Please apply directly on the website via the following link: Research Manager for Chad, based in N’Djamena (Link For External Applicants) | Impact