Research Manager – Intersectoral Unit for the DRC, based in Goma At IMPACT Initiatives

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IMPACT INITIATIVES

IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization manages several initiatives, including REACH, AGORA, and PANDA. The IMPACT team comprises specialists in data collection, management, and analysis, as well as GIS. IMPACT is a sister organization 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.

We are currently seeking a research manager to oversee our Intersectoral Unit in the DRC.

Department : Intersectoral Unit

Title: Research Manager

Contract duration : 6 months (extension desired after funding confirmation)

Work location : Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (with the first 3 months in Kinshasa for visa procedures)

Contract start date : August 2026

COUNTRY PROFILE AND PROJECTS

Since 2016, IMPACT—currently present in Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kalemie, and Uvira—has been providing rapid and in-depth assessments, information management services, and mapping through its three initiatives: REACH, AGORA, and PANDA, to inform humanitarian planning and action in the DRC. All publicly available information products produced by the mission in the DRC can be accessed on the REACH Resource Center .

The intersectoral unit, which works on the Humanitarian Planning Cycle (HPC), has as its main objective to inform the strategic and programmatic prioritization of humanitarian aid in a complex context, and to support the harmonization and intersectoral capacity building of aid actors. Since 2020, the unit has implemented several activities: monitoring the humanitarian situation; profiling and mapping of sites; and training in Emergency Response Mechanism (ERM) assessments. In 2021, REACH, in collaboration with OCHA, implemented an annual Multisectoral Needs Assessment (MSNA) to inform the humanitarian planning cycle. REACH and OCHA also jointly established a Crisis Analysis and Response Quality Working Group (GTACQ) in 2023, whose objective is to inform key actors in the response at both operational and strategic levels.

JOB PROFILE

Under the supervision of the Deputy Country Coordinator, the research manager of the intersectoral unit will be responsible for the implementation of the unit’s programs, as well as the HR management of the unit members under their responsibility.

Furthermore, the research manager will participate in developing the research unit’s strategy and will therefore be a full member of the IMPACT DRC Senior Management Team (SMT). The ideal candidate will be eager to work in a dynamic organization, with the opportunity to develop skills in research design and implementation, as well as external coordination. Strategic and technical support will be provided by the IMPACT DRC senior management team and the IMPACT team at headquarters in Geneva.

FUNCTIONS

The research manager will be assigned the following tasks:

Management of research cycles for the intersectoral unit

  • Planning and preparation of assessments:
  • Ensure proper planning of all evaluations in relation to programmatic objectives and following IMPACT’s guidelines for research cycle development;
  • Ensure that a secondary data analysis is carried out in preparation for the assessments;
  • For each evaluation, design terms of reference (ToRs) validated by the headquarters research department before the start of data collection;
  • Ensure that the ToRs are understood and used by the evaluation teams and partners, and updated as needed; ensure the development of the ToRs in collaboration with the GIS and data teams, the development of qualitative or quantitative data collection tools; and ensure the involvement of the GIS and data teams in the evaluations;
  • Track the progress and timelines of assessments throughout the assessment planning process.
  • Ensure that all relevant partners (Clusters, INGOs, NGOs) are involved in the development of research cycles.
  • Develop, in conjunction with the AAP focal points of the IMPACT DRC team and headquarters, a community engagement approach to be integrated throughout the research cycles.
  • Develop a strategy for disseminating preliminary and final results to the various stakeholders and forums involved in the humanitarian response in the DRC.

Data collection and management

  • Ensure the implementation of training for data collection;
  • Supervise data collection exercises, ensuring proper implementation of the Terms of Reference, any necessary Standard Operating Procedures, and humanitarian principles including do no harm;
  • Ensure that senior management is alerted to any problems affecting the proper conduct of data collection and methodologies in line with the Terms of Reference; ensure that methodological adjustments are duly documented;
  • Ensure the proper implementation of logistics, finance, administrative, security and HR processes directly related to IMPACT and in collaboration with ACTED support departments;
  • Ensure that regular updates on data collection are circulated to relevant internal focal points and external stakeholders. Provide support and follow-up on challenges identified during data collection;
  • Ensure that all collected data is stored in accordance with IMPACT’s data management guidelines and the Terms of Reference (ToRs). Ensure proper data review and cleaning processes. Oversee the data analysis process in accordance with the ToRs, following relevant and methodologically sound techniques.

Writing publications

  • Maintain regular communication with IMPACT Headquarters on the progress and deadlines of publications;
  • To ensure that publications are produced appropriately and within the time initially allotted within the Terms of Reference, and that they comply with IMPACT’s guidelines and quality standards;
  • Review and revise publications and ensure that minimum research standards are followed;
  • Ensure that all publications produced are validated by internal procedures before dissemination.

Dissemination of publications and internal evaluation

  • Under the supervision of senior management, get involved in the dissemination of research publications, through email campaigns, presentations, meetings, etc. in connection with the Terms of Reference and the IMPACT dissemination and external communication guidelines;
  • Under the supervision of IMPACT Headquarters, ensure that research outputs are published on all relevant online platforms, as specified in the ToRs;
  • Under the supervision of senior management, ensure dissemination to the communities that provided the data, where possible;
  • Ensure that the lessons learned for each research cycle are collected and properly documented;
  • Supporting senior management in the implementation of internal monitoring & evaluation exercises as specified in the ToRs and in line with IMPACT guidelines.

HR management of the intersectoral unit team

  • Hold regular meetings with the teams of the intersectoral unit to check the progress made for each research cycle and to review the schedules;
  • Bilateral HR management of the four evaluation officers within the unit and indirect management of the field teams managed by the evaluation officers,
  • Leading capacity development initiatives and performance evaluations to contribute to the career development of these staff members;
  • In coordination with the senior management team, conduct inductions for new team members; including training to ensure technical skills in research cycle development, implementation and analysis;
  • Supporting the senior management team in the development and implementation of training plans for members of the intersectoral unit, and members of the IMPACT team in general, in the capital and in the field;
  • When relevant, participate with senior management in the recruitment process for international and national staff.

External Relations

  • In coordination with senior management, ensure that all relevant partners are consulted and included in all stages of the research cycles: cycle development, data collection, joint data analysis, output review if planned, output dissemination, and discussions on lessons learned; ensure that this partner involvement is documented;
  • In coordination with senior management, present the results of the research cycles to partners and external stakeholders, to ensure the use and impact of these activities;
  • Ensure positive, consistent and strategic communication with key partners and stakeholders, including national and international NGOs, civil society organizations, UN agencies, national agencies, local and national authorities, etc.; and that this communication is duly documented;
  • In coordination with senior management, represent IMPACT in strategic and/or technical external engagements;
  • Supporting senior management in external engagements related to project development efforts, and in the management of ongoing grants.
  • Ensure that all teams under his/her responsibility properly comply with administrative, logistical and financial processes
  • Ensure the security monitoring of the teams under his/her responsibility and the proper respect of the security procedures in force on the mission and in the specific areas of activity.
  • Ensure the sharing of information from the coordination and/or related to the context and ongoing activities to all teams under his/her responsibility.

Others

  • In support of senior management, actively contribute to the development and implementation of the REACH strategy in the DRC;
  • Supporting senior management in the production of interim and/or final narrative and/or financial reports on projects;
  • Maintain an overview of budgetary resources for the activities of the Intersectoral Unit; and participate in the monthly financial monitoring of the aforementioned projects;
  • Other tasks as requested and jointly discussed with line managers.

CONFIDENTIALITE

  • The research manager must maintain the highest level of confidentiality for data collected in the field and ensure adherence to global personal data protection processes. They will ensure the implementation of mechanisms to prevent the unauthorized sharing of information collected during their mission, in collaboration with the data management team at headquarters.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO COMMUNITIES AND BENEFICIARIES

  • The research manager, like all other IMPACT staff members, is responsible for ensuring that relationships with the communities in which IMPACT and its partners work are conducted respectfully and consultatively. Particular attention must be paid to ensuring that communities are properly consulted and informed about the objectives, activities, and methodologies of IMPACT projects.

PROFILE

  • Academic background: Excellent academic qualifications, including a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (international relations, political science, social research, sociology, economics, development studies, or similar)
  • HR management experience: Prior experience in a management role within an NGO in the field. Proven experience in managing international and national teams in humanitarian contexts;
  • Years of professional experience: At least 3 years of professional experience in the humanitarian or development sector in research, information management or monitoring and evaluation or proven progression within IMPACT;
  • Organizational and planning skills: Required coordination, organizational and planning skills, including the ability to manage a heavy workload and supervise teams in other regions;
  • Experience in external representation: Experience working on multi-stakeholder projects, with a high external engagement component;
  • Experience in crisis situations: Experience in managing assessments in crisis contexts and field experience in countries affected by crises;
  • Language skills : Perfect command of French, English a strong asset, knowledge of a local language in the DRC, particularly Swahili, will also be an asset;
  • Technical skills : Proficiency in statistical analysis tools such as R or STATA, or GIS and graphic design software such as InDesign will be a strong asset;
  • Time management skills: Ability to work on multiple tasks with short deadlines and to meet deadlines effectively, thanks to an excellent ability to multitask and prioritize;
  • Team spirit: Ability to take ownership of assigned tasks and demonstrate a dynamic team spirit;
  • Adaptability : Flexibility regarding the role and nature of the work, which can evolve according to the context;
  • Intercultural work environment : Ability to function in an intercultural environment requiring flexibility;
  • Attitude: Positive attitude and ability to contribute to a positive image and overall credibility of the organization.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

  • Travel 25-40% of the time, the position is based in Goma but the RM will be required to travel regularly to Bukavu or other parts of the country to monitor teams and interactions with the various forums.
  • 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.
  • 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 – Intersectoral Unit for the DRC, based in Goma (Link For External Applicants) | Impact