Senior Research Officer - Beirut

Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC reaches over a million children annually with education and child protection programs in 25 countries around the world.

In response to the influx of Syrian refugees to Lebanon in mid-2012, IRC opened a country office and launched humanitarian assistance programming. IRC operates throughout Lebanon, with the main office in Beirut and field offices in Qobayat, Zahle, Tripoli, Tyre and Mount Lebanon. IRC’s programs assist Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese in host communities across multiple sectors: education, livelihoods, protection, women's protection and empowerment and child protection in close coordination with the Lebanese Government and broader Humanitarian Community. 

High-quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs provide the foundation for children’s future academic success, health, prosperity and wellbeing. A large body of scientific evidence emphasizes the need for increased investment in early childhood, particularly for children experiencing conflict, crisis and displacement; these children are extremely vulnerable to the long-lasting effects that prolonged stress has on the developing brain.

In December 2017, Sesame Workshop and the IRC were awarded the MacArthur Foundation’s inaugural 100&Change grant to make real progress toward solving a critical problem of our time. With the extraordinary investment of $100 million, our partnership will transform the language, early reading, math, and social emotional skills of a generation of children ages 0-8 affected by the Syrian war. Focusing on children in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria over the next five years, the inclusive plan combines the depth of in-person services, reaching 1.5 million children, with the breadth of mass media, reaching 9.4 million children. For more information, please visit: http://refugee.sesameinternational.org/. 

Job Overview/Summary:

The Senior Research Officer organizes and coordinates the research agenda and leads the implementation of the research framework for inclusive ECD in Lebanon, overseeing specific ECD initiatives while also tracking and assisting in baseline and end-line data collection in the selected regions. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in conducting research and managing research data collectors, preferably with expertise in inclusive humanitarian programming and ECD. 

Major Responsibilities: 

• Under the guidance of the Senior RMEAL Manager, review and finalize the research assessment for ECD in Lebanon, and draft specific frameworks, plans, and tracking tools.
• Draft research assessment and survey tools including data collection instruments (survey questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews) as per the research plan.
• Develop data analysis plans and data entry methods in coordination with the Senior RMEAL Manager.
• Facilitate the effective review and implementation of surveys and research. 
• Lead the recruitment and selection of Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) field Officers and data surveyors/enumerators for the research data collection.
• Participate in the design and oversee implementation of research strategies and methodologies for accurately collecting, recording, compiling, and analyzing data, to report progress towards project objectives.
• Ensure that high quality research data is recorded and stored effectively and is usefully retrievable and reportable on a regular and frequent basis.
• Work with the Senior RMEAL Manager, the ECD Senior Program Implementation Manager, the ECD Officer and Senior Officers, relevant partners, and New York University to provide timely updates and reports as needed.
• Oversee the implementation of selected surveys and research projects, and provide input into methodology, data collection and reports.
• Provide guidance and technical support as needed to the Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) field officers and enumerators, and any other relevant ECD staff member and partners on research and learning by making sure that deliverables are as per action plans and according to high quality standards.
• Ensure that all research using ECD resources is coordinated and overviewed by the Senior RMEAL Manager for proper methodology and robust analysis.
• Ensure that the results feed meaningfully into the ECD strategy and agenda.  
• Support the Senior RMEAL Manager through analyzing research findings and assessment data based on the analysis plan, through in-depth analysis, results and reports.
• Prepare and share presentations on findings and research whenever possible and assist in the drafting of the donors’ reports as needed.
• Conduct field data verification visits to the various relevant locations.
• Contribute to identify and synthesize good practices and lessons learned from the research.

Capacity Building and Mentoring:

• Technically guide the work of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) field officers and enumerators, in coordination with the Field Managers and Senior M&E Officer.
• Coach, train, and mentor MER field officers and enumerators on research and ethical data collection standards with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity. 
• Coordinate capacity building initiatives with the Senior M&E Officer to ensure harmonization of research and M&E trainings delivered to the MER field officers.

Other:

• Ensure all activities are child and gender sensitive and follow IRC Child Safeguarding Policy.
• Apply Do No Harm standards to ensure activities do not have detrimental effects on vulnerable communities.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to reinforce the acceptance of IRC in the community.
• Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops.
• Flexibility on other duties as assigned for program or professional development. 

Key Working Relationships: 

Position Reports to: Senior RMEAL Manager

Position directly supervises:  In coordination with the Field Managers, technically guides 3 Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) field Officers, and Enumerators (temporary staff).  

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

• Internal: The position closely works with the Senior M&E Officer and ECD Managers and Officer – Akkar, Tripoli, Mount Lebanon, and Bekaa – to communicate what information is already being collected. The position also liaises with the Senior Program Implementation Manager, the Senior Technical Quality Manager, and other regional and HQ based ECD staff.
• External:  The Senior Research Officer works closely with NYU researchers and relevant partners, and engages with other ECD research staff members in Jordan, Iraq, and Syria.

Job Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, Public Administration, International Relief and Development, Computer Science, Statistics, Social Sciences, or any relevant related field.
• At least 2 years of relevant working experience in the area of research and data collection and analysis.
• At least 1 year of professional experience at managerial level.
• Demonstrated experience in developing assessment tools (e.g. questionnaires, focus group discussions).
• Demonstrated experience and capacity in conducting field-level data collection and data entry using electronic tools.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of applied statistical methods.
• Demonstrated experience in drafting reports.
• Computer literate in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated experience working with ICT tools to collect and analyze data, such as ODK/ONA, Kobo Toolkit, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a team of research field staff and data collectors to ensure high quality data collection and analysis.
• Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility, ability to coordinate and build consensus.
• Personal qualities: works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well. 
• Fluency in English and Arabic, oral and written.

Preferred: 

• Master’s degree in applied research, Public Health, Public Administration, International Relief and Development, Computer Science, Statistics, or any relevant related field.
• Certification or specific training in Statistics, Information Management and/or Data Management.
• INGO experience.

Working Environment:   

The position is based in Beirut, and expected to travel to Mount Lebanon, Tripoli, Akkar, and the Bekaa.