Field Research Officer

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organization’s values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity and accountability are attitudes and believes that shall guide our actions and relationships. 

1. Role and responsibilities

Established in late 2017, CAMEALEON is a NGO-led network managed by the Norwegian Refugee Council (grant manager), Oxfam and Solidarités International. CAMEALEON’s mandate is to conduct independent MEAL, research and analysis on the WFP MPC programme. The purpose is to provide quality assurance, bridge evidence gaps, strengthen accountability and transparency, and inform continuous improvement of the programme. CAMEALEON works in collaboration with Lebanese and international research partners as well as conducting smaller-scale analysis in-house. In the first phase of the CAMELAEON project (January 2018-March 2020), the research activities were structured around four project pillars: MPC outcomes monitoring, Value for Money, operational research and global learning. In the second phase of CAMELAEON (1 April 2020 – 31 March 2022), the activities are structured around three project pillars: MPC-related impact: conceptualizing a social safety nets approach, safe and accountable programming and learning, knowledge-sharing and advocacy. All studies conducted by CAMEALEON are designed to complement WFP’s own operational M&E activities.

The Field Research Officer will be responsible for field level data collection and beneficiary engagement, as well as community level engagement through coordination with local actors, (L)NGOs, UN agencies and sector working groups; and  supporting partner field research. The field team is the primary mechanism for community consultation in order to collect feedback and evidence to inform CAMEALEON’s analysis and to make recommendations to the Steering Committee. 

Generic responsibilities

1. Support the CAMEALEON activities according to strategy, proposals, budgets and plans
2. Involve and inform communities and community leaders about the activities
3. Coordinate with and provide support to relevant partners
4. Ensure adherence to NRC policies and donor requirements
5. Ensure that all related activities are implemented within  NRC’s Protection mainstreaming guidelines and reports any breaches/concerns to the line manager and/or focal point for proper action
6. Ensure that all protection related detected cases are referred to the concerned referral focal point and to the related Protection Coordinator

Specific responsibilities

• Assist the Field Research Coordinator with administrative and logistics requirements of the CAMEALEON team;
• Participate in the planning and implementation of research activities.
• Organize and conduct research monitoring visits with sampled beneficiaries;
• Conduct participatory monitoring activities through household interviews, FGDs, and community visits;
• Provide regular written feedback on field observations and monitoring findings to the Field Research Coordinator;
• Ensure accurate and verbatim data collection and recording entry, cleaning, translation/transcription, compilation and circulation of notes;
• Ensure monitoring schedule, data collection targets, and reporting deadlines are adhered to;
• Participate in and contribute to the development of the methodology, approach, data collection tools, and measures to protect subjects;
• Participate in the analysis of data.
• Review and provide feedback on reports produced by CAMEALEON
• Identify and refer individuals with special needs, protection concerns according to inter-agency procedures;
• Assist with all other duties as required by the CAMEALEON team.

Critical interfaces

• CAMEALEON Field Research Coordinator
• CAMEALEON Project Coordinator (Beirut)
• CAMEALEON Cash Specialist (Beirut)
• CAMEALEON M&E Specialist (Beirut)
• Protection Focal Points and Coordinator
• Relevant Partners, Authorities, Cash Actors, and other relevant external parties

2. Competencies

Competencies are important in order for the employee and the organisation to deliver desired results.

Professional competencies

• Bachelor degree in social sciences, humanities, quantitative/qualitative research methods, public health, or related field;
• 2-3 years of relevant work experience in data collection (in Arabic) as part of a research team – preferably in social work, community development, non-government, and/or outreach organizations;
• IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, and Access experience preferred);
• Languages: High level English proficiency (speaking, reading, writing); ability to fluently translate concepts into Arabic

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience

• Ability to facilitate, guide and follow discussions between approximately 8 people and write down key points and quotes;
• Basic knowledge of current approaches to M&E in relief and development programs (desirable);
• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative methods; this should include facilitating KIIs and FGDs, and basic data analysis (desirable)
• Experience using Digital Data collection applications (e.g., ODK, KoboCollect)
• Knowledge of cash based programming an advantage

Behavioural competencies

• Planning and delivering results
• Handling insecure environments
• Analysing
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Working with people