Global Research Supervisor – COVID-19

Organization

iMMAP is an international nongovernmental organisation that provides information management services to humanitarian and development organizations. Through information management, we help our partners target assistance to the world’s most vulnerable populations. Our core philosophy is that better data leads to better decisions and that better decisions lead to better outcomes. iMMAP’s critical support to information value chains helps to solve operational and strategic challenges of our partners in both emergency and development contexts by enabling evidence-based decision-making for better outcomes.

Background

In July 2020, iMMAP initiated the COVID-19 Situational Analysis project funded by the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) of USAID. The project provides a solution to the growing global need for information, assessment and analysis among humanitarian stakeholders.

A team of experienced personnel that includes project managers, information management officers, data analysts, thematic experts, and data visualization officers are working towards strengthening the information flow available to humanitarian actors to enable humanitarian organizations to better respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Colombia, DRC, Nigeria and Syria, iMMAP and its main partner, Data Friendly Space (DFS), are using DFS’ DEEP Platform to develop tailored data analysis processes to support the humanitarian community.

The project collects data generated by humanitarian actors and other stakeholders including academia, the private sector and government agencies. Using the deep platform, project staff extract, quality control, process, aggregate and data from these thousands of different data sources which are coded using the analytical framework of the project. DEEP generates repositories of pre-organized secondary data for each country, addressing the challenges in data and information comprehensiveness, consistency and value. This data is then synthesized into monthly situational analysis reports for each of the six countries which provide an update on socio-economic, security, COVID-19 statistics and restrictions and every humanitarian sector/ cluster. These reports are widely utilized and facilitate a better understanding of the humanitarian impact of COVID-19, and support partners in planning and targeting response operations amid the global crisis.

After several months of reviewing the data landscape and identify gaps in each country, the project has a solid understanding of what data is missing at the both the country level and internationally. Based on the results of a GAPS analysis and discussions, iMMAP is now working to produce 6 Lessons Learned reports form the project, and six Global Thematic Reports. Each report will focus on a specific topic which is determined to have been of global importance – including [Humanitarian Data Quality/ Vaccination/ Gender in Humanitarian settings/ Public Health (COVID-19) Data/ Health systems with a focus on Non-Communicable Disease and Sexual & Reproductive Health/ Economic and Livelihoods data/ Community Based organizations] A number of experts are being recruited to lead on the research and development of the 12 reports.

iMMAP is looking to recruit an experienced researcher/ research coordinator to manage and support the researchers. The Research Coordinator will report to the COVID-19 Situational Analysis Project Technical Advisor and program manager.

We are looking for a thematic/ technical expert with strong experience in research to lead the piece of research including defining the methodology, identifying data sources, conducting data gathering, handling and analysis and writing of the report. The expert will also be responsible for preparing, supporting and/or delivering presentations to stakeholders and panels.

Description of Duties

• Support the recruitment researchers through CV review, interviews and onboarding
• Manage a team of up to 12 researchers including working as a liaison with HR, finance and the organization
• Work with the technical advisor and researchers to finalization and fine-tune research question(s)
• Work with the technical advisor and researchers to define precise details of the methodological approach including data sources, data handling, data analysis
• Map duplication across research questions and develop strategies to share data and best practices between researchers
• Define work plans with agreed milestones and deliverables for each of the researchers
• Provide technical support to researchers as required
• Review progress of researchers against workplan and deliverables
• Review research outputs on a rolling basis, as agreed in the workplan and on an ad hoc basis to ensure high technical quality
• Work with project staff from each country and headquarters, as well as key stakeholders from lead agencies, clusters/ sectors and working groups to solicit feedback
• Present findings during workshops and presentations to stakeholders and partners

Requirements

• Researcher and Program manager with 8 – 10 years experience
• Experience in in public health-related area is preferred
• Experience in conducting humanitarian research and in LEDCs
• Strong experience in program management
• Experience of secondary data analysis and literature reviews and conducting key informant interviews
• Strong experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis and reporting
• Experience in managing teams
• Strong interpersonal and multicultural skills
• Deep understanding of humanitarian contexts in multiple settings, experience with any of the project countries is advantageous
• Understanding of humanitarian architecture and system
• Effective communication skills to work among clusters, agencies and the government
• Fluency in English is essential, intermediate knowledge and above of French and Spanish is desirable

Guiding Principles

Personnel is expected to conduct itself in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs, and iMMAP’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all Countries.

iMMAP has zero-tolerance for sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse, human trafficking, child abuse, and exploitation. Any violations of these principles and policies will be treated as serious misconduct.

iMMAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background.

DISCLAIMER: Note that due to the urgency of this position, application will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position may be filled before the recruitment closing date.