Research and Data Analysis Coordinator

The Research and Data Analysis Coordinator is a new senior role within the Balkans Migration and Displacement Hub (BMDH) team which will work to ensure that Save the Children has the top-level analysis of issues affecting displaced children enabling it to respond to emerging trends appropriately through evidence-based advocacy and by designing programmes based on learning and participative processes.

The role holder is responsible for developing, coordinating, and managing a portfolio of high quality, innovative research initiatives that extend learning and inform policy and programming of Save the Children when it comes to children on the move.

Research and Data Analysis Coordinator will utilize their excellent understanding of current global migration and displacement trends and data to lead desk and field-based research, surveys and other activities oriented towards developing evidence-based positions. Role holder will be responsible for creating different qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and will conceptualise, theorise, and ground abstract ideas in operational realities by creating high-quality policy briefs and reports.

Research and Data Analysis Coordinator will also help maintain a strategic overview of top-line child related migration and displacement research issues, broker research collaborations within the organization, for example with the Migration and Displacement Initiative, and proactively partner with academia and the wider research community to deliver research products, and ensure knowledge management and sharing of best-practices.

Research and Data Analysis Coordinator will also be expected to work closely with the North West Balkans PDQ team, particularly the monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning activities pertaining to BMDH and programmes supporting children on the move in the Balkans.

In order to be successful you will bring/have:

• Extensive understanding of research methodologies, tools and instruments, both quantitative and qualitative and ability to set up research methodologies independently.
• A demonstrable ability to develop and lead desk and field-based research, surveys and other activities oriented towards developing evidence-based positions.
• Excellent understanding of current global, regional and local migration and displacement trends, policies and data resources and knowledge of child rights, child protection and child participation issues.
• Knowledge of application of analytical methods for measuring program and project performance.
• A flexible, independent and initiative-taking attitude.
• An advanced degree in political science/sociology/law or related social science subjects or an advanced degree in data science/statistics/psychology/economy with previous experience in relevant social research. Relevant and demonstrable research experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Postgraduate research on migration or child rights will be considered a distinct advantage.

Key areas of accountability

Migration research

• Keeps abreast of recent developments in global migration management, relevant policy changes in the Balkans, initiatives and migratory trends affecting the Balkans.
• Follows child rights topics and issues affecting children in migration on a global, regional and local level.
• Identifies changes in legal frameworks that affect access to asylum and rights for refugee and migrant children in the Balkans.
• Creates different qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Creates different research products including executive summaries and key recommendations and presents the findings at different internal and external fora.
• Analyses data and trends in migration, creates relevant policy briefs and reports.
• Identifies issues requiring in-depth analysis, sets up and conducts appropriate research.
• Brokers research collaborations within the organization, for example with the Migration and Displacement Initiative.
• Proactively partners with academia and the wider research community to deliver research products, and ensure knowledge management and sharing of best-practices.
• Designs different tools and utilises software and various approaches for effective data and knowledge management.
• Advises on child-sensitive and child-centred approaches to data collection.
• Uses available standards and processes to ensure appropriate ethical practice and data quality.
• Ensures that the views and voices of children can be represented with the methodologies chosen.
• Evaluates existing learning and evidence to inform research, monitoring and evaluation design.
• Champions the principles of human and child rights, ethics and gender equality in research, monitoring and evaluation.
• Recognises risks and factors that may influence research results.
• Coordinates and oversees the implementation of CSP learning agenda by conducting research, evaluations, including, baseline and end lines, and operational studies.
• Communicates top level learning / analysis reports to the SMT for management decisions on future programming and setting up key advocacy messages.

Documenting best practices

• Sets up programme documenting framework and follows up on programme implementation documenting activities.
• Creates best practice documents and guidelines based on documenting how SCI and its partners are supporting children in migration.
• Supports efforts to replicate best practices across different regions where Save the Children operates.
• Communicates information on best practices in a variety of formats for different audiences.
• Synthesises data and disseminates evidence for programme improvement, advocacy and campaign purposes.
• Supports program design processes by providing input on inclusive and participatory assessment, including consulting communities and children.
• Ensures that reflection or lessons learned events are organized regularly and at the end of the programs.

Capacity building

• Builds the capacity of others including partners in data collection and analysis.
• Identifies best practices in researching children on the move and creates relevant guides for researchers working on these topics.
• Provides guidance and training on maximising the potential for research uptake.
• Provides coaching and mentoring support to colleagues and partners, as required to help build skills, confidence and capability in research.
• Conducts training and awareness raising activities for operations and programme technical staff at field and country-office level regarding priorities, quality standards and related tools and guidelines.
• Oversees and guides partners in monitoring activities and document the progress against program/project indicators aligned with SCI global standards.

Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning

• Supports the program design and fundraising efforts, including log frame development, drafting relevant narrative sections, budgeting for monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Supports the country office MEAL team on developing BMDH level MEAL strategy and framework and contributes input to the development of country annual plans, and other strategy documents.
• Designs and applies project/programme monitoring framework, tools, and approach by creating relevant log frames, plans and Indicator Performance Tracking Tables.
• Designs and maintains safe Feedback and Reporting Mechanisms, database management and quality assurance.
• Supports proposal development processes by providing inputs to narrative and financial planning, including the development of appropriate (SMART) indicators, costing for MEAL activities and contributing to Performance Management Plans.
• Ensures that the country office is able to deliver on all internal MEAL requirements in a timely manner and with high quality information, including reporting on Save the Children global indicators and quarterly reports, total direct and indirect reach data.
• Identifies (or creates), applies and monitors Quality Benchmarks for project/programme as part of its guidelines and day-to-day practice.
• Provides technical supervision of the field-based, partner and MEAL staff through regular field visits and meetings.
• Ensures that MEAL is an integral part of program design and manages the MEAL budget, including any breakthrough accountability funds.
• Ensures that data from monitoring processes is fed into management decision-making on current and future programming.
• Conducts regular field monitoring visits and provides structured feedback and recommendations to field teams and relevant programme staff.
• Keeps regular liaison with the Regional Office MEAL team to ensure Country Office MEAL team has incorporated the new changes related to learning, evidence generation and project management.

Behaviours (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

Qualifications

Applicants with an advanced degree in political science/sociology/law or related social science subjects and also applicants with an advanced degree in data science/statistics/psychology/economy with previous experience in relevant social research. Relevant and demonstrable research experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Postgraduate research on migration or child rights will be considered a distinct advantage.

Experience and skills

• Excellent understanding of current global, regional and local migration and displacement trends, policies and data resources.
• Extensive understanding of research methodologies, tools and instruments, both quantitative and qualitative and ability to set up research methodologies independently.
• A demonstrable ability to develop and lead desk and field-based research, surveys and other activities oriented towards developing evidence-based positions.
• Ability to research, review and synthesize information and produce clear, well-argued policy briefs and reports.
• Knowledge of child rights, child protection and child participation issues.
• A capacity for critical thinking and commitment to producing original and challenging ideas to improve policy and practice.
• A proven ability to conceptualise, theorise, and ground abstract ideas in operational realities.
• Strong computer skills with knowledge of data analysis software (STATA, SPSS, SAS etc.) and/or advanced data analysis and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of application of analytical methods for measuring program and project performance.
• Experience with research involving children will be considered an advantage.
• Experience working in academic environment or published peer-reviewed articles in journals will be considered an advantage.
• Curiosity, and a desire to use and promote evidence, feedback and learning to deliver improved outcomes.
• A flexible and initiative-taking attitude with the ability to manage and prioritise an unpredictable workload.
• Good team work with related staff, partners and external associates.
• Proven strong analytical skills, good attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills and highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work collaboratively in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Fluency in written and spoken Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian and English. Knowledge of other languages will be considered and advantage.
• Willingness to travel and work away from office and ability and willingness to change work practices and hours in the event of emergency response.
• Ability to work under pressure, both independently as well as part of the team and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children, the organisational mandate and child focus including child safeguarding.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedure.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.