Research Manager, ERICC - Education Research in Conflict and Protracted Crisis at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The ERICC RPC spent the programme’s inception year (December 2021 – November 2022) conducting country scans in three Cohort 1 countries (Bangladesh, Jordan, Nigeria) to build research agendas based on in-country stakeholders’ priorities and needs. Now moving into the implementation period, the RPC is narrowing research agendas into specific studies based on identified themes, beginning to plan and activate country scans in three Cohort 2 countries (Lebanon, South Sudan, Syria), and putting in place the call-down mechanisms for technical support and small-scale research as part of Component 2.

Job Overview/Summary:

The IRC is seeking a Research Manager to support the Regional Research Director (RRD) for Nigeria and South Sudan in the coordination and management of ERICC research in Nigeria.  This includes liaising with in-country partners to develop study workplans and oversee data collection, support the RRD to ensure that study protocols are submitted to the appropriate IRB / ethical approvals and research permits as required, data cleaning, data analysis, ensuring partner reports and monitoring data are submitted on time, reviewed, and consolidated into country-level information, collaborating with the research managers in other ERICC focal countries, and ensuring Nigeria’s participation in all working group, monitoring, learning, reflection, and other processes.

This position is 21 months in duration, with the opportunity for extension, dependent on Consortium funding, and performance.

The position reports directly to the RRD for Nigeria

Major Responsibilities:

All of the following activities are to be undertaken under the supervision and in support of the RRD, who will set responsibility ownership and support expectations once this position is hired.

• As a core member of the ERICC Programme team, the Research Manager will

1. Support the implementation of the ERICC programme in Nigeria.
2. Carry out ERICC programme tasks under the direction of the Regional Research Director

• The Research Manager is expected to establish and maintain good working relationships with partners, IRC country staff, stakeholders and clients

Specific responsibilities

• Provide flexible and responsive support to the RRD to help manage a network of internal and external relationships with partners, to assist in meeting project targets through reporting, compilation of reports, and documentation,
• Provide coordination and substantive inputs to the development and implementation of partner scopes of work, detailed workplans, ethics submissions and approvals, ways of working, data management plans, and monitoring, reporting, and learning plans,
• Support the design and management of fieldwork operations in coordination with the RRD, with a particular focus on work planning, and deliverables,
• Coordinate country-level dissemination and uptake through communications and relationship building with external stakeholders, establishing and reinforcing professional contacts, and coordinating with partners on stakeholder engagement, information sharing and development of reports, briefs and other knowledge sharing pieces for government institutions, key organizations, and individuals,
• Manage and participate in all Nigeria Country Research team meetings scheduling, invites, and note-taking,
• Coordinate the planning and execution of external conferences, meetings, workshops, trainings, seminars and other events organized or co-organized by ERICC in Nigeria, including supporting the planning for the first ERICC Annual Conference in May 2022,
• Support the RRD in data and document analysis, drafting research outputs, and reporting on ERICC activities for internal and external audiences, and managing correspondence including letters, memos, and reports for publication,
• Support the monitoring of programme indicators as well as progress, review, consolidation, and drafting of country-level reporting to the Programme Management Team and Research Directorate,
• Support the RRD in coordinating collaboration between the Nigeria Country Research Team (IRC + partners) and the Programme Management Team, Research Directorate, and all RPC partners,
• Manage IRC and ERICC shared drives, including ERICC’s internal box drive for Nigeria, and the Nigeria folder of the ERICC google drive,
• Track the Nigeria Country Research Team’s timely completion of deliverables and reporting
• Support the operationalization of the ERICC Learning Strategy in Nigeria,
• Act as the focal point for all partner queries regarding roles, responsibilities, and expectations for ERICC, following up with the RRD and relevant teams to address questions in a timely manner,
• Carry out any other ERICC related activities at the direction of the RRD.
• Note: This job description reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Regional Research Director Nigeria and South Sudan
• Position directly supervises: N/A
• Indirect Reporting: ERICC Research Programme Coordinator
• Other Internal and/or external contacts: All ERCC RPC Partners, notably Common Heritage Foundation in Nigeria
• Internal: ERICC Programme Management Team (Programme Director, Research Programme Coordinator, Senior Contracts Finance Manager, Communications Officer, Deputy Director, Senior Education Facility Officer); Research Directorate (Research Director, Senior Researchers, Senior Policy Advisor)
• External: Humanitarian & Development Agencies in Nigeria, Ministry focal points, FCDO Education Adviser in Nigeria, INEE, British Academy

Qualifications

Education: 

• University (preferably Master’s) degree in education, humanitarian or development affairs, social sciences, or other related field to humanitarian research

Work Experience:

• 3-5 years of work experience in coordination and research on topics related to the education or humanitarian sector

Ability/Willingness to travel: 

• Up to 20%, to Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna, and Yobe, or other states as needed.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Advanced skills using various office programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Google Drive
• Deep attention to detail
• Knowledge of research ethics principles
• Strong organizational skills, the ability to be flexible and work well under pressure, dealing with competing priorities, in a fast-paced team environment
• Experience coordinating and working collaboratively with multiple partners on shared objectives
• Experience organizing and implementing data collection trainings and quality assurance processes for studies
• Ability to develop and communicate clear instructions and strategic plans to accomplish specific goals within set timelines and achieve programmes’ broader visions
• Demonstrable experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) and Humanitarian/Development Reporting preferred
• Basic research analysis skills including descriptive data analyses, data cleaning, and qualitative coding approaches
• Outstanding communication and coordination capabilities and capability to operate independently and as a team member. Excellent writing skills required.
• Ability to creatively and proactively problem-solve when coordination or delivery issues arise