Research Manager at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Overview / Summary

• This program employee is a competent individual that will lead high-quality health and health related research studies in both community and hospital settings with focus on EmONC.
• Under the direct supervision of Senior Health Manager, the Research Manager is the focal point for IRC health program research studies across intervention locations. He/she will be responsible for leading a goal-driven stakeholder engagement, facilitation of research related calls/meetings, supervises data management processes, ensure appropriate documentations in research study, and ensure logistical and organizational support of research studies.
• The Research Manager ensures that the IRC’s health research studies are guided by the Nigeria Country Program SAP Implementation Plan. He/she reports to the Senior Health Manager and works closely with the HQ research team, other health managers in country program, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager and sectors.

Major Responsibilities
Research Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy.

Research Program Management:

• Research oversight: Provide technical and management leadership to a research study, ensuring national ethics approvals, that activities are implemented according to the workplan and approved research protocol, adherence to data protection standards, and that research questions are answered with necessary documentation done and report compiled.
• Stakeholder engagement: The research study will include strong stakeholder engagement with local government, healthcare providers, and community members. Ensure local stakeholders at the health facility, community and government levels are kept informed on progress and findings and are engaged in identifying recommendations for health system strengthening.
• Supervision of data collection: Provide technical supervision, in collaboration with the HQ research team, to the data collectors to ensure the accurate collection and compilation of both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Documentation and Research: Serve as the in-country focal point for the HQ research team for analysis and publication of results. Serve on the lead writing team for final reports and products, including a journal manuscript.
• Logistical Support and Organization: Work with IRC supply chain and procurement staff as well as local stakeholders to plan, organize and facilitate site visits, workshops, and trainings.
• Where necessary, participate in emergency assessments, develop detail report and plan for appropriate action(s).
• Monitor quality performance indicators ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices, and donor guidelines.
• Seek out and nurture quality partnerships with community structures.
• As appropriate, foster inter-program linkages, exchange information, experiences and contribute actively to protection and disaster risk reduction mainstreaming in the health program studies.
• Collaborate with other relevant sectors especially Environmental Health, as well as Nutrition, Women Protection & Empowerment, and Child Protection to ensure good coverage of research processes.

Research Program Development:

• Contribute to design, planning, and drafting new research proposals.
• Contribute to donors’ reporting whenever necessary.
• In collaboration with Snr. Health Managers, develop expenditure plan, items forecast, review budget vs. actual expenditure for health research grants monthly and take necessary actions.
• Ensuring budgets are used appropriately and efficiently and spending is in line with the IRC financial procedures, spending plan and donor requirements.
• Ensure data collection, data compilation, timely preparation and submission of all internal reports including weekly and other associated monthly, quarterly, donor, HQ, and special reports.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Hire, supervise (research consultants, data collectors/enumerators), and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote supervision capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team members.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback/appraisals, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct reports and external stakeholders on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
• Promote a culture of learning whereby lessons-learned and good practices are documented and shared for institutional memory.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Coordination & Representation:

• Represent the program to local government representatives, partner agencies, etc. as required.
• This position is expected to coordinate a TAG under stakeholder engagement.
• In coordination with the Health Coordinator actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders with government actors, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
• Attend all relevant meetings in relation to the health program as may be required and feed in the IRC priorities during meetings.
• Facilitate field visits for internal and external stakeholders, when required.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to: Senior Health Manager
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: Health Coordinator and the HQ Research Team
• Position directly Supervises: Senior Health Officer, Health Officer, Research Consultant and Data Collector/Enumerator.

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program: SPC, Deputy Director Program, Finance Manager, Supply chain Manager,
• Field coordinator, DDFM
• Region/Global:

Key External Contacts:

• MOH, SPHCDA, HMB, Teaching Hospitals, and other INGOs (e.g., possible collaborative partners), Community leaders, health facility management team and CHIPS Agents.

Qualifications

• College/University qualification in the Social Sciences, Public Health or a related discipline and evidence of completion of NYSC (Discharge / Exemption Certificate)
• Three to five years progressive experience in community engagement, health systems strengthening, and research.
•  MNH study and thus knowledge / experience / interest in MNH is preferred.
• Experience conducting qualitative research preferred.
• The selected candidate will have strong stakeholder relationships, including strong relationship with various TWGs and QOC networks, and knowledge of government policies/strategies as related to MNH.
• Strong understanding of sexual and reproductive health issues; specific expertise within maternal and newborn health preferred  
• Demonstrable experience as a strong facilitator capable of creating a participatory environment
• Experience designing and facilitating trainings and capacity-building exercises.
• Flexible work attitude; effective planning and organizing skills.
• Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English.
• Good computer skills: facility with MS Word, Excel, and email/internet software.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Background in situation analysis, health assessments M&E and program implementation.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• Skills and experience of remote management and willingness to travel to hard-to-reach areas
• Flexible, diplomatic and have ability and willingness live and work under pressure of workloads.

Languages: 

• Fluent in written/spoken English and Hausa.

Computer / Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and internet/statistical software. 

Ability to Travel:

• 15% of time if applicable as this position will demand frequent travel/visit to all the health facilities/sites during baseline, data collection, and end-line.