We are currently looking for a Research Specialist to join the Global Humanitarian Planning and Prioritization Unit in HQ.

Title:                                   Research Specialist (RS)

Location:                             Geneva with potential for travel (up to 20% field deployment)

Contract duration:       6 months, with a possibility of extension dependent on funding

Start date:                    February 2025

POSITION PROFILE

With the financial support from global donors – including SIDA, GAC and USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) – and co-funding from other country-based donors, IMPACT has in the past years developed important workstreams supporting the objective of strengthening needs-based assistance, including but not limited to multisector needs assessments (MSNA), humanitarian situation monitoring (HSM), public health and other sectoral assessments. Gradually, through internal strategic development and through supporting existing global prioritization systems, the necessity to work on clarifying conceptual definitions and standardizing measurements with the view of sharing clear key messages to decision-makers progressed within IMPACT and specifically the global programmes department into an actual willingness to define a clear normative framework of needs for the organisation. This workstream was initiated as part of a global grant supporting the humanitarian prioritization and planning unit to ensure this was piloted primarily through MSNAs, which is why this proposed position is attached to it for more programmatic and structural coherence.

Under the admin supervision of the Global Humanitarian Planning and Prioritization Unit (HPPU) manager and the programmatic supervision of the Global Programmes Coordinator for Needs-Based Assistance, the RS will be responsible for supporting the conceptual development of the needs framework; supporting the overall consultation and R&D processes, and for overseeing specific piloting and testing to be determined through the first conceptual outputs. The candidate should be comfortable representing IMPACT with key decision-makers and be able to coordinate and liaise with a range of senior external partners.

REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent academic qualifications, including Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. development, humanitarian studies, international relations, research methods, social sciences)
• At least 4 years of experience in the humanitarian sector and/or social sciences, including at least one year in field-based roles in fragile or development contexts
• Experience with engaging in in-depth conceptual secondary literature review and deriving key priorities for further R&D and positioning based on it
• Experience in designing and implementing primary research, in particular large-scale quantitative surveys and/or humanitarian needs assessments preferable
• Experience engaging with data specialists and overseeing projects with a large research component
• Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting
• Strong interpersonal skills, including good external engagement and coordination skills
• Familiarity with the humanitarian system and global humanitarian policy frameworks
• Willingness to engage in short term field deployments, including to complex and challenging security environments
• Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility
• A self-starter with proven ability to work independently
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in French or a second relevant language an asset
• Prior experience leading the design or implementation of MSNAs an asset
• Ability to operate R, or a related statistical programming a strong asset

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• For this position, gross salary between 6’100 CHF and 6’330 CHF monthly (before income tax). NB – IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary grid depending on the grade of the position and the level of education and experience of staff. A contribution to medical insurance of 520 CHF per month is already included in the salary figure.
• Insurance covering professional and non-professional accidents throughout the period of employment with IMPACT
• Health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance in case of field visits/temporary deployments
• Enrolment in IMPACT Initiatives Research Foundational Learning Programme within the first 3 months from the start of contract.
• Applicants must hold a valid work permit for Switzerland or be EU/EFTA citizens
• Up to 40% of remote work on a weekly basis

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your application using the form below. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

In case you encounter challenges using the application form, please contact us via [email protected]