MMC Research Specialist

Overall purpose of the role

The overall purpose of the role is to take a leading role in the Mixed Migration Centre – Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) team with the publication of relevant research to inform policy and programmatic response by expanding the evidence base on mixed migration processes in the region. Furthermore, the post holder plays a key role in engagement activities to establish MMC as a leading voice in migration research in the region, and identify and represent MMC at meetings with policy actors and key policy events.
Under the supervision of the Regional Head of MMC ESA in Nairobi, the successful candidate will be responsible for taking ownership of qualitative data analysis of emerging mixed migration trends; contributing to research projects and products; organizing research dissemination events; and delivering research analysis and grant reporting, among other responsibilities.

Key responsibilities

Research, Data and Publication Management

Conceive new research projects and develop research ideas, including with DRC and partners according to their programmatic and policy needs, and feed into the MMC ESA annual research agenda and workplan;
Carry out qualitative and quantitative data collection in the field when needed and contribute to the transcription and analysis of qualitative data.
Conduct qualitative and quantitative data analysis, using appropriate software in coordination with other members of the MMC team.
Engage actively in the region with key policy and programmatic partners to keep abreast on latest mixed migration trends and information needs;
When needed, take ownership of and coordinate workflows of MMC research projects, developing research methodology and tool creation processes, data collection and analysis, including coding and labelling qualitative data analysis;
Draft MMC briefing and research papers, quarterly trend reports, articles, policy briefs, information requests and other research outputs in line with MMC’s editorial standards and guidelines;
Develop a qualitative data management system.

Policy and Programming Engagement

Plan and convene research dissemination events and other activities to engage policy and programmatic audiences;
Scan for and participate in key policy events and meetings to strengthen MMC’s visibility and impact on policy actors;
Extend and strengthen the network of MMC’s relationships with policy actors;
Support MMC engagement with programming actors in the region.

Grants Management & Proposal Writing

Identify and track new grant/fundraising opportunities for MMC (independently or in coordination with DRC country offices and in the region);
Contribute to the development of grant proposal narratives and other grant documentation in grant application stages;
Take ownership of and coordinate the development of research ideas and concepts into project proposals, serving as a focal point for relevant partners;
Coordinate relevant grants and conduct reporting throughout research project cycles, taking leadership in team workflows.

Capacity Building & Training

As needed, supervise and train staff on MMC reporting of its research activities and administration on a quarterly or as-needed basis;
Train staff on MMC editorial guidelines through peer-review processes and serve as a resource for team members on migration theory;
Provide support to data collection training missions;
Provide training to DRC and MMC staff on research methods and related software applications (such as AtlastTI).

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Experience and technical competencies:

Master’s degree in development economics, migration or refugee studies, other social sciences
Required: At least five years’ experience working in migration research, whether an academic, policy or humanitarian programming context;
Required: Demonstrated experience in conducting and leading research projects;
Required: Demonstrated experience in working with and analyzing qualitative data;
Preferred: Demonstrated experience in working with and analyzing quantitative data is a plus
Required: Demonstrated experience in producing/publishing research papers, articles and reports, preferably on migration and/or humanitarian issues;
Demonstrated understanding of migration policy actor needs, and experience in policy engagement;
Demonstrated understanding of current mixed migration debates and dynamics in the region is an asset;
Demonstrated experience in grant management and donor engagement is an asset;
Previous experience working with international NGOs or humanitarian agencies.

Apply via :

candidate.hr-manager.net