Research Liaison Officer Job in Kenya

International Rescue Committee: A global leader in humanitarian assistance, the International Rescue Committee works in more than 40 countries offering help and hope to refugees and others uprooted by disaster, conflict and oppression.

The IRC has been in Kenya since 1992 providing life-saving services such as health care to refugees and vulnerable local communities. Currently, the IRC works in two refugee camps, Dadaab and Kakuma, in northern Kenya. The IRC supports communities in Turkana and Garissa Counties as well as in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

Through its Peace Initiative Kenya (PIK) program it is also working in several counties throughout Kenya.

The IRC implements programs in the areas of comprehensive primary health care, nutrition, protection, peace building, HIV/AIDS prevention, response to gender
based violence, livelihoods and governance.

Applications are invited for the following position:

Research Liaison Officer

Sector: Women's Protection and Empowerment

Location: Kenya

Employee Type: Regular

Employee Category: Full Time

Job Purpose / Objective: The Research Liaison Officer (RLO) is the focal point for the “What Works” research project and will support other research and evaluation activities within the Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) sector in the IRC Kenya Program.

The What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls in Conflict and Humanitarian Crises (“What Works”) is a five year research project funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID).

The project aims to deliver a portfolio of research, capacity building and research uptake in a number of settings, including Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya.

IRC is leading a consortium of NGOs and research partners to deliver the research project in Kenya. The roles of the RLO will include coordinating research and evaluation activities as well administrative and logistical support for the “What Works” project.

The RLO will be charged with facilitating communication among the different stakeholders, and implementing partners, support reporting on project deliverables, and organize workshops to learn, share and discuss research findings and supporting external research consultants. S/he may also take the lead in conducting internal evaluations for the WPE sector.

The position will be based in Dadaab with travel as required. The position reports to the Field coordinator and technical reporting will be to WPE Coordinator.

Responsibilities:

Research

Support external researchers in carrying out research work within Dadaab refugee camps in conducting the “What Works” research project
Supervise research assistants carrying out data collection for What Works program
Ensure adherence in the field to general research design, sample selection, data management and analysis and overall management for research activities
Act as liaison between community and research teams while coordinating the respondents participation,
Support the overall coordination of research and evaluations conducted in the WPE sector
Take lead in carrying out internal evaluations and period assessments in monitoring program performance in WPE sector,
Support research assistants in data collection where called upon
Offer monitoring and evaluation support including analysis of the GBV IMS data for program learning

Coordination

Keep the IRC and other stakeholders appraised of “What Works” project progress on regular basis
Provide linkage and manage all information and contact requests between the Kenya country program, different research teams including the IRC What Works Project Team and GBV Screening Research Project Team, external research teams, and other local partners in Dadaab and Nairobi
Ensure mobilization, coordination and scheduling of research respondents,
Plan and organize work sessions (including Skype calls) among different partners involved in the research projects and support and coordinate preparatory arrangements of work sessions to ensure that the agendas, minutes, research briefings, and all necessary information is prepared and disseminated to participants.
Offer logistical support and administrative roles for research teams and link with implementing partners in ensuring adherence to research schedules,

Facilitation

Schedule appointments/meetings and follow up on agreed actions with identified stakeholders including, Kenyan research consortium members and research teams
Organize, facilitate,and maintain minutes of regularly scheduled meetings between Health and WPE sectors in order to share information and problem-solve as necessary
Manage administrative tasks for the research projects including all research study mission travel, accommodation, pre-arrival and in-country assistance for researchers
Maintain positive and productive working relationships with staff, research partners and other community-based partners that IRC works with in Kenya.

Information and Knowledge Management

Prepare, implement, and monitor monthly work plans for the Kenyan projects so that field teams in Dadaab and management teams in Nairobi are knowledgeable about research project activities
Compile, manage, and disseminate relevant information – including current maps, assessments, and other reports relevant to research aims
Produce monthly research briefs that can be used to inform advocacy and programming strategies.
Other duties as required by supervisor.

Required Qualifications:

BA degree in social sciences
Experience conducting and coordinating research projects
Demonstrated experience producing reports and meeting minutes
Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and execute multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with minimum supervision
Demonstrated ability to use social media and a range of presentational platforms
Flexibility a and ability to work under pressure
Strong written and oral communication skills and complete fluency in English, knowledge of local language is added advantage
Cultural sensitivity and experience working with diverse partners

Required Experience & Competencies:

Experience with presenting research findings at public forums, including to non-research focused audiences
Knowledge of Gender based violence and gender issues in conflict;
Experience working in resource poor contexts
Skills and knowledge in using data analysis packages will be an added advantage

Kenyan nationals are encouraged to apply.

International allowances are not available for this position.

Salary and employee benefits are compliant to the Kenyan NGO Sector.

How to Apply

CLICK HERE to apply online

IRC leading the way from harm to home.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

Disclaimer: Please take note that International Rescue Committee (IRC) does not ask for any fees in connection with its recruitment processes. In the event that you receive any request for payment of any sort, please get in touch with us on Tel: +(254-020) 2727730, Email: IRCKenya@rescue.org or report to the nearest police.