Research and MEAL Manager

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview:

The Research & MEAL Manager, under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, will be responsible for ensuring the project meets its Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (RMEAL) commitments for the Indigo Backpacks project. The incumbent will strengthen research capacity and maintain effective close working partnerships with consultant, relevant staff, departments, and implementing partners in IRC Ethiopia and the Indigo Backpacks consortium to ensure high quality and coordinated implementation of the Indigo Backpacks research functions.

The Research & MEAL Manager will report to the Indigo Backpacks implementation research Project coordinator and have a dotted line technical supervision from Ethiopia country MEAL coordinator and Sr. Gavi REACH coordinator. The position holder will work closely with Regional and HQ Research team which leads to aligning all RMEAL activities with the other countries and the general approach.

Major Responsibilities:

Research design and coordination

• Facilitate collaboration with external research consultants/ consultancy firm throughout the research process.
• Support the review and validation of research protocols, data collection tools, and reports led by external consultants, ensuring methodological soundness and alignment with IRC’s MEAL standards.

• Ensure alignment between research protocols and the operational realities of the Indigo backpack rollout.
• Support adaptation of research tools, protocols and methods to local contexts, cultural sensitivities and the health system structures.

• Lead participatory consultations with stakeholders—including MOH, RHB, ZHD, WoHO, health care providers, community leaders, and parents.
• Ensure stakeholder inputs inform all stages of research: planning, implementation, and dissemination.

MEAL responsibilities

• Support and oversee the GF project’s setup and implementation of MEAL systems and processes in alignment with the Country MEAL framework and IRC’s Global MEAL Strategy.
• Lead the development, review, and maintenance of MEAL plans, logical frameworks, indicators, and data management processes to ensure effective monitoring of project performance.
• Oversee data management processes — including data entry, validation, quality checks, and visualization — ensuring accuracy, completeness, and consistency of project information.
• Manage all technical MEAL actions for the GF project and provide support to other Health and Nutrition (H&N) programs as required.
• Ensure high standards in data quality, analysis, reporting, and accountability to clients, partners, and donors.
• Establish, strengthen and improve MEAL systems and approaches to effectively capture progress in Expanded Program on Immunization.
• Represent the IRC’s MEAL function in project meetings, technical forums, and coordination platforms with government counterparts, donors, and partner organizations.
• Champion the design, access, and use of quality data by project teams, leadership, and partners to enhance learning, adaptive management, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration within the MEAL team and across project partners.
• Collaborate with MEAL teams within and outside IRC to harmonize systems, share lessons, and strengthen capacity and experience across programs
• Develop and maintain digital data tools, templates, and dashboards to support data analysis, visualization, and reporting needs.
• Collaborate with data analysts to interpret findings and generate insights relevant to vaccine delivery and access.
• Support the preparation of project progress reports and performance summaries.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of accountability systems, ensuring the inclusion of client feedback, response mechanisms, and data confidentiality practices.

Team coordination and capacitation

• Supervise and coordinate the local Research and MEAL team, including recruitment, onboarding, and performance management.
• Conduct regular supervision meetings and provide mentorship to field Research and MEAL assistants.
• Build capacity of local teams in participatory and ethical research practices.

Field operations and data Collection

• Develop and manage detailed data collection schedules and logistics, including transport, equipment, and fieldwork calendars.
• Coordinate with local offices, health facilities and community partners to ensure smooth field operations.
• Troubleshoot operational challenges and adapt plans as needed.

Ethics and quality assurance

• Coordinate the process and obtain ethical clearance for the research from the appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB).
• Conduct field audits and spot checks to ensure ethical compliance, adherence to protocols and community trust.
• Uphold rigorous standards for informed consent, confidentiality, and respectful engagement.

Reporting and knowledge translation

• Lead and support the development and publication of policy briefs, research articles, and conference presentations.
• Communicate findings in accessible formats for non-technical audiences, including community members, health workers, and policymakers.
• Ensure timely submission of research outputs to donors, partners, and academic platforms.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:-

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Job Requirements:

Educational Requirements:

• MPH or master’s degree in health Monitoring and Evaluation, Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Social Sciences or a related field.

Preferred experience & skills:

• Minimum of 4 years direct experience in managing field-based research, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning projects, preferably in health services and systems.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in research and MEAL in the public health, health systems, humanitarian health, experimental or observational study design and implementation, research capacity strengthening
• Experience managing donor funded projects and grants and technical input to proposal and budget development and donor reports.
• Proven track record in participatory research, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership.
• Proven experience in authoring and publishing research articles in peer-reviewed academic journals.
• Proven experience in mobile based data collection using Kobo Collect, CommCare or other applications.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel and being able to visualize data in (i.e.) Power BI.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reduction software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, R, NVivo).
• Ability to work under pressure, long work hours if necessary, and high workload.
• Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, and capacity building.
• Effective, high-quality communication and writing in English, and interpersonal skills are essential.

• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Language skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Amharic as well as, an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications.

Language Skills: 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Amharic as well as, an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications.

Certificates or Licenses:

IRC is an equal employment 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 or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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