ECD Research and Data Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Since 2007, IRC has worked with refugees and other vulnerable populations in Jordan.IRC’s current programs in Jordan focus on urban interventions in the north that address gender-based violence specifically violence against women and girls for Syrian refugees and host community members as well as reproductive health care to Syrian refugees through two clinics based in Ramtha and Mafraq, and having mobile outreach health teams in both Mafraq & Irbid, and Economic Recovery & Development program. In 2013 IRC also started with Early Childhood Development programming addressing the needs of unaccompanied & separated children (UASC) and alternative care arrangements in Zatri and Azraq camps.

In Mafraq, Irbid, Ramtha and Azraq Refugee Camp, the IRC is implementing a program to support caregivers of young children through a play-based home visiting intervention. High-quality ECD programs provide the foundation for children’s future academic success, health, prosperity and wellbeing. A large body of scientific evidence emphasizes the need for increased investment in early childhood, particularly for children experiencing conflict, crisis and displacement; these children are extremely vulnerable to the long-lasting effects that prolonged stress has on the developing brain. This program will contribute vital research to the evidence-base for the implementation of ECD in emergency responses.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC reaches over a million children annually with education and child protection programs in 25 countries around the world.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Research Officer organizes and coordinates the research agenda, and co- leads the implementation of the research framework for ECD in Jordan, overseeing specific ECD initiatives while also tracking and assisting in baseline and end-line data collection in the camps and urban settings.The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in conducting research, preferably with expertise in humanitarian programming and ECD.

Major Responsibilities:

• Under the guidance of the Research Manager, review and finalize the research assessments for ECD in Jordan, and draft specific frameworks, plans, and tracking tools.
• Under the guidance of the Research manager. Oversee the implementation of selected quantitative and qualitative research studies (including surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and other methodologies), and provide input into study methodology, data collection and reports.  Responsibilities for specific research studies may include:

• Train enumerators in quantitative and qualitative data collection for research studies, under guidance of Research manager and other team members
• Oversee the work of the enumerators to ensure that data collection follows procedures
• Conduct data quality checks of quantitative and qualitative data.
• Participate in the design and oversee implementation of strategies and methodologies for accurately collecting, recording, compiling and analyzing data, to report progress towards project objectives.
• Ensure that high quality research data is recorded and stored effectively, and is usefully retrievable and reportable on a regular and frequent basis.
• Support the Research manager, using statistical and analytical software tools, to analyze data based on the analysis plan, through in depth analysis and reports.
•  Work with the Research Manager, the ECD Coordinator, the ECD quality development Officer, MEAL team, and New York University to provide timely updates and reports as needed.
• Provide guidance and technical support as needed to the enumerators, and any other relevant ECD/ programs  staff member on research and learning, by making sure that deliverables are as per action plans and according to high quality standards.
• Ensure that all research using ECD resources is coordinated and overviewed by the Research Manager for proper methodology and robust analysis.
• Support Research Manager in facilitating the process of using research results to inform the ECD strategy and agenda.
•  Prepare and share presentations on findings and research and assist in the drafting of the donor reports as needed.
• Control and verify data collected from the field.  

Key Working Relationships:

·Position Reports to: Research Manager

·Position directly supervises:Enumerators (temporary staff)

·Indirect Reporting: Integrated ECD Coordinator

·Other Internal and/or external contacts:

• Internal: The position closely works with MEAL team, ECD team.
• External:  The Research Officer works closely with NYU researchers and engages with other ECD research staff members in Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria.

• At least 2 years of relevant working experience in the area of research, including data collection and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in developing quantitative assessment tools (e.g. questionnaires).
• Demonstrated experience and capacity in conducting and managing field-level survey data collection and data entry using electronic tools.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of applied statistical methods and statistical reporting software.
• Demonstrated experience in drafting reports of research results for multiple audiences, including program staff and donors.
•  Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility, ability to coordinate and build consensus.
• Personal qualities: works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.
• Very good in English and Arabic, oral and written.

Preferred:

• Master degree in Applied Research, Computer Science, Statistics, or any relevant related field.
• Experience in managing qualitative research, including development of qualitative measurement tools (e.g. focus group discuss guides, interview guides), managing qualitative data collection, and analysis of qualitative data.
• Certification or specific training in Statistics, Information Management and/or Data Management.
• INGO experience.

Working Environment:

The position is based in Amman, with frequent travel to camps and urban areas.