Background:
The International Rescue Committee 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.
As a global humanitarian organization, the IRC has unique capabilities – and is particularly known for rigorous research and evidence-based programs. A key initiative that supports this strategy is the IRC Research & Development (R&D) lab, aimed at investing in the design, development, and scaling of new humanitarian interventions and delivery models. The lab seeks to apply best practices from human-centered design, rapid iteration, multi-disciplinary problem-solving, and an innovation portfolio management function in the humanitarian context.
In 2017, in concert with the IRC’s Middle East Regional team, the R&D lab created a regional innovation “hub” with the objective of building a portfolio of breakthrough solutions for the problems facing Syrian refugees and host communities in Jordan and Lebanon. We’re now seeking a highly effective, entrepreneurial team with the grit and determination to identify and bring 4-5 new innovations to scale in the next 3 years—new solutions that will help millions of Syrians living in displacement survive and recover.
Job Overview:
Based in Amman, the Regional Research and Strategy Specialist will lead the process to flesh out early stage concepts for the Innovation Hub, using strong analytical and research skills to specify a problem space, identify keys research questions and sources of insights, conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative research, and synthesize findings and implications for policy and practice into clear, actionable communications products. He or she will be part of a small, tight-knit innovation team that will quickly break down problems and iterate rapidly towards evidence-based, human-centered solutions, creating buy-in and building partnerships along the way. This is a challenging position which requires strong strategic problem-solving skills, excellent interpersonal skills, a high level of personal initiative and the ability to work well in a distributed, multicultural, fast-paced environment.
Major Responsibilities:
Strategy and Research
•Lead on coordinating as well as conducting quantitative and qualitative research, managing input from diverse group of stakeholders
•Conduct preliminary research and landscape scanning to define problem scopes and issue trees, working with Design Specialist to refine problem and solution spaces
•Identify and prioritize key research questions and develop into feasible research plan
•Conduct evidence reviews, including desk research, key informant interviews, and other qualitative and qualitative data gathering as needed
•Proactively pursue sources of data and insight needed to complete analysis and ensure pace of progress and quality of analysis are maintained in line with team expectations
•Closely manage progress against project objectives, highlighting roadblocks as soon as they arise and taking full personal ownership for high-quality timely delivery
•Synthesize findings of early research and problem structuring and identify leading hypotheses for solutions
Communications and Synthesis
•Succinctly and clearly synthesize various research outputs (quantitative, qualitative, academic, etc.) and effectively communicate research findings through drafting of policy papers, evidence reviews, donor reports, blogs, etc.
•Identify and prioritize actionable policy recommendations for key target actors (for other NGOs, governmental, and private sector actors) and tailor communications to effectively reach these actors
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Regional Innovation Director
Position directly supervises: N/A
Indirect Reporting: N/A
Other Internal and/or external contacts:
Internal: Operations Coordinator, Design Specialist, research consultants, HQ innovation team staff, Field team
External: Local research partners
Job Requirements:
•University degree required; MA/MS/MPA/MBA a plus.
•At least five years of work experience in research, for example a university, think tank, management or strategy consulting, or a similar highly analytic role
•Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
•Excellent writing skills
•Experience with primary and secondary research. Familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative data.
•A results-driven and solution-oriented approach to work, proven personal initiative and an ability to respond proactively and positively to ambiguity
•Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, proven ability to communicating effectively with members of a complex organization at multiple levels
•Field experience preferred
•Experience with quantitative analysis preferred, including experience with SPSS or similar
•A drive to use skills for social impact and a dedication to making the world a better place for the most vulnerable.
•Highly independent and self-motivated
•Resilience in response to setbacks, and an ability to anticipate and overcome barriers to success
•Comfortable in a multi-cultural environment
•Flexible and able to handle pressure well
•Fluency in English required, fluency in Arabic a plus
Working Environment:
●Based in Amman, Jordan
●Standard office work environment
●For international candidates, a generous housing and allowances package is included.
●Regular travel between Jordan and Lebanon
Professional Standards
IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a national of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.
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.
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