Project Manager - Research Study

Overall purpose of the role: This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in an international research study, as well as gaining experience in research and management. The post-holder will directly report to the Area Manager but will also work closely with the global study team.

The main role of the approximately 15-month full-time post will be coordinating and overseeing the quantitative and qualitative data collection phase of a research study, which will include supervising and training approximately 9 local field staff, coordinating data collection and overseeing data entry, and ensuring that the study is conducted to a high standard and according to protocol. The position can be based in either Tikrit, Salah al-Din, or Telafar, Ninewa, with up to 7 days of travel expected per month.

Responsibilities

Project Management

• Responsible for ensuring high quality, on time project implementation in accordance with donor and DRC regulations. This includes meeting donor targets, ensuring compliant implementation, and supervising quality.
• Produce and regularly update Implementation Plans. Plans should set out future activity and track progress to date on outputs and activities in the Project Management Tool for presentation at monthly Grant Review Meetings.
• Ensure that data is entered into study databases with accurate written and computerized records, and ensure that records are stored security with confidentiality of all electronically stored personal data maintained in line with data protection laws
• Conduct training of field staff for data collection
• Monitor data collection daily and provide quality assurance and quality control
• Monitor data collection processes for issues and obstacles and make suggestions to research leads about how to improve processes
• Develop procurement plans and liaise with relevant support departments to ensure that activities are carried out according to plan, including participation in supply chain processes and ensuring goods are in line with programmatic standards
• Complete and regularly update budget forecasts for project activities and staffing and monitor budget vs actual on a regular basis. Manage expenditure and take timely corrective action to prevent over and under expenditure
• Regularly update the project monitoring tools, including (a) ensuring appropriate indicator and quality tracking (both quantitative and qualitative) and (b) working closely with MEAL to put in place accountability measures
• Under the guidance of and in close collaboration with the Area Manager, coordinate with local authorities to assist with access, and maintain ongoing communication with safety regarding relevant contextual developments and incident reporting.

Team management

• Manage the field officer and outreach workers under your direct supervision, and provide regular constructive feedback to direct reports, following DRC’s Performance management procedures, as well as performance development plans and annual reviews
• Provide training, expert advice and assistance to the team and liaise with line and technical management as necessary regarding team performance
• Plan annual leaves for your team members to ensure there is always sufficient resource available

Reporting

• Lead on the drafting, editing, and preparation of correspondence, high quality reports, and other project related materials
• Ensure the production of summaries and analysis of the data collected and compiled when required

Coordination

• Exchange information relevant to the project both internally and externally, and pro-actively build good rapport with local authorities and community representatives.
• Act as the daily focal point and liaison with the research study coordinators to ensure smooth day-to-day flow of communications with the project teams and collaborators, and to keep the research study coordinators informed of all relevant information.
• Participate in regular coordination meetings as required
• Maintain close and constructive communications with colleagues in (a) other sectors, (b) Area Office management, (c) Country Office technical supervision, and (d) support office (Finance, HR, Supply Chain) regarding challenges and opportunities

Other

• Ensure the respect of DRC Code of Conduct and DRC’s zero-tolerance policy of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), and humanitarian principles and contribute to the integration of Protection and Age, Gender, Diversity (AGD) mainstreaming into DRC programming.
• Undertake any other duties that may be assigned by the Line Manager.

Experience and technical competencies:

Professional Skills and Experience Required

• At least 1 year of experience in project management on the implementation of a project in Iraq
• Demonstrated and extensive experience in coordinating data collection among communities in Iraq, such as FGDs, KIIs, needs assessments, or surveys.
• Demonstrated experience in information management such as the use of server-based information collection tools etc
• Background in social work and/or protection strongly desired, with experience in the humanitarian or development context an asset
• At least 1 year of experience in management and supervision of a team
• Research background an asset

Personal skills and experience required:

• Good organizational skills, including time management, and rigor
• Ability to organize and prioritize own work and organize research within the project timetable
• Ability to maintain accurately and up to date records
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Proven strong analytical and communication, representation, negotiation, advocacy and diplomacy skills; 

Education:

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (Master/PhD will be an asset)
• Experience in protection is considered an asset

Languages:

• English (fluent)
• Arabic (fluent)
• Turkmen desired

Key stakeholders:

• HDP Coordinator
• Head of Programme
• Research Study Organization leads

As part of DRC Iraq’s commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion, we strongly encourage applications from female candidates, persons living with disability, as well as representatives of minorities.

We encourage people with Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) experience to apply.