Senior Assessment Officer - MSNA

IMPACT Initiatives (HQ)

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Assessment Officer is responsibilities include:

Research CYCLE MANAGEMENT

• Anticipate knowledge gaps prior to the execution of a Research Cycle through strong understanding of the Somali context.
• Ensure that required secondary data review and/or analysis has been conducted in preparation of an assessment.
  Ensure that all research cycles are planned in line with the country strategy, relevant research and project objectives and with IMPACT s research cycle and other relevant guidelines.
  Design research approaches and methodologies according to IMPACT s requirements and principles as well as partners information needs.
• Compose and construct, in close coordination with GIS and data teams, qualitative and quantitative data collection tool.
  Ensure relevant stakeholders and partners are engaged in research design and planning.

STAFF MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING

• Line manage the MSNA Assessment Officer directly and lead the MSNA team throughout the research cycle
• In close liaison with the Field Manager and Ops teams (field officer and logistics team), manage assessment logistics, including with partner organizations, identifying assessment areas, facilitating design workshops, managing joint data collection processes, and facilitating joint analysis workshops.
• In close liaison the Ops teams, ensure logistics, financial, administration, security and HR processes directly related to ongoing and upcoming assessments are appropriately planned, implemented and coordinated with the relevant ACTED departments.
• In close liaison with data colleagues, provide quantitative, qualitative, and spatial data analysis on primary and/or secondary data as per ToRs, ensuring that meaningful techniques are used to analyze the data collected.
• Promoting capacity building across the IMPACT Somalia mission related to deepening analytical capacities using existing research (capacity building portfolio will depend on level of experience)
• Providing day-to-day direct and indirect management of the research team within their unit/workstream, and field team during data collection.

INTERNAL COORDINATION

• Interacting autonomously with HQ departments and serve as mission focal point for HQ s HPPU unit and specialists in particular themes or technical areas.
• Engage in the development and implementation of IMPACT s strategy in Somalia
• Conduct regular meetings with relevant national and international assessment staff members to assess progress in relevant research cycles and to review work plan.
• For all activities, ensure that all assessment and field teams are comprehensively briefed on objectives, expected outputs and that the overall implementation strategy is clearly understood.
• Ensure that project/field staff are given required training and resources to achieve their tasks in line with IMPACT and project requirements. Support to the line managers and specialists in the development and implementation of capacity training plans for team members.
• Be available to provide regular support and technical backstopping; regularly debrief team members to receive feedback on the progress of an activity.
• In coordination with line manager, contribute to conduct induction for new staff members, including training in basic technical competencies for research design, implementation and analysis.

DISSEMINATION MANAGEMENT

• Ensure the drafting of timely and accurate outputs that consolidate the analyses from each research cycle into relevant products such as factsheets, reports, briefs, presentations, etc which comply with IMPACT s guidelines and quality standards.
• Ensure that products accurately reflect the information collected and that information is conveyed in a way that maximizes their impact in line with their intended use for the relevant audiences.
• Follow the designated timeline of reports to be submitted to project partners and donors. Ensure that delays or identified challenges for specific assessments are reported in writing and orally in a timely manner.
• Maintain regular communication with country Management and IMPACT HQ on progress and deadlines for deliverables
• Ensure that all written products are validated by IMPACT HQ before external release.

REQUIREMENTS

• Years of work experience 3 years of relevant working experience in a humanitarian setting, such as assessments, monitoring and evaluation, research design and analysis, etc.
• Research skills Excellent quantitative and qualitative research data analysis experience required. Ability to adapt, implement and interpret methodology, sampling and analysis to a high standard
• Familiarity with the humanitarian and aid system Good understanding of the aid system and the research community. Prior experience with humanitarian coordination forums preferred
• Thematic experience Prior experience with MSNA type of research and humanitarian assessments is an asset. Prior experience working with components of FSL/public health is highly desirable
• Communication/reporting skills Excellent verbal and written communication and drafting skills for effective and accurate reporting required
• Academic qualifications Excellent academic qualifications, preferably including a master s degree in relevant discipline (e.g. international studies, development, humanitarian response, data science, political science, statistics, etc)
• Software skills Proven knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, to include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Advanced skills in R, SPSS and/or STATA or other statistical analysis software are an advantage, Experience with InDesign an asset.
• Level of independence Proven ability to work independently.
• Experience in geographical region Past experience in the HoA region is desirable; or any other emergency context where access is challenging.
• Language skills Fluency in English required, competency in Somali an asset.
• Security environment Openness to working in a high-risk security zone required. Ability to operate in a complex and challenging security environment. Ability to prioritize self-care and well-being.