Economic Inclusion & CVA Research Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks an Economic Inclusion & CVA Research Manager to lead coordination on specific research initiatives globally and across HIAS sectors; working closely with the Director, Economic Inclusion & CVA, as well as external academic partners, this role involves liaising across several research and programmatic initiatives for economic inclusion and CVA globally to deliver projects in a high-quality, effective and efficient manner. The Economic Inclusion & CVA Research Manager will lead the measurement of impacts of economic inclusion programming on GBV-related outcomes, such as dimensions of women’s empowerment and GBV risk reduction.

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Economic Inclusion & CVA, the Economic Inclusion & CVA Research Manager will support research protocol development and implementation, data collection, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, process documentation and deliverable tracking, staff training and technical oversight. They will also coordinate closely with regional economic inclusion & CVA stakeholders. This position will also support the implementation of pilots, cross-context learning, development of program guidance and other internal initiatives.

Organizationally, HIAS is guided by its Refugee Rights Framework. This rights-based approach, based on international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law and practice, provides a programming framework for HIAS’ focus on refugee protection. This framework prioritizes programming impact that ensures forcibly displaced people realize their potential and become contributors to society, with this impact being achieved through the realization of legal and civil rights and social and economic rights, including 1) the right to protection from harm, violence and discrimination; 2) the right to recovery from the shock of displacement; and 3) the right to economic self-sufficiency and inclusion.

Our experience has shown that enabling refugees to work in their host countries is a way to combine the humanitarian needs of refugees with development needs of a whole community where refugees and locals can find opportunities that will enhance their self-reliance, regain dignity, increase their resilience and provide them the chance to build an independent and meaningful future. Moreover, access to sustainable livelihoods is a tool for covering refugees protection needs, food security, housing, health and other services in a dignified way. A growing body of evidence suggests that including refugees in local economies contributes to economic growth and can thus be mutually beneficial for refugees and host communities.

Our work is framed in alignment with the recently adopted Global Compact on Refugees, in which member states committed to enhancing refuge self-reliance and in accordance with the 2030 Agenda´s Sustainable Development Goals, especially with SDG1 regarding poverty eradication and SDG8 regarding decent work and economic growth.

Note, this position is based at our headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland or our office in New York, New York, and we will consider a remote option for applicants who live outside of commuting distance to either of our offices and are based in other states in which we are registered (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

PROJECT MANAGEMENT/RESEARCH PROJECT DELIVERY SUPPORT

• Leads implementation of pilot research project under the REAP initiative, with support from the Director, Economic Inclusion & CVA, as well as technical staff from other core program areas.
• Assists country offices to finalize research protocol and data collection tools, in close coordination with external research partners and HIAS’ HQ EI & CVA technical team.
• Contributes to development of analysis plan and overall project work plan; coordinates with country teams to develop and maintain timeline for regular communication and project reporting/deliverables.
• Coordinates with the Finance teams (local and HQ) to ensure the budget reflects current activity plans.
• Supports development of action plan for longer-term research agenda.
• Facilitates project coordination, information-sharing and guidance on donor rules and reporting to project staff.
• Co-designs and supervises data collection, entry and analysis as needed.
• Reviews and shares program-specific tools/resources and works with HIAS’ HQ EI & CVA technical team to contextualize and adapt global and country-specific materials.
• Leads the design of pilot research project focused on measuring the impact of HIAS’ economic inclusion initiatives, particularly when crosscutting MHPSS and GBV programming (including research questions, methodology, etc.).
• Supervises research team (including enumerators and staff) and implementation of research in designated country offices.
• Designs training materials and training methodology for research teams.
• Trains research teams in research methodology, ethics and fundamental skills.

PARTNER COORDINATION

• Builds and maintains good partnerships with key stakeholders and partners engaged for the research projects.
• Identifies key research partners that will be interested in leading the design of pilot research projects focused on measuring the impact of HIAS EI & CVA programming, particularly when crosscutting GBV and MHPSS interventions.
• Supports ongoing coordination across multiple research/academic partners, including regular communication mechanisms (emails and standing check-in calls).
• In close coordination with country offices and the HQ EI & CVA technical team, engages with key stakeholders for the implementation and coordination of the research.

MONITORING & EVALUATION/RESEARCH

• Ensures country offices conduct quality data collection in adherence with research protocols by providing technical guidance, capacity building, standardized guidance and ongoing support as needed.
• Synthesizes and develops lessons learned across operational research sites (together with research team).
• Coordinates and contributes to the development of external project reporting and manuscript preparation.

REPORTING

• Leads the analysis and presentation of results (including identification of most effective analysis methodologies and multiple avenues for presenting results).
• Coordinates the development of all narrative reports and quarterly performance reports from project team, and provides feedback to improve product quality and accuracy.
• Coordinates follow-up to narrative reports, including questions from donor and other communications regarding compliance and project challenges.
• Guides in the development of research central repository for all EI & CVA research studies done, publications and assessment to be accessed for use and learning purposes.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate degree in Economics, Business Administration, International Business, International Relations or other related field.
• 5-7 years of experience implementing EI & CVA programming in humanitarian settings, and at least 1-2 years acting in a research or advisory capacity in EI and/or CVA programming; experience working in emergencies or supporting emergency program design preferred.
• English fluency required; Spanish fluency preferred.
• Demonstrated capacity and experience in conducting field-level assessments and developing assessment tools, e.g. questionnaires, focus group discussions, etc.
• Demonstrated experience leading research initiatives and supervising implementation.
• Demonstrated experience in implementation of multi-sectoral response to MHPSS, including (but not limited to) GBV, child protection, legal response and economic inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to train staff and implementing partners on EI & CVA, including excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Experience in impact studies and establishing clear pathways to change.
• Collaborative, flexible team player with the ability to think creatively, logically and critically about solutions to gaps in economic inclusion programming.
• Strong understanding of market-based programs, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility and the nexus approach.
• Experience in research for economic development programs, particularly for vulnerable populations, migrants and forcibly displaced people.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, including the ability to regularly communicate with, motivate and support field-based staff, as well as effectively communicate key program achievements and operational challenges.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills required.
• Up to 40% travel may be required.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation, or other legally protected status.