GBV Research Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks an experienced GBV Research Manager with expertise in researching GBV prevention and risk mitigation approaches and impact. HIAS’ approach to Gender and GBV programming includes response, risk mitigation and prevention, focused on forcibly displaced populations. Interventions include short-term curricula that can be used in rapidly changing contexts with people on the move, to critical economic inclusion initiatives specifically geared towards reducing risk of women and girls to GBV.

HIAS seeks to strengthen the evidence base around what works amongst our existing approaches to reduce risk and prevent GBV, as well as how they work—strengthening understanding of the pathways to change and specific types of change (e.g. knowledge, attitudes or behaviors) that we can expect to achieve with our interventions, and where greater effort is needed. With this will also come an understanding of what doesn’t work and what additional efforts might be needed. HIAS intends to build on existing evidence globally and regionally as there is a lot of evidence in the field of GBV prevention and response that already exists. However, more nuanced analysis reveals that there is still a lot to learn, particularly in the contexts where HIAS works—with refugees and populations on the move. This position will lead HIAS in a pilot research project that studies the impact of HIAS’ multi-sectoral programming on GBV risk mitigation, with a focus on economic inclusion and GBV, while helping to build out HIAS’ Gender & GBV Learning Agenda and taking it forward in the longer term.

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:

RESEARCH DESIGN

• Leads the design of research methodologies for Gender and GBV research projects, identifying the most appropriate methods according to key questions and contexts.
• Develops high quality research tools.
• Ensures all aspects of research design, implementation and analysis adhere to ethical standards.
• Contributes to HIAS’ Gender and GBV overall learning agenda; identifies learning opportunities that are best suited to research and those that are best suited to program monitoring, evaluation and practice-based learning.

RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGEMENT/ PROJECT DELIVERY SUPPORT

• Contributes to development of research and learning project work plans and results analysis plan; coordinates with country teams and technical staff 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.
• Facilitates research 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.
• Supervises research team and provides capacity-strengthening on research methodology and analysis.

PARTNER COORDINATION

• Builds and maintains good partnerships with key stakeholders and partners engaged for Gender and GBV research projects.
• 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 GBV technical team, engages with key stakeholders for the implementation and coordination of the research.

RESEARCH IMPLEMENTATION, ANALYSIS AND LEARNING

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

OBJECTIVES & DELIVERABLES

• Contributes to process of defining HIAS’ Gender & GBV Learning Agenda.
• Leads the design of pilot research project focused on the impact of HIAS’ economic inclusion initiatives on GBV risk mitigation and prevention (including research questions, methodology, etc.).
• Develops research tools that correspond to the approach and are in accordance with standards and ethics for feminist research.
• Leads implementation of pilot research project under the REAP initiative, with support from the Technical Directors of Gender & GBV and Economic Inclusion.
• Supervises research team (including enumerators and staff) and implementation of research in designated country offices.
• Designs training materials and training methodology for research team.
• Trains research teams in research methodology, ethics and fundamental skills.
• Leads the analysis and presentation of results (including identification of most effective analysis methodologies and multiple avenues for presenting results).
• Supports development of action plan for longer-term research agenda.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• 4-6 years of experience designing or implementing research related to GBV, women’s empowerment, feminist programming or related fields; experience specific to GBV prevention preferred.
• English fluency required; Spanish fluency preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading and supervising research initiatives on GBV, gender or related field; experience with impact studies and identifying pathways to change preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of most common research methodologies used to research GBV in humanitarian settings; ability to identify the most appropriate methodology according to the research questions and context.
• Strong understanding of ethical standards for researching GBV and engaging with communities, refugees, migrants and displaced populations and application of ethical considerations in research design, implementation and follow-up.
• Experience identifying and working with local research partners.
• Prior experience using statistical analysis and coding software for both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience with research that is action-oriented and focused on multiple levels, including individual, social, systemic and institutional.
• Skilled in training and facilitation for research teams, as well as communicating results.
• Demonstrated understanding of differences between program monitoring, evaluation and research, and ability to identify when and how to use each approach for learning; experience developing related tools.
• Experience developing research and monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Experience in development of theories of change, including output and outcome level performance measurement indicators and targets related to GBV.
• Collaborative, flexible team player with the ability to think creatively, logically and critically about solutions to gaps in programming.
• Commitment to survivor-centered, feminist principles in research; upholds organizational values in all aspects of work.
• Excellent writing, 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.