Legal Protection Research Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Legal Protection Research Manager to initiate and lead coordination on legal protection research initiatives globally, working closely with the Director, Legal Protection, the Regional Legal Protection Technical Advisors, HIAS programs staff, the Senior Research Advisor and external academic partners. This role involves liaising across several research and programmatic initiatives for HIAS’ Legal Protection work globally and acting as an advocate for research and evidence-based programming across the organization. The Legal Protection Research Manager will work closely with the Strategy & Measurement team to measure the impact of current and future Legal Protection programming on the individuals served by HIAS.

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Legal Protection, the Legal Protection Research Manager will, both directly and through remote and in-person technical assistance, support country program colleagues in field implementation of operational research. They will work closely with the Senior Research Advisor and other thematic Research Managers to support: identification of research priorities, research protocol development and implementation; data collection, monitoring and evaluation; data analysis; process documentation and deliverable tracking; and staff training and technical oversight. This position will be responsible for supporting the implementation of research, cross-context and multisectoral learning, development of program guidance, incorporating learnings into program design, bringing research evidence into policy 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.

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 Senior Research Advisor, Technical Director of Legal Protection, and technical staff from other core program areas.
• 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 Legal Protection 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’ Legal Protection programs and activities, particularly when crosscutting MHPSS, GBV and Economic Inclusion 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 strong partnerships with key stakeholders and partners engaged for 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’ Legal Protection interventions.
• Supports ongoing coordination across multiple research/academic partners, including regular communication.
• In close coordination with country offices, the HQ Legal Protection technical team and HIAS’ Strategy & Measurement 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 communication regarding compliance and project challenges.
• Guides in the development of research central repository for all Legal Protection research studies done, publications and assessments to be accessed for use and learning purposes.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate degree in a relevant field, such as human rights, development studies, law, or related degree preferred.
• 4-6 years acting in a research or advisory capacity in Legal Protection programming. Preferred experience working in emergencies or supporting emergency program design.
• 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 ability to train staff and implementing partners on Legal Protection, 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.
• Experience conducting research for legal protection 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.
• Spanish fluency preferred.
• 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.