Research Consultant – Resilience in the Sea of Azov

BACKGROUND on IMPACT and REACH

REACH was born in 2010 as a joint initiative of two International NGOs (IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED) and the United Nations Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). REACH’s purpose is to promote and facilitate the development of information products that enhance the humanitarian community’s decision making and planning capacity for emergency, reconstruction and development contexts. REACH facilitates information management for aid actors through three complementary services: (a) need and situation assessments facilitated by REACH teams; (b) situation analysis using satellite imagery; (c) provision of related database and (web)-mapping facilities and expertise.

IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation manages several initiatives, including the REACH Initiative. The IMPACT team comprises Managers in data collection, management and analysis and GIS. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO whose headquarter is based in Paris and is present in thirty countries. The two organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, enabling IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support on its fields of intervention.

COUNTRY PROFILE

In 2022 eastern Ukraine will enter its eight year of armed conflict where approximately 3 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Ongoing ceasefire violations along the 427-km Line of Contact (LoC) and the restrictions on movement of people and goods continue to pose significant risks to civilian populations in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts (collectively referred to as Donbas). In a recent assessment conducted by REACH, it was found that for 31% of households with severe or extreme severity of humanitarian needs, the primary drivers of needs were associated with food security and livelihoods and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). In this already fragile context, Ukraine is experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and a fever pitch of political tensions with potential to significantly escalate humanitarian need and set back development efforts since the conflict began in 2014.

Since 2014, the country has embarked on an ambitious decentralization agenda which will culminate in the formation of new administrative territories (Hromadas) with increased planning responsibilities. However, in conflict affected areas of eastern Ukraine this process is hampered by the line of contact which created a border in densely populated urban areas, significantly affecting the ability to plan long term development due to the separation of large urban centers and their peripheries.

Since 2016, IMPACT’s REACH program in Ukraine has been providing granular data, timely information and in-depth analysis from contexts of crisis, disaster and displacement. The work of REACH directly feeds into aid response and decision-making by providing accessible and precise information on the humanitarian situation of crisis-affected populations. In partnership with the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Program (UNRPP), IMPACT is supporting through its AGORA program the recovery and development of conflict affect communities by improving the availability of evidence at the local level and providing technical support to local authorities in terms of recovery planning. IMPACT has developed since 2017 a disaster risk reduction and environment program that seeks to reduce the vulnerability of communities in eastern Ukraine to disasters. In partnership with a consortium of NGOs, IMPACT leads an activity that seeks to increase the understanding of disaster risk at the local level. Through the use of various remote sensing and GIS analyses, IMPACT has developed replicable and scalable risk assessment covering both natural and man-made hazards. Finally, IMPACT’s PANDA activities include the improvement of the effectiveness, efficiency and efficacy of humanitarian and development interventions. PANDA operates as a business unit of IMPACT Initiatives, providing independent consultancy services to its clients.

FUNCTIONS

The Consultant will be under the supervision of the IMPACT Senior Research Manager in Ukraine. The will work in close collaboration with the PANDA team in-country, but will be responsible for their own task management, inclusive of necessary preparation, implementation and follow-up with the IMPACT CFP.

If in person, his/her mission, the Surge Team Member will be hosted by ACTED and will fall under the responsibility of ACTED’s Country Director and his/her delegates. S/he will reside within the ACTED Guesthouse, making use of the REACH office (within the limits set by social distancing and office space). This hosting includes all accommodation arrangements. S/he will fully abide to ACTED’s Security, HR, Administration and Logistics rules and regulations.

REQUIREMENTSResearch Cycle Management:** Ability to conduct rapid secondary data review, and experience in managing the analysis, drafting and dissemination phase of the research cycle.

Communication Skills: Ability to coordinate with key stakeholders in developing research objectives; Ability to oversee the production data and GIS inputs for information products

Personal Attributes: Ability to work autonomously and remain flexible in case of shifting priorities; Fluency in English, Russian/Ukrainian language skills a bonus

Technical Skills: Experience in drafting narrative report for mixed-method methodologies research projects; Experience in secondary data review, particularly in the areas of economic or social development; Experience in conducting presentations of research findings and of joint analysis workshops; Experience in line management

CONDITIONS

Salary defined by the IMPACT salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus

If in country, additional monthly living allowance provided in country by IMPACT’s partner ACTED

If in country, Food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment)

If in country, Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance

START DATE: ASAP