Researcher

Researcher

Children have the right to grow up in peace, free from fear and violence. To develop their full potential and become the person they want to be. War Child makes a lasting impact. By protecting children from violence and offering psychosocial support and education. We unleash the children’s inner strength with our creative and involving approach. And inspire as many people as we can to participate in our cause. War Child is both implementing its own programmes and cooperating with a variety of partner organizations in 14 countries around the world. www.warchildholland.org

War Child Holland is looking for: Researcher

Background

War Child Holland (WCH) is an independent and impartial international non-governmental organization investing in a peaceful future for children and young people affected by armed conflict. We strive to empower children and young people while enabling adults to bring about positive and lasting change in the lives of conflict-affected children and young people.

Purpose of the job

The Researcher is responsible for research, methodology and data analysis of a specific topic, theme or field, of importance for the development of the various programmes of War Child, and as described in the research agenda developed by the Research & Development department (R&D). The Researcher is responsible for providing guidance and support in the design and analysis of research projects that meet essential requirements of scientific research.

Position in the organisation

The Researcher is part of the Research & Development department (R&D) and collaborates closely with other team specialist working for the various fields, for example regional and country based technical advisors, and the global Programme Quality Team. The Researcher functionally reports to the Director R&D.

The Researcher will be based in Jordan, and operates within the management structure of the Jordan office, including close collaboration with the Country Director, Head of Progammes and Programme, Quality and Partnership Manager. The Researcher has primary responsibility for Jordan-based research projects, with additional responsibility of support other research projects in the Middle East, based upon need and scope.

Result areas

Result: Fundraising for the R&D agenda and country strategy is successful and regular and necessary funding is guaranteed.

• Strategy development Research & Development on a specific topic or theme (family and caregiver and youth MHPSS interventions)

  • Design, propose and adopt research strategy and projects specific to family and parenting MHPSS interventions
  • Set the research agenda for this specific topic or theme
  • Build partnerships and collaborations necessary for research in- and outside War Child
  • Guidance and capacity building within the R&D department regarding strategy development Result: The research strategy, projects and agenda are developed including clear and concrete purposes within the area of responsibility.
  • Disseminate, communicate and uptake he results
  • Plan and manage data collection (for different research projects), including RCT’s
  • Support the development of appropriate qualitative research projects and strategies linked to the development of the care system trajectories
  • Actively explore mixed-methods designs, linking quantitative and qualitative research methods
  • Conduct systematic analysis of qualitative data, including qualitative data analysis software programs when feasible Result: Management procedures are thoroughly and supportive for research goals. Framework for research is developed, clear and consistent, and research is conducted within this framework. Adequate research methods are used and the outcome of analyses is checked and base for new research and further conclusions. Sound methodological research strategies are designed and planned for the core interventions.

• Develop, coordinate, conduct and implement research on a specific topic or theme (family and caregiver and youth MHPSS interventions)

  • Develop and oversee data management procedures to support the research
  • Develop research and/or intervention standards for necessary data research projects, including SOPs
    • Develop appropriate and ethical study designs (including protocols)
    • Supervise, conduct and support the quantitative and qualitative analyses
    • Manage training and supervision of the RAs/RCs

• Fundraising and representation on a specific topic or theme (family and caregiver and youth MHPSS interventions)

• Attract current and new donors and sources for research funding in coordination with relevant country and regional colleagues.

• Responsible for identifying, building, and maintaining research partnerships in the region

• Representation at research-related events (jointly with the Director R&D, regional staff, and country directors)

• Contributes to grant proposals as needed/requested

• People management

• Ensures proper quantitative and qualitative staffing within the team in order to achieve the determined objectives

• Manages employees by monitoring the quality, efficiency and quantity of the performance of work and guides, instructs, coaches or motivates staff when needed

• Facilitates coordination between research, programmes, operations and support staff.

• Responsible for the execution of the established personnel policies and conducts for instance performance appraisals with the employees involved

• Identifies development potential of the employees, discusses this, establishes agreements and supports people in the implementation

• Acts as point of contact for employees with questions and problems

Result: Employees are managed in a manner that they are motivated and have realized their work efficiently and effectively

Experience, knowledge and skills

• Education / degree:
• Advanced or further training related to complex research projects, or relevant experience
• Experience:
• Minimal 5 years of relevant research experience, preferably with a broad range of quantitative and qualitative research methods, design and analysis. Familiarity with implementation science and capacity building of researchers.
• Programme implementation in-country (in the adverse contexts)
• Strong connection and knowledge of the local educational and research systems (e.g. Universities)
• Knowledge:
• Significant experience with different study designs, for example randomised control trials, ideally in settings of adversity (conflict, urban slums, violence etc.)
• Skills:
• Team worker who can work together with research and non-research colleagues
• Able to think through randomisation and sampling issues
• Advanced familiarity with SPSS
• Enjoys managing large data sets and is able to undertake appropriate advanced quantitative data analysis
• Conversant with state of the art and visionary
• Fluent in Arabic and English

Core Values

• Impact
• Creativity
• Inspiration
• Integrity

Competencies

• Analytical skills –level 3
• Quality orientation – level 2
• Accuracy/Carefulness –level 2
• Cooperation – level 2
• Networking – level 2

The safety of children is essential to War Child. War Child does not tolerate or accept any form of abuse. This subject is addressed in our recruitment and selection procedures.