Research and Learning Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Under the supervision of the Research Project Coordinator, the Research and learning officer will be the focal point for community based MNH care services in Dhusamreeb. S/he will ensure the implementation of a quality community health program for host communities and IDPs per national and international standards. S/he will provide technical oversight to field-based community health staff around maternal and newborn health, emphasizing coaching field staff to build their capacity. The Research learning officer will monitor the improvement of all community health indicators as per national and international standards in Somalia. S/he will receive guidance and technical support from the Research Project Coordinator and Senior Health Coordinator.

As a part of this project, we will implement community-based maternal and newborn health interventions. The project contains multiple components, such as community-based maternal and newborn care packages, user-centered design, and behavioral insights processes to develop preliminary program design, piloting program design, implementation and research on the program, and stakeholder engagement and advocacy. We anticipate this project to be approximately three years long. This project will work parallel with a multicounty research project called Ensuring Quality Access and Learning (EQUAL) which aims to produce rigorous, operationally relevant research and evidence to improve maternal and neonatal health in low-income, conflict-affected contexts.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a focal point for all monitoring and evaluation activities, progress reviews, assessments and developing reports, etc.
• Provide technical oversight of the M&E of the CBMNC project and support the monitoring of MNH intervention implementation, as per the program M&E plan.
• Build the key partners’ capacity by preparing supervision instruments and processes based on the program M&E plan and support the implementation of these instruments in the Supervision of Community Health Workers.
• Distribute reporting materials; support regular data collection supervision with the design and implementation of agreed tools and processes.
• Support research partner focal points to ensure accurate report completion and provide technical support to the analysis of program performance and provide advice for improvements.
• Support consolidated reports from each village and provide feedback to the key technical staff.
• Build partner capacity by assisting in developing and implementing mechanisms for supervision and monitoring.
• Participate in the required performance review meetings with the government and partners.
• Monitor progress in the implementation and results of the projects against the strategic objectives and indicators, as well as promote and support the quality assurance of all project interventions.
• Oversees all the data collection and analysis processes, and facilitates baseline, progress studies, and surveys as required.
• Conducts qualitative and quantitative data analysis and information evaluation, contributing towards the situation analysis, progress, constraints and gaps assessments, and evaluation of the program performance.
• Provide technical support and training to project partner(s) to strengthen M&E systems, including the development of systems, the recommended reporting and monitoring formats & guidelines or/and provides any on-site support.
• Provides appropriate comments and prepares consolidated high-quality analytical and visualized reports in collaboration with the project team.
• Assists in the collection and dissemination of lessons learned, actioning evidence-based programming informing the project approach, and adapting the M&E systems and framework as required by the context.
• Participate in strategic program discussions on the planning of the project.
• Maintenance of data platform for the project.

Minimum Qualifications

• University Degree in public health, development studies, research methods, or statistics from a recognized institution with a minimum of 2 years of experience in health and community health programming.
• Strong experience in M$E and research work, especially quantitative surveys for maternal newborn health, or community health, is preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in the English language, both oral and written, and the ability to use Microsoft Excel functions effectively.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to lead, train and motivate a team.
• Proven analytical, communication/ negotiation skills and ability to think strategically.
• Willingness/ability to travel to locations and live in challenging environments.
• Experience in working collaboratively with the local and national government

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion

At IRC, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, physical or mental ability, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

DISABILITY INCLUSION

As part of our commitment to disability inclusion, we want to ensure that your interview experience is as comfortable and accessible as possible. Please let us know if you require any assistance for the interviews, whether it be related to technology, transportation, or other specific needs. We provide a supportive and accessible environment for all candidates.

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.