Country: Kyrgyzstan
Closing date: 16 May 2017
Background on ACTED
Since 1993, as an international non-governmental organization, ACTED has been committed to immediate humanitarian relief to support those in urgent need and protect people’s dignity, while co-creating longer term opportunities for sustainable growth and fulfilling people’s potential. ACTED endeavors to respond to humanitarian crises and build resilience; promote inclusive and sustainable growth; co-construct effective governance and support the building of civil society worldwide by investing in people and their potential. We go the last mile: ACTED’s mission is to save lives and support people in meeting their needs in hard to reach areas. With a team of 4,300 national staff 300 international staff, ACTED is active in 35 countries and implements more than 450 projects a year reaching over 11 million beneficiaries.
Country profile
ACTED has been active in Kyrgyzstan since 2000, and operates in the Jalalabat, Osh, Batken, and Naryn regions with a staff of over 150 people. ACTED in Kyrgyzstan contributes to poverty reduction by decreasing the impact of the world recession through adding value to labour migration, improving the food security of vulnerable people, supporting local initiatives for development, reducing the risks to natural disasters to decrease socio-economic damage and resolving cross border conflicts for stable socio-economic development.
In June 2010, a violent crisis broke out in the Ferghana valley, Southern Kyrgyzstan, whereby close to 1,900 houses were burnt and approximately 400,000 people were displaced. Following a year of providing predominantly emergency assistance, 2011 has seen ACTED Kyrgyzstan continue to give emergency aid while also assisting in the recovery phase of the country’s development. This has included involvement in health, education, and economic development – partly concerning food distributions and housing constructions for those whose homes were lost. Throughout, ACTED has supported the humanitarian agencies with REACH – an online interactive mapping tool that incorporates socioeconomic data and highlights potential sources of disputes.
Today, ACTED continues the shift from emergency and reconstruction towards peace-building, conflict mitigation, Disaster Risk Reduction and long term development working with local communities.
Position profile
Under the supervision of the country director, the Research and Development Project EU Volunteer is responsible for the design, implementation, analysis and reporting of research studies, impact assessments, and research-based projects for ACTED Kyrgyzstan. These findings will inform ACTED Kyrgyzstan’s development agenda and build an evidence-base for the relevance and impact of ACTED programmes in the country.
S/he will write literature reviews, briefing papers and full reports for external publication. Moreover, S/he will present research findings to relevant stakeholders, including working groups, national advisory councils, government, donors, INGOs and partners.
The position will involve travelling to data collection sites to conducting key informant interviews, strengthening the capacity of local research teams and supporting data quality control.
1. Design and lead the development of proposals for assessment and research projects
Identify gaps in evidence based programming in relevant Kyrgyzstan programming (humanitarian, development aid and approaches) and develop research proposals in line with these.
Coordinate with international and national actors on research ideas to avoid overlap and ensure research is relevant and addresses gaps in current knowledge and practices.
Provide oversight and research design to the Project Development team during the drafting phase of new research proposals or research components of proposal, focusing on technical application (methodology, sampling) of the research project/impact evaluations as well providing input for the design of the implementation plan, budget and human resources in consultation with relevant departments.
2. Implement research projects and research components of projects
Design and manage the workplan for carrying out the research.
Directly manage AME and staff responsible for conducting field research, reviewing and follow up on quality of data collection and progress of project implementation according to set timelines.
Adapt methodology/ field plan/ sampling when required to field realities. Provide oversight of training to personnel that participate and data gathering during research projects to ensure that designated research protocols are followed.
Perform regular field visits to meet project objectives and/or for data collection according to the research design.
3. Analysis and reports
Provide in-depth statistical analysis of ACTED project activities when required, using the provided statistical analytics software, and working with relevant partners/consultants as and when required.
Based on research analysis, develop quality English research briefings, literature reviews and full research reports.
4. Internal coordination
Organize internal coordination meetings on a monthly basis to review progress and mitigate issues that arise in field research.
Ensure Project Management Framework is updated and reported every month to internal head of departments and coordination.
5. External Relations
Act as key ACTED representative on research and development in Kyrgyzstan. Participate in and report (internally) on relevant technical and sectoral meetings and working groups involving all relevant stakeholders such as donors, NGOs, UN Agencies, inter-governmental institutions.
Ensure effective coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders and partners, i.e. NGOs, civil society organizations, community groups, and government counterparts who are active in the relevant research sectors in Kyrgyzstan. Identify opportunities to collaborate and coordinate efforts with other organizations to ensure our activities build upon - rather than replicate - the work of others.
Communicate timely to research partners and donor of challenges faced in the field and resulting changes (methodology, timeline, budget, etc.).
6. External communications
Present research study proposals to relevant donors to seek approval for funding and to bring awareness to key sectors for intervention.
Present research findings based on analysis and reports to relevant stakeholders, including working groups, national advisory councils, government, donors, INGOs and partners.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in humanitarian studies / Political Science / M&E / Project Development
• Fluent English (written and spoken), excellent writing and communication skills;
• Prior work experience with an INGO in the agriculture and/or rural development sector
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment;
• Good organisational and prioritisation skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office;
• Design and execution of qualitative and quantitative research
• Ability to conduct quality analysis of qualitative and quantitative data
• Ability to conduct and write literature reviews, briefings and full research reports.
• Strong communication skills to present findings to external stakeholders
Conditions
EU Volunteer benefits include: subsistence allowances (330.02 euros per month), coverage of all accommodation in the ACTED guesthouse, travel costs, a luggage allowance of 100 kg, provision of medical, repatriation, and life insurance, reimbursement of visas and vaccinations costs, and resettlement allowance.
How to apply:
Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV to jobs@acted.org
Ref : R&DEUAV/KYR