WPE / GBV Research Liaison Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC began working in South Sudan in 1989. South Sudan declared independence in July 2011 following decades of brutal civil war rooted in disputes over religion, ethnicity, resources, governance and self-determination. The security situation remains fragile and testing operational challenges abound. IRC-South Sudan operates a country office in Juba, and field offices in Lakes, Unity, Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Central Equatoria states. Currently, IRC South Sudan implements programs in primary health care, community case management, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection and access to justice and livelihoods.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The WPE Research Officer is the focal point for all WPE research and evaluation projects conducted in South Sudan.  Three research projects are currently being conducted in South Sudan, and other projects are anticipated.  The Research Officer is responsible to coordinate activities among the different research partners including administrative and logistical needs, facilitate communication among the different stakeholders, support reporting on deliverables, organize workshops and learning sessions to share and discuss research findings.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordination
  • Manage all information and contact requests between the South Sudan country  program, the What Works Project Team, external research teams, and South Sudan partners
  • Plan and organize work sessions (including Skype calls) among different partners involved in the research projects and support and coordinate preparatory arrangements of work sessions to ensure that the agendas, minutes, research briefings, and all necessary information is prepared and disseminated to participants.
• Facilitation
  • Facilitate establishment of Technical Advisory Groups (TAG), including coordinating and organizing initial orientation, and follow-up meetings
  • Schedule appointments/meetings and follow up on agreed actions with identified stakeholders including Advisory group members, South Sudan research consortium members and research team
  • Manage administrative tasks for the research projects including all research study mission travel, accommodation, pre-arrival and in-country assistance
  • Maintain positive and productive working relationships with staff, research partners and other community-based partners IRC works with in South Sudan.
• Information and Knowledge Management
  • Prepare, implement, and monitor monthly workplans for the South Sudan project
  • Compile, manage, and disseminate relevant information – including current maps, assessments, and other reports germane to research aims
  • Maintain  complete files on all research projects
  • Create monthly update newsletter (one to two page) to share with stakeholders
  • Produce monthly research briefs that can be used to inform advocacy and programming strategies.
• Other duties as required by supervisor.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Required Competencies
  • MA degree in relevant discipline
  • Demonstrated experience producing reports and meeting minutes
  • Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and execute multiple tasks in a fast paced enviorment with minimum supervision
  • Experience conducting or coordinating research projects.
  • Demonstrated ability to use social media and a range of presentational platforms
  • Flexibility aand ability to work under pressure
  • Able to communicate and work well with partners
• Preferred
  • Knowledge of Gender based violence and  gender issues in conflict;
  • Experience working in resource poor contexts
  • Experience with community-based and/or participatory research projects

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Juba is in security phase orange. The situation in the country in general is calm but remains tense and unpredictable; concerns include criminality, presence of armed troops, and looting. There is active conflict in many parts of the country and a possibility for further expansion of the conflict and violence into other areas and other states.
• The position is based in Juba, South Sudan. Sleeping accommodation is in IRC Guest House with travel to States as necessary where accommodation will be at IRC sites. The sites have electricity and internet at least several hours per day. Food is the individual’s responsibility.  This is an unaccompanied post.
• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.