The Protection Research Specialist will have day-to-day responsibility for research design as well as coordination, data collection, analysis and dissemination of research findings pertaining to information on the inter-relation between protection issues – gender-based violence in particular – and economic recovery of refugees and host communities. The position holder will collaborate with DRC’s implementing teams, partners and other stakeholders to identify key research question and to support implementing teams to integrated learning and recommendations into programming. Furthermore, the Protection Research Specialist will support the Head of Program and Country Protection Coordinator to integrate research findings into organizational advocacy and to develop advocacy products.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with DRC’s MEAL and protection teams to develop and refine a theory of change for the organization’s new BPRM-funding initiative which explore the inter-relation between protection and economic recovery programming.
• Support program design and learning by conducting literature review of topics relevant to the BPRM initiative.
• In collaboration with the Head of Program and protection team, collaborate with partners and other stakeholders to identify key research question and to subsequently design and execute in-field research on key protection and economic recovery issues using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, while ensuring alignment with ethical standards.
• Organize learning workshops and present analysis and recommendations based on the research for use in both operational learning and advocacy initiatives.
• Mainstream small-scale research initiatives into DRC’s protection and economic recovery portfolio and facilitate regular learning events with implementing teams as a means to promote operational learning and program adaptation.
• Contribute to and collaborate with DRC’s MEAL team in both the further development of a MEAL framework and strategy as well as on the design of MEAL tools, especially qualitative tools, and analysis.
• Develop dissemination plans for identified research initiatives and collaborate with the Head of Program and implementing teams to develop research-related information products such as reports, charts and infographics targeting external stakeholders for the purpose of reporting, general information sharing and advocacy.
• Support implementing teams and the grants manager/specialist to contribute to donor reports.
• In coordination with DRC’s protection and MEAL teams, contribute to periodic protection program reviews and strategy sessions.
• Identify and develop relationships with potential research partners ranging from local NGOs, CSOs, academia and think tanks.
• Attend relevant coordination meetings, internally and at the inter-agency level.

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Minimum 5 years of practical experience in academic research and/or equivalent experience in protection monitoring working for an I/NGO in a humanitarian setting.
• Experience in multi-sectoral responses in protection, economic recovery (livelihoods), shelter, education, accountability and learning in a humanitarian organization.
• Experience in development of programmatic theory of change.
• Excellent qualitative and quantities analysis as well as report-writing skills.
• Experience in influencing and advocacy work including lobbying, policy development and information provision in humanitarian issues.
• Excellent knowledge of research methodologies, experience in research design and roll-out, including experience in designing data collection tools.
• Proven experience using the finding of research into advocacy tools and products.
• Ability to develop good insight and understanding of the conflict, the human rights situation and the political environment
• Analytical and strategic thinking with proven ability to create and utilize qualitative and quantitative analyses in organizational planning
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently as well as cooperatively with team members
• Full professional proficiency (written and verbal) in English;

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Psychology, Human Rights, Development Studies

Languages

• Excellent verbal and written English.

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post.