Research Manager – Education

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.

Program Brief

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 solution driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people worldwide for a better future.

Since 2017, IRC has supported Rohingya Refugees and Bangladeshi nationalities communities in Cox's Bazar, Khulna, Barisal, and Chittagong with integrated services. The organization also addresses climate change impacts by building resilience and promoting economic recovery, education, and protection.

Purpose of the Role

The Research Manager – Education (Qualitative) position will be the in-country lead for the design and implementation of a qualitative research study examining the community political economy of learning among Rohingya communities in Cox’s Bazar. The role will focus on generating actionable evidence and insights on social norms, power dynamic, decision-making processes and community governance structures shaping learner’s engagement and service delivery within the camps- particularly for marginalized groups like adolescent girls and children with disabilities. The role will generate in-depth, contextually grounded insights into formal and informal institutions, decision-making processes and the incentives to influence key actors, including government, education Sector and community stakeholders. The role involves strong experience and understanding of qualitative methodologies and political economy research experience, as well as experience working in refugee communities and complex, sensitive, humanitarian contexts with a true understanding of and commitment to addressing power hierarchies in these settings. The Research Manager - Education position works closely with the Senior Project Officer- Database Management to support field teams and researchers (in-country and global teams) to ensure data production, management and analyses are executed to high standards. The Research Manager – Education directly reports to the Research Specialist and will work closely with the Education Coordinator, Regional Research Director and Regional Education Technical Advisor.

Workstation: IRC-Bangladesh, Ukhiya Office

Line Manager: Senior Manager – Basic Education

Contract Length: 1 Year (with possibility of extension subject to funding, program needs and performance of incumbent)

Highlights of Key Responsibilities

The Research Manager - Education will perform a variety of tasks in leading the research activities including, but not limited to:

Study Design and Methodology

• Lead the design of a community-based, participatory qualitative research study framework, including: 1) power and influence mapping; 2) social norms diagnostics (descriptive and injunctive norms); 3) community governance mapping.
• Develop tools using participatory, community-based, culturally appropriate methods that are inclusive of all learners (gender, adolescents, learners with disabilities), caregivers, community leaders and representatives.

Data Collection

• Recruit, train and supervise Rohingya community researchers on qualitative research methods, ethics, facilitation skills and to carry out the field work and data collection efforts to understand power structures using reflective practice addressing historical power imbalances.
• Set up, support and actively engage the Rohingya Research Reference group, which will serve as a community-based research advisory group, comprised of learners, teachers and community members, to consult on the research study design, validation and dissemination of study findings.
• Oversee data collection across multiple camps ensuring clear protocols for quality data collection, facilitation and documentation of data and the data collection process.
• Facilitate the process of data transcription and translation (from Rohingya to English) for analyses
• Ensure adherence to ethical research standards (informed consent, data confidentiality) and clear quality assurance mechanisms (field debriefs, spot checks, data validation processes)

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Plan and conduct an iterative analysis approach to synthesize findings, emerging patterns and hypotheses for validation
• Set up community validation workshops to present findings and build consensus on the evidence generation process and final output
• Draft the analyses in the form of tangible research outputs (research reports, power and influence maps, guidance notes and policy briefs etc) to further feedback to the program team to inform program design, prototype development of community-based models for improving education service delivery.

Dissemination and linking Evidence to Action

• Work closely with the IRC-Education program team to translate research insights into practical interventions and to inform the design and evaluation of pilot solutions for further testing, while ensuring research informs norm-sensitive approaches, community-engagement strategies and inclusion of marginalized groups.
• Contribute to sector-level learning, validation and uptake process through the dissemination and presentation of findings to the Education Sector Working Group, implementation partners, donors and coordination platforms, as needed or relevant.

Coordination and Collaboration

• Lead coordination with education sector partners, government authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure aligned and smooth implementation of qualitative research activities.
• Manage and secure all necessary approvals for data collection, including camp access, enumerator recruitment, and compliance with ethical standards.
• Coordinate planning and execution of qualitative data collection, including scheduling, logistics, and supervision of field teams.
• Align and standardize qualitative research tools, methodologies, and data quality assurance processes across partners and teams.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between research, program, and MEAL teams, including dissemination and utilization of findings.

Others

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Experience and Competencies: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience in qualitative research in humanitarian or development settings.
• Strong experience in social norms research, participatory and community-based research, gender and inclusion.
• Experience working in humanitarian or crisis-affected contexts is desirable
• Experience managing field teams and large-scale qualitative research studies.
• Expertise in qualitative research methods, including focus group discussions, key informant interviews, participatory tools, and ethnographic or longitudinal approaches.
• Experience with power analyses/political economy analyses or social norms frameworks
• Strong facilitation and interpersonal skills
• Ability to navigate sensitive political and cultural dynamics
• Excellent writing and communications skills
• Flexible, independent, self-motivating, ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and work under pressure.
• Fluent in English and Bangla; fluent in Rohingya, Chittagonian, or Burmese is a plus.
• Interest and ability to work and be based in Cox’s Bazar.
• Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.

Specific Educational Qualification

• Master’s degree in education, social sciences, anthropology, development studies, or related fields

Professional Degree/ Certification

• N/A

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. In accordance with these values the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding (including PSEAH, Adult Safeguarding and Child Safeguarding), Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti Retaliation.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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