Research Manager

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.

Job Summary

The IRC is looking for a self-motivated person with good experience in research that will be responsible for the management and day-to-day implementation of the research project. Based in Aweil, she/he will be working under the technical guidance of the principal investigator, Program Manager and support from rest of the research team to ensure the project is implemented in accordance with the project requirements. The research manager while implementing the participatory photovoice study on empowerment, equity, and resilience in reproductive health in rural South Sudan, will engage closely with the government and Ministry of Health officials, and other relevant stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Work closely with the Principal Investigator, Research coordinator and Project Manager to execute the research project including:

• Adapt the study protocol, tools, and consent scripts to the South Sudan context (language, cultural norms, SRH sensitivities); oversee translation and back-translation of tools, consent forms, and participant-facing materials
• Train and onboard facilitators on the protocol, data collection tools (FGDs, IDIs, KIIs), and ethical conduct with minors; lead facilitator debriefs and reflexivity exercises
• Oversee implementation of the research project; supervise and mentor the Research Officer and facilitators; conduct ongoing protocol-fidelity checks (observe sessions, review transcripts) and document protocol deviations for the PI
• Lead external engagement: local PI, MOH, district health teams, clinic gatekeepers, WISH project team, and CP stakeholders
• Provide technical supervision of the facilitators (strengths: language, behavioural science, SRH and qualitative research experience
• Oversee the informed consent process; ensure adherence to research protocols, ethical standards, timelines, and deliverables.
• Oversight of the data management system and confidentiality procedures
• Risk mitigation oversight: manage breach-of-confidentiality, psychological, and social/stigma risks identified in the protocol; escalate safeguarding issues; liaise with the IRC security focal point; coordinate the IRC IRB on-call process when in the field
• Hold weekly team meetings; maintain a project risk and issues log; troubleshoot protocol-implementation issues and document decisions
• Provide technical oversight across photovoice workshops, Cross-Group Dialogues, indicator development, and Delphi validation processes.
• Co-lead analysis, reporting, and dissemination planning; co-lead the Delphi survey implementation
• Co-lead on the production of technical reports, presentations, policy briefs, and final study outputs.
• Ensure research findings are translated into practical recommendations for family planning programming, monitoring, and policy.

Communication

• Provide weekly updates on progress of the research by email to PI and larger oversight team.
• Report to the Principal Investigator any concerns during the study in a prompt and transparent manner to troubleshoot.
• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Grant & Budget Management

• Prepare and maintain/update detailed work plan(s) that support and achieve the project's activities and spending within the grant timeline.
• Manage/monitor monthly expenditures and track budgets to ensure that all spending is in line with approved budgets and timelines, including developing procurement plans, monthly program spending plan and cash forecasts.
• Assure appropriate and timely spending of grants to achieve program goals, grant reporting contributions, use and distribution of supplies and resources.
• Participate in the organized Project implementation and closing meeting as the organizational PCM processes.

Essential qualifications and experience

• Educational background related to public health, social science or other relevant fields. Advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum of five years in the field of sexual and reproductive health or related programs, health research, or health M&E.

• Preference highly for participatory methodology

• Demonstrated experience working with women and/or vulnerable community groups in South Sudan or a similar context

• Familiarity with the study communities and local social structures, including clan dynamics and community leadership

• Experience working on reproductive health, gender-based violence, or women’s empowerment preferred

• Prior experience with photovoice, participatory action research, or visual methods

• Experience with qualitative data collection tools including audio recorders and tablets

Desired Experiences & Competencies

• Supportive attitude and passion toward women and girls (right to access to sexual and reproductive health services).

• Experience in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights related research or programs.

• Data collection, entry, and quality management experience in low resource settings

• Good spoken and written communication in English

• Excellent computer literacy.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Gender sensitivity: Deep understanding of gender dynamics in the study context

• Ethical conduct: have undergone Human Subjects Research Ethics training (e.g. NIH, CITI, or equivalent)

• Cultural competence: Ability to adapt research methods to locally meaningful norms without distorting the research intent

• Confidentiality: Rigorous adherence to data protection and confidentiality

Additional Experiences & Competencies

• Experience with qualitative and quantitative analysis skills

• Experience with technical report writing, research documentation, research communication

• Experience of working in networks and building strong working relationships with a range of stakeholders

• Experience in policy, advocacy and stakeholder engagements related to SRHR

• Fluent in written and spoken English required, knowledge of local language is study implementation area preferred.

• Experience with data management and analysis software.

Desired Qualities

• Communication and interpersonal skills for collaborative teamwork, effective networking, and stakeholder engagement
• Methodical and efficient approach to work, balancing the research, technical and project management aspects of the role.
• Willingness to learn and gain new skills for efficiency and growth in the role o Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Principal Investigator (Health Researcher) with dotted line reporting to Program Manager.

Internal and/or external contacts:

• Senior Health Coordinator, Senior MCH Coordinator, DM&E Coordinator, WISH and Research iHub team, Health Policy & Advocacy Manger.

The IRC Core Values and Commitments:

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. 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 the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti- Retaliation.

Safeguarding and PSEA policy: The IRC has a zero-tolerance policy for safeguarding/PSEA violations by staff, incentive workers, visitors, sub-grantees, suppliers/sub-contractors, and implementing partners. Safeguarding/PSEA at the IRC is an integral to the organizational values and ethics, and staff and associates are expected to take all reasonable steps to prevent the sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment of any person linked to the program by both its employees and any downstream partner. The successful candidate will be subject to a thorough background check and satisfactory references. Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC. Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies. IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients

Narrowing the Gender Gap: The International Rescue Committee 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 a flexible hour (when possible), maternity leave, transportation support, and gender-sensitive security protocols.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants

because of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age,

marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

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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