Senior Project Officer

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 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 Senior Project Officer will be responsible for the overall database management for the ERICC research in Bangladesh and will specifically support designing, managing and maintaining a secure and high-quality database for in-country research. The role will support and enable high volumes of quantitative and qualitative data collected and case management across multiple waves of data collection, being systematically stored, cleaned, validated, and made accessible for analysis. This role will also contribute to the development of tools, training, and operationalization of data collection, data cleaning, analyses, and report-writing, as needed.

As part of this role, the Senior Project Officer will directly report to the Research Specialist and will closely work with the Education Coordinator, Regional Research Director- Bangladesh & Myanmar, and the Regional Education Technical Advisor-Asia.

Workstation: IRC-Bangladesh, Ukhiya Office

Line Manager: Research Specialist

Contract Length: 31st May 2027 (with possibility of extension subject to funding, program needs and performance of incumbent)

Highlights of Key Responsibilities

The Senior Project Officer will perform a variety of tasks under the project, including, but not limited to:

Database Management

• Develop and maintain a centralized database structure to support and manage longitudinal research, accounting for repeated measurements and panel data.
• Ensure operationalization and compatibility between survey tools (Commcare, Tangerine) and central databases.
• Maintain comprehensive data dictionaries and metadata documentation.
• Maintain unique identifiers for study participants to ensure accurate longitudinal study linkages.
• Ensure seamless linkages within and between multiple sources (different surveys, qualitative data, where possible) and data structures across different rounds of data collection.
• Maintain detailed documentation of datasets, including version control and change logs
• Prepare cleaned datasets for analysis for research teams

Data Quality Assurance

• Work with global and country research teams to develop, implement, and monitor procedures for data validation, cleaning, and error checking during and after data collection efforts.
• During data collection, monitor data from field teams and systematically identify inconsistencies or missing data.
• Develop automated scripts and quality checks to monitor and ensure data quality and integrity across waves of data collection.

Data Security and Compliance

• Ensure secure storage and handling of sensitive research data, including paper-based (consent forms) and digital forms of data.
• Implement data protection protocols in compliance with ethical research standards and IRC’s Data Protection Policy
• Manager user access controls and maintain audit logs

Technical Support

• Lead the development of the sampling and field plan for data collection.
• Developing and leading technical guidance and training on data collection, including the development of data collection tools, data submission processes, and workflows, including data monitoring and quality assurance protocols.
• Providing support and troubleshooting data collection (Commcare, Tangerine) and data management queries from field teams, country, and global research teams.
• Assist in organizing and facilitating enumerator training sessions.
• During data collection, support deployment, and daily management of enumerator teams.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain field activity records, data quality assurance, and monitoring logs.
• Provide regular updates to the ERICC research team on data-related and field-level progress.
• Contribute to policy briefs, reports summarizing progress, challenges, and lessons learned.

Compliance and Safeguarding

• Ensure all research activities comply with ethical research standards and IRC data protection and privacy protocols and policies.
• Support safeguarding protocols when interacting with children and vulnerable populations.

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 3-4 years of progressive experience in data management for MEAL, research studies, field research, surveys, learning assessments, and/or relevant practice.
• Proficiency in database management systems (Access, SQL, MySQL).
• Proficiency in statistical analysis software (R, Stata, SPSS) for data management and cleaning.
• Experience with digital data collection tools (eg, Kobo Toolbox, SurveyCTO, Commcare, Tangerine, ODK)
• Experience with managing large datasets across multiple research phases.
• Experience leading data collection (quantitative) and field supervision.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and to work with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, particularly in managing research projects with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Flexible, ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and work well under pressure in a fast-paced team environment.
• Experience working in humanitarian or education programs preferred.
• Interest in and ability to think ahead and plan at the ‘big picture’ level.
• Fluency in English and Bangla required. Fluency in Rohingya, Chittagonian or Burmese is desirable.
• Ability to work in a diverse and multicultural team and environment.
• 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

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in statistics, data science, computer science, information systems, economics, education or related field with relevant experience.

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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