Research Officer - Learning and Development

OVERVIEW OF IMPACT

Created in 2010, IMPACT Initiatives is a Geneva-based NGO and the largest independent data provider in contexts of crisis. We aim to support a range of stakeholders in making better, more informed decisions in humanitarian, stabilisation, and development settings. We believe that a key pathway to better planning and decision-making is direct engagement with local communities and their leaders. Through our team of assessment, data, geospatial, and thematic specialists, we promote the design of people-centred research and set standards for collecting and analysing rigorous, high-quality data in complex environments. For more information visit : www.impact-initiatives.org

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are currently looking for a Research Officer – Learning & Development to join IMPACT’s global Research Department in Geneva, Switzerland.

Position :           Research Officer - Learning & Development (L&D)

Department :    Research

Supervisor :        Senior Research Manager – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)

Duration :           Open-ended

Start date :         January 2025

Location :          Geneva, Switzerland

Deadline to apply : 11th December 2024

The overall objective of IMPACT’s global Research Department is to ensure all IMPACT research cycles are meeting / exceeding internal standards, wider academic research standards and overall research ethics in the research methods, data processing / analysis, data interpretation / visualisation and research reporting practices being used. To help achieve this objective, the Research Officer (L&D), under the supervision of the Sr. MEL Manager, will contribute towards the design and implementation of IMPACT’s research-specific capacity building initiatives, including the maintenance and expansion of the internal Research Foundational Learning Programme, and other future research-related capacity building solutions within IMPACT. Additionally, to contribute towards strengthening research and analysis skills within the wider humanitarian sector, he / she will also support with the roll-out of IMPACT’s first massive open online course (MOOC) for external audiences, as well as the design and development of similar initiatives in the future.

CORE TASKS

Lead on the maintenance and expansion of IMPACT’s internal Research Foundational Learning Programme (FLP), including :

Incorporating user feedback and improving the content and delivery of existing content

Designing new content for guidance / topics not covered in Version 1

Conducting regular (quarterly or bi-annual) monitoring of the FLP and summarising key takeaways and action points to continuously improve the effectiveness and overall learning outcomes of the programme

Providing any other support needed to ensure timely roll-out, and successful uptake, of the FLP

Contribute to the development of more advanced research-related learning materials to enable the roll-out of IMPACT’s (forthcoming) Capacity Building strategy and related Competency Framework.

Support with the roll-out of IMPACT’s first massive open online course (MOOC) for external audiences, aimed at strengthening quantitative research and analysis skills within the humanitarian sector, including :

ADDITIONAL TASKS (ON AN AD-HOC, BY NEED BASIS)

Contribute to capitalisation of best practices / lessons learned for increased research quality within IMPACT

Contribute to the development of new source materials (guidelines, tools, etc.) for the expansion of IMPACT’s Research Toolkit and support with their roll-out and uptake at the country level

Support Sr. MEL Manager with the design and development of other relevant external learning activities, with a specific focus on 1) transparency / knowledge sharing around lessons learned from IMPACT’s research cycles and 2) integrating emerging best practices and innovative methods / techniques within IMPACT’s research approaches

Provide other support for the implementation of IMPACT projects / research cycles as directed, including review and validation support for key research outputs from specific regional and / or thematic areas of support (up to 25% only i.e. 1 day per week)

REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED

Qualifications & work Experience

Good academic qualifications, including a Master’s degree or higher in relevant discipline (e.g. Social Science, International Development, Communications, Education, etc.)

At least 2-3 years of experience with designing and implementing trainings and other learning solutions for adult professional audiences, preferably within the humanitarian or development sector

Demonstrable experience of using a blended learning approach to maximise learning outcomes for adult learners in professional settings

Technical knowledge & skills

Good understanding of research methods within the field of social sciences, including pros, cons and applicability of different methods

Good understanding of the existing best practices, tools and technologies in learning and instructional design for adult learning and education

Intermediate-advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, especially PowerPoint and relevant add-ons

Language skills

Fluency in English

Other soft skills

Commitment to acting professionally, while operating with transparency and taking responsibility for actions

Commitment towards personal and professional growth through learning, creative thinking and openness to feedback

Ability to manage time effectively and thrive in a fast paced, results-oriented working environment

Ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with others, internally and externally

Attention to detail and commitment to delivering results on time, and to a high standard of quality

DESIRED

Qualifications & work Experience

At least 2-3 years of experience in a research or analyst role, ideally in humanitarian / development contexts

Prior experience in implementing primary research projects in field settings from start to finish (e.g. needs assessments, monitoring and evaluation)

Technical knowledge & skills

Good working knowledge of and experience with Articulate 360 (or similar e-learning course authoring software)

Prior experience managing / working with an online learning management platform (e.g. Talent LMS)

Prior experience with video editing software, including Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe audition

Language skills

Fluency in French and / or Spanish

Other soft skills

Ability to work cooperatively with others from a diversity of backgrounds, engaging effectively internally and externally.

Ability to work independently, with initiative, while taking a solutions-oriented approach

Ability to use analytical and critical thinking to form sound judgments and inform evidence-based decisions

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

For this position, gross salary between 5’150 CHF and 5’350 CHF monthly (before income tax). NB - IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary grid depending on the grade of the position and the level of education and experience of staff. A contribution to medical insurance of 520 CHF per month is already included in the salary figure.

Insurance covering professional and non-professional accidents throughout the period of employment with IMPACT

Health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance in case of field visits / temporary deployments

Enrolment in IMPACT Initiatives Research Foundational Learning Programme within the first 3 months from the start of contract.

Applicants must hold a valid work permit for Switzerland or be EU / EFTA citizens

Up to 40% of remote work on a weekly basis