Programme Specialist ( Social Sciences and Formative Research)

We're looking for a Program Specialist ( Social Sciences and Formative Research).

Key accountabilities and duties & tasks :

Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results :

1. As part of the Social Sciences Research Group, support the development the Social Sciences and Formative Research Agenda; identifying key research themes and questions based on epidemiological situation, context and existing anthropological work :

• Represent UNICEF’s research team within the SSRG as part of the Analysis Cell (under the MoH) ;
• Support the continued the situation analysis from various sources.  Provide timely, comprehensive and current data to inform Formative Research agenda, looking at epidemiological data as well as existing (and current) context, gender studies and reports
• Participate in coordination meetings on a regular basis and work with ;
• Coordinate with key actors to ensure monitoring and evaluation of research recommendations and followed up and impact evaluations are designed and implemented ;
• Work with program managers, colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies for the formative research agenda  ;
• Support research team in proposals toward agenda; identifying and area-specific needs.

2. Support the management and capacity building of the UNICEF Social Sciences and Formative Research team, ensuring technical guidance, coordination with other programme teams :

• Support the management of national and international teams within the SSRG ;
• Develop capacity building strategies and opportunities for national and international teams related to research themes, analysis, coordination etc ;
• Provide regular supervision and guidance analysis of data and identify appropriate programme-specific recommendations and action points.

3. Facilitate the coordination with the technical commissions and sub-commissions, with UNICEF programme teams and implementing partners; set up two-way information sharing and bi-directionality for research areas :

• At coordination level, ensure two-way sharing of formative research is both being led by and contributing to the direction of programmes ;
• Participate in coordination meetings with commission leads, to follow on information sharing (and presentations/ research results follow up) ;
• Create spaces for internal UNICEF reflection and adaptation for programme approaches at coordination level.

4. Review data analysis and recommendations developed by teams :

• Review data analysis and support in the development of appropriate programme recommendations ;
• Support teams in identifying gaps in results, and opportunities to compliment with additional data (external sources).

5.  Conduct mixed methods research analysis (meta-synthesis) of qualitative and quantitative data and draft technical research papers, thematic reports, public presentations and other communications materials based on research  :

• Use qualitative and quantitative research tools (including Atlas Ti) to conduct meta-synthesis of existing data, develop codes and identify key themes via anlaysis ;
• Work with field teams to support their capacity in data analysis ;
• Write comprehensive technical reports and guidance notes needed/ based on outcomes ;
• Contribute to the continued review of and analysis of existing monitoring tools and methods to oversee the impact of social sciences research within UNICEF and the Social Sciences Research Group ;
• Ensure all research papers, reports, publications (presentations) are shared via the Social Sciences Research Group for all partners

6. Support management and supervision of the innovation, knowledge management and capacity building :

• Manage to the systematic assessment of UNICEF Ebola response capacity gap analysis, in collaboration with government and other stakeholders, and support the design of initiative to strengthen capacities systematically ;
• Together with team, identify capacity building opportunities for national and international teams, implementing partners (including the ministry of health) on social sciences research ;
• Contribute  the management of database of tools and reports available for partners and UNICEF teams.

• A Master’s degree with SOCIAL SCIENCES RESEARCH experience is required : public health, epidemiology, anthropology or another relevant technical field. A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree ;
• Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement social sciences research in health is an asset ;
• At least 5 years social sciences research experience, working in humanitarian and development context (with UN-Govt-INGO) is required ;
• Experience working in public health emergencies is required ;
• Fluency in French and proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.