Research Officer – Porridge Mum Study at Action Against Hunger Nigeria

Action Against Hunger is the world’s hunger specialist and leader in a global movement that aims to end life-threatening hunger for good within our lifetimes. For 40 years, the humanitarian and development organization has been on the front lines, treating and preventing hunger across nearly 50 countries. It served more than 21 million people in 2018 alone.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Research Officer – Porridge Mum Study

Location: Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria
Job Type: Full Time
Department: Programmes – FSL
Level: Mid Level
Starting date: As Soon As Possible
Direct Line Manager: Senior Project Manager

Objective 1

• Ensure an effective management of planned Porridge Mum research activities under the FFP grant

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• To conduct a desk review of the Porridge Mum initiative using previously collected data as well as understanding approaches used by other partners in Nigeria and at the global scale.
• Ensuring that Porridge Mum Study is planned in line with relevant project objectives and with AAH/donor or other relevant guidelines
• Dévelopment of ToR, tool and survey instruments/protocols, data collection and define research schedules for the study.
• Manage the assigned Porridge Mum research in order to meet the project objectives within budget and the allotted time frame and report promptly any operational concerns
• Lead Porridge Mum Study and creation of training modules for all stakeholders involved in the project to build the capacity of everyone involved in the project.
• Ensure accurate reporting of activities according to AAH and donors guidelines.

Objective 2

• Ensure appropriate staff management including staff development programmes for the AAH teams

Tasks ad Responsibilities:

• Design and ensure they are reviewed and validated by the Sector Manager before any data collection begins
• Under the supervision of the Sector Manager, engage in the dissemination of research products, including through meetings, presentations etc in line with AAH communication guidelines
• Ensure that lessons learned are collated and documented at the end of the study
• Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing between project staff, to ensure all staff members are aware of current work plans and to provide the opportunity for feedback

Objective 3

• Ensure effective logistic support as well as quality management

Tasks ad Responsibilities:

• Review overall project logistic plans and budgeting for field activities associated donor requirements and provide guidance.
• Keep track of progress and delays of all assigned task throughout the study cycle. Ensure that delays are identified and challenges for specific tasks are reported in writing in a timely manner.
• Ensure that ToRs are understood and used by enumerators and updated as required.
• Coordinate external partners and internal teams during data collection.
• Support in organizing and facilitating joint analysis workshops, as applicable.
• Ensure that required enumerators are identified and trained for primary data collection
• Monitor data collection, ensuring its correct implementation in line with agreed ToRs
• Ensure logistics, financial, administration, security and HR processes directly related to Porridge Mum Study have been appropriately implemented and with the relevant AAH departments.
• The Research Officer will liaise on day-to-day management of project and field staff both directly and remotely.
• He/she is expected to guide and direct workplans related to the study. The Research Officer will ensure that all field teams are comprehensively briefed on the objective, expected outputs and that the overall implementation strategy of any given activity is clearly understood.
• Support the logistics activities of the research activities particularly in relation to the procurement of data collection equipment.
• Support the implementation of the FFP monitoring systems and record keeping methods that support routine data collection, analysis and reporting in line with the organization and donor expectations.

Objective 4

• Ensure effective logistic support as well as quality management

Tasks ad Responsibilities:

• The Research Officer is responsible for consolidating all analyses and conclusions from the study into narrative reports and AAH products such as factsheets, reports and briefs using standard formats.
• The Research Officer is responsible for following the designated timeline of reports to be submitted to the Sector Manager. He/she must ensure the writing of timely and accurate study reports and factsheets, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information provided as well as the confidentiality and protection of collected information.
• He/she will ensure that Study reports contribute to aid coordination and planning and add to the general base of field knowledge on Porridge Mum
• Ensure the writing of timely and accurate Study reports and factsheets, which comply with AAH’s guidelines;
• Supporting the development/revision of study/programme strategies, reports or new proposals.
• In coordination with the Sector Manager, external representation of AAH with Donors, Partners and the wider Aid Community through clusters and sectoral working groups

Objective 5

• Ensure appropriate financial management, coordination and effective communication

Tasks ad Responsibilities:

• Develop monthly budget forecast in reference to the detailed research implementation work plan
• Support the Sector Manager in drafting of relevant project narrative and reports
• Maintain oversight of budget availability and expenditure for Study activities for which you will be responsible
• Other tasks as may be requested by supervisors

Objective 6

• Performance Management

Tasks ad Responsibilities:

• Communicate with HR for necessary staff meeting, performance review, appraisals.
• Communicate Action Against Hunger performance standards and expectations to team members which includes; 10 minutes monthly conversation, 3 months/end of probation performance appraisal and annual/ end of contract appraisal.
• Conduct regular meetings with other team members especially the technical team to assess progress in the study cycle and to review work plan
• Establish performance objectives, provide feedback, identify strengths and areas for professional improvement.
• Be available to provide regular support and technical backstopping
• Contribute to the professional development and improvement of team members by providing support.

Position Requirements / Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, International Development, Statistics, Public Health, Demography or related subject, with previous experience working in humanitarian projects
• Minimum of 2 years of proven experience in the research or M&E of humanitarian or development programs.

Skills & Experience
Essential:

• 2 years’ experience in CMAM and IYCF program.
• Skilled in public health research, if possible community based nutrition research methods
• Fluency in spoken and written English language.
• Fluency in spoken northeast Nigeria local language.
• Skilled in using MS applications.
• Excellent analytical skills
• Understanding of processes involved in conducting comparative studies
• Ability to plan and organize work Independent with appropriate follow through while paying close attention to detail and can read and abstract information from a variety of formats.
• Ability to delegate and follow up of task among teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and react according to evolving context/situation.
• Able to prioritize clearly, oversee multiple tasks, set clear objectives for staff and delegate.

Preferred:

• Work experience in humanitarian settings.
• Work experience with international NGO.
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles, Sphere and HAP Standards.
• Experience of working in close collaboration with Ministry of Health is preferable.
• Creative, open-minded, flexible, self-learner. Team-player with good inter-personal skills.

Minimum Basic Salary
NGN 236,585 per Month

Application Closing Date
31st July, 2020.