Global Research (BLP ) Coordinator - Jordanian Nationals Only

Contract

This is a Professional contract, Grade 7 (NRC) contract. More about Professional contract, Grade 7 (NRC) contracts.

Background

NRC strives to ensure that all displacement-affected children 6-16 and youth 17-24 enjoy quality, safe and inclusive learning opportunities relevant to their psychosocial, emotional, and cognitive development and needs. Education offers a safe space to begin the recovery process in a predictable, secure environment where children and youth can make friends, play, relax and begin learning again. Integrating interventions targeting well-being and psychosocial support (PSS) – such as the ‘Better Learning Programme’ (BLP) – into education programming can support: i) Psychosocial protection to foster normalisation and recovery from traumatic stress; and ii) Social connectedness to support a sense of inclusion and identity.

The Better Learning Program (BLP) is a school and classroom-based, teacher-led universal psychosocial program, developed by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and UiT – the Arctic University of Norway. The programme mobilises a child’s support network of caregivers, teachers, and counsellors, encompassing a multi-layered approach to restore a sense of normality and hope using the NRC’s Framework on Child Wellbeing in Displacement5 building on the universal five essential elements of recovery (Habfoll.et al)6. The BLP builds on a decade of experience of, and lessons learned from countries (specifically Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria) where the process of mainstreaming the programme into government policies and frameworks is underway. The BLP aims to improve wellbeing and learning outcomes through increasing access to quality PSS for children and youth by training teachers in both formal and non-formal education, engagement and raising awareness with parents and other stakeholders and whenever possible, working towards mainstreaming the BLP in national education systems.

The programme has a large component of research and continuously building evidence and learning. There are three research plans, two of which this role will support.

What you will do

Generic Responsibilities:

• Adherence to NRC policies, guidance, and procedures.
• Lead the research component for global BLP.
• Support and contribute to the development and implementation of M&E systems, including M&E SOPs, guidance, and tools.
• Participate in programme design and proposal discussions, including theory of change development, log frame design and budgeting for M&E.
• Support programme staff in planning for and executing M&E, including, data collection methodology and tools and data management, analysis, and use.
• Support the implementation, dissemination and use of evaluations, assessments and monitoring data in programme development, adjustment, or review.
• Contribute to organisational learning through supporting specific analysis, lessons learned and reports.
• Capacity building and training of programme and M&E support staff on M&E technical and conceptual areas, in particular to research.
• Contribute to the design and identify research initiatives and resources needed.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the Randomized Control Trial research for the Better Learning Programme in the Middle East.
• Coordinate the qualitative research conducted by the UiT in MERO.
• Coordinate the process for obtaining research approvals in respective countries.
• Develop sampling strategies, questionnaires, data collection, data entry template, research protocols, as well as conduct data analysis and write up reports for NRC-led research.
• Support the consideration, inclusion, collection, and analysis of indicators related to BLP.
• Conduct mapping of research papers, evaluations, and other learning documents for BLP.
• Consolidate different papers results to inform BLP programming. Ensure that proper archiving mechanism is in place.
• Contribute to the identification of opportunities for research.
• Support on interpreting the research information for advocacy and communication purposes
• Promote evidence-based decision-making using the research data.
• Provide technical support during the design and development of proposals submitted to institutional donors by the GBU.
• Take part, initiate and implement capacity building activities pertaining to the BLP and M&E research and support as needed.
• Train Country Offices (COs) staff and enumerators on the research tools, techniques, and developing the standard operating procedures (SOPs)/guidelines so ensure quality, ethical, sensitivity and data protection.
• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Professional competencies, Qualifications & Skills required

• At least 3 years of experience in research and preferably with randomized control group trials methodologies
• At least 5 years’ experience in an international NGO preferably in an emergency or post-conflict setting, including Research and M&E capacity and systems development
• Thorough experience with and knowledge of principles and current approaches to monitoring and evaluation in relief and development programs, using both quantitative and qualitative methods
• Understanding of data and information needs for program management and decision making
• Experience in facilitating the capacity building efforts of diverse colleagues, including local partner agencies
• Ability to operate within remote working environment and familiar with conduct activities and research remotely in particular within the Middle East context
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring and other formal and non-formal methods
• Advanced English and Arabic language proficiency (speaking, reading, writing)
• Excellent analytical, statistical and computer skills, including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access) and advanced excel skills in particular
• Good command and familiarity with using SPSS, STATA, Epi Info, or R

Behavioural Competencies

• Planning and delivering results
• Working with people
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Analysing
• Handling insecure environments

What We Offer

NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.

We offer an opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause and a chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply and join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take initiative.

We are also looking for people who share our values:

• To be dedicated in what we do;
• To be innovative with our solutions;
• To act as one unified and inclusive team;
• To be accountable to the donors that make our work possible; the people we exist to serve, and to each other… the members of our NRC family.

Additional information:

Grade: Grade 7

Reports to : Global BLP M&E Specialist, with a technical line to Regional M&E Manager (MERO)

Duty station: Amman, Jordan

Travel : 40% within Areas of Operation for Middle East Office

Duration and type of contract: Jordanian National Fixed-Terms Contract till 31 Dec 2023 with possibility of extension (subject to funding availability, business need, and satisfactory performance)

Salary: Based Upon NRC salary Scale for Jordanians’ national staff.

PS: This position is open for Jordanian Nationality Holders only.

more detailed information, find the detailed Research Coordinator (BLP) - MERO (Amman) - 2023-02.pdf

We invite applications from all qualified and interested candidates. Send in your application by latest March 16, 2023.

Please ensure you attach CV , Cover letter & copies of your academic and professional certificates.

ABOUT US

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. We work in crises across more than 31 countries, providing emergencies and long-term assistance to millions of people every year. We stand up for people forced to flee, advocating their rights. NORCAP, our global provider of expertise, helps improve international and local ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from crises. NRC also runs the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre in Geneva, a global leader in reporting on and advocating for people displaced within their own country.

Employment with NRC may lead to employment in or deployment to Regions, Countries, Areas or Offices that may be host to considerable health, safety and security risks. NRC takes this very seriously and we have procedures in place to reduce known risks, but will never be able to take away all risks.

NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.