Seefar is seeking a mid-level Research Lead with demonstrated experience in conflict affected developing countries and a strong interest in migration, modern slavery and/or livelihoods. As Research Lead you will manage primary source mixed methods research projects and research teams, analyse qualitative and quantitative data, write reports and produce insights for projects and donors globally. As well as being an experienced researcher with high quality technical capacities you will also have exceptional English writing skills and possess strong donor/client engagement skills. You can be based anywhere in the world, some travel will be required, COVID-19 dependent. 

This is a 12 month, full-time, consultancy position with a salary range of EUR 5000-5600 per month.

Job Description

We are a social enterprise with a mission to work with vulnerable people to build a better future. We specialise in justice, migration and social inclusion. Our expertise is in strategic communications, counselling, consulting, monitoring and evaluation, and research. We work in East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, East Africa, North Africa, the Sahel and Europe. For more information about us, please visit the About page.

To get a sense of the services we specialise in at Seefar, please visit the Services page. To get a sense of the strategic communications activity we specialise in at Seefar, please visit this link. You can also see examples of the research we specialise in at Seefar here but note the bulk of our research is unpublished.

For examples of projects relevant to this position, please visit Migration, Displaced People and Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery.

The role requires someone with:

• At least eight years experience in research assignments and consultancies, ideally focused on irregular migration, protection and development programming;
• Experience in delivering research from the design through delivery, analsis and reporting phases (including development of research questions and appropriate data collection methods as well as production of written final reports);
• Strong analytical skills and a track record of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis (including knowledge of Stata (or similar) and Atlas.to (or similar))
• Experience managing primary source mixed methods research projects;
• Strong donor/client engagement skills;
• Experiencing managing field teams;
• Proficiency in spoken and written English;
• Effective prioritisation and organisational skills, with an ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision;
• Outstanding attention to detail;
• Interpersonal skills and an ability to coordinate with teams;
• Preferably thematic expertise in migration, modern slavery and/or livelihoods.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The following are the primary responsibilities of the role, with estimated allocations of time and attention.

DELIVER: Capabilities and Program Portfolio

Approximately 80% of your time and attention will be spent:

• Supporting and guiding teams to advance our mission and deliver projects.
• Designing mixed methods research projects and liaise with donors to ensure alignment and accurate scoping of research projects.
• Ensuring field research is conducted to acceptable quality standards and supervise or conduct training where required.
• Analysing mixed methods research outputs using software where required, and produce high quality reports and presentations.
• Designing research tools such as discussion guides and questionnaires to high technical standards.
• Visualising or tasking the visualisation of data, including through the use of software.
• Ensuring donor needs are met and expectations exceeded where possible.
• Managing project teams and research team personnel.
• Conducting other tasks as required.

DEVELOP: CAPABILITIES AND PROGRAM PORTFOLIO

Approximately 10% of your time and attention will be spent:

• Supporting Seefar to develop the capabilities and processes of the Research Team. For example, this would include mentoring staff and leading recruitment.
• Strengthening Seefar’s research reputation and profile in our areas of interest.
• Conducting fundraising for Seefar. Build and maintain contacts and networks with potential supporters. This includes identifying new opportunities and creating new projects, as well as supporting existing fundraising activity.

DIRECT: GLOBAL MANAGEMENT

Approximately 10% of your time and attention will be spent:

• Representing and demonstrating the Enterprise’s values.
• Cooperating with other areas of Seefar, including to communicate substantive and administrative information that supports corporate management overall. For example, this would include ensuring effective internal reporting at the project and program level.

Working with Seefar

Current and former personnel have noted the points below as positive features of Seefar’s work environment and culture:

• The Enterprise combines entrepreneurialism with a focus on social impact.
• You work with highly diverse people and across a diversity of contexts.
• There is a high level of trust that supports you to work autonomously.
• The people in the Enterprise encourage innovation and experimentation.
• Achieving results is prioritised over rigid structures and workflows.
• You are never bored and always challenged.

Current and former personnel have noted the points below as negative features of Seefar’s work environment and culture:

• Collaborating with geographically dispersed teams requires flexibility and patience.
• Working remotely can make you feel isolated and so requires you to invest time in communication.
• Travel schedules can sometimes be heavy.
• A high-growth phase means problem-solving as the Enterprise’s systems evolve quickly.
• It can be fast paced so you need to be productive and able to prioritise effectively.

An Excellent Candidate

To excel in this role, you will start with extensive experience working as a researcher, preferably with familiarity on issues such as migration, modern slavery and/or livelihoods. Your technical research and writing skills are excellent and you have the ability to lead research projects and produce high quality products. Your excellent donor/client management skills allow you to scope projects in alignment with donor needs and produce outputs that meet expectations. You are highly organised, have the ability to prioritise and are highly productive. You have a track record of supervising others effectively and enjoy mentoring and developing others. You will be motivated by an Enterprise performance framework focused on social impact.

To apply for this Role

On or before 14th February 2021, complete our online application form. Before you start, you should do the following:

• Confirm you meet these minimum requirements:
  • Advanced technical research skills and experience;
  • Exceptional English writing skills;
  • Excellent donor/client engagement skills;
  • Effective prioritisation skills and you are highly productive.
• Prepare a CV in Word or PDF format. You will upload this to our online application form.
• In Word or PDF format, prepare an introductory letter that includes only the points below. You will upload this to our online application form.
  • One to three paragraphs describing your technical skill set and examples of projects where you have used it as well as  how these connect to our thematic issues of interest.
  • One to two paragraphs describing a research project (research questions and instruments) looking into the connection between irregular migration and development programming in a country of your choice.
• In Word or PDF format, attach an example of a research assignment you have recently completed and written yourself. You will upload this to our online application form.