(Senior) Research Manager, Kampala

Job Description

BACKGROUND ON IMPACT AND REACH

purpose is to promote and facilitate the development of information products that enhance the humanitarian community's decision making and planning capacity for emergency, reconstruction and development contexts. REACH facilitates information management for aid actors through three complementary services: (a) need and situation assessments facilitated by REACH teams; (b) situation analysis using satellite imagery; (c) provision of related database and (web)-mapping facilities and expertise.

We are currently looking for a Research Manager to support our Ethiopia team.

Job Details

• Department: REACH
• Position: (Senior) Research Manager
• Contract duration: 11 months
• Location: Kampala, with occasional travel to Addis Abeba
• Starting Date: May 2026

Country Profile

Since 2018, Ethiopia has witnessed an escalation in unrest including large-scale displacement, killings, and destruction of property following domestic political changes. Such unrest has exacerbated the impact of climate-related crises, including the most devastating desert locust infestation in 25 years, which has damaged crops and fostered food insecurity. Then in November 2020, conflict erupted in the northern Tigray region, displacing many Ethiopians, followed by large-scale conflict in Amhara, both events contributing to millions of people needing assistance in Northern Ethiopia. Recurring climate shocks continue to destabilise parts of western and southern Ethiopia, with occurrence of natural hazard impacts spreading to more areas annually. All of these events have severely disrupted livelihoods, affected the availability of staple market commodities, and threatened to sharply escalate humanitarian need for vulnerable populations across the country.

Functions

Under the line management of the IMPACT Deputy Country Coordinator, the Research Manager is responsible for overseeing the implementation of research cycles within their unit, including the preparation, data collection, analysis, drafting, dissemination and evaluation stages. Throughout research cycles, the Research Manager engages with partners to promote their participation and maximize their impact. He/she also ensures an efficient and transparent use of resources required for project implementation. The Research Manager will lead the Sectoral Unit, managing an assortment of thematic areas including Cash and Markets, Area-based assessments, and Public Health and Nutrition; and other sectoral assessments as needed. The (S)RM will work in close collaboration with the Intersectoral unit and analysis team to ensure workstreams are interoperable and leading towards improved prioritization efforts for stakeholders operating in Ethiopia. With a strong emphasis on coordination and external engagement, this role will work to support the implementation of the humanitarian reset (ABC) in Ethiopia, through established and emerging coordination bodies.

In his/her mission, the Research Manager will be hosted by IMPACT's global partner ACTED and will fall under the direct responsibility and management of ACTED's Country Director and his/her delegates for all Administrative, Security, and relevant Logistics and Finance issues. S/he will therefore fully abide to ACTED's Security, Administration, and relevant HR, Logistics and Finance rules and regulations.

Responsibilities

Missions

IMPACT is seeking an experienced candidate, who has previously managed various teams and implemented projects in a complex humanitarian setting. The candidate should be comfortable representing IMPACT with donors and be able to coordinate and liaise with a range of senior external partners. The Research Manager (RM) will be responsible for overseeing the development and strategy of their unit, under the supervision of the IMPACT Deputy Country Coordinator and IMPACT HQ in Geneva. The position is based in Kampala, Uganda, with travel to Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.

The overall goal of the (S)RM will be to ensure the smooth running of activities, and she/he will be responsible for the implementation and completion of the various work streams within the unit. This will include line-management of international and national staff within their assigned to projects within their unit.

More specifically the Research Manager is responsible for the following:

• STAFF MANAGEMENT
• Day-to-day management of team, including the development of work plans and performance indicators, and development and implementation of capacity training plans to improve efficiency and performance;
• Take on additional work streams and management responsibilities as well as advise in strategic mission decision-making as a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) as required, in coordination with the other research managers.
• MANAGEMENT OF RESEARCH CYCLES
• Assessment Preparation and Planning
• Ensure that all Assessment Officers are comprehensively briefed on objectives and expected
• Ensure that required secondary data analysis has been conducted in preparation for an assessment;
• Data Collection
• Monitor data collection, ensuring correct implementation in line with agreed ToRs;
• Keep track of progress and delays of all assigned assessments throughout the research cycle;
• Product drafting, dissemination and evaluation
• Maintain regular communication with IMPACT HQ on progress and deadlines for written products;
• In consultation with the Country Coordinator, engage in the dissemination of research products, including through articles, IMPACT social media contents, targeted e-mails, coordination body presentations, and bilateral meetings, in line with IMPACT Dissemination and External Communication Guidelines and Research ToRs;
• Support PPSO to conduct monitoring and evaluation as specified in the research ToRs and in line with IMPACT Guidelines.
• STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
• As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), contribute to the development and implementation of the REACH Ethiopia country strategy; and as Unit lead, coordinate the development of a Unit strategy.
• EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT
• Represent REACH/IMPACT in cluster and multi-sector meetings/technical working groups in country, and follow up on technical issues identified in cluster meetings;
• In coordination with the Country Coordinator and Assessment Officers, present research findings to relevant partners, to enhance their use and impact;
• Support the IMPACT Country Coordinator in external engagement on REACH/IMPACT strategy or (when requested and with focal point) for fundraising and grants management.
• The Research Manager will maintain the strictest confidentiality on all data collected and related processes. He/she will actively take measures to prevent the unauthorized sharing of any information and data belonging to IMPACT and its partners, or collected during his/her assignment with IMPACT.

Accountability to Communities and Beneficiaries

Confidentiality and Data Protection

Requirements

• Excellent academic qualifications, including a Master's degree, if relevant;
• 3-5 years of relevant work experience, such as program management, evaluation and assessments;
• Previous experience managing large and complex teams in a humanitarian setting required, ideally with experience in a senior management role in an INGO team;
• Experience with external engagement (donors, partners and other key stakeholders) required;
• Familiarity with the humanitarian coordination system required;
• Excellent analytical skills required, and an ability to situate findings within a wider context;
• Fluency in English required;
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required;
• Experience with quantitative research, including mobile data collection (ODK, ONA, KOBO) required;
• Knowledge of the Adobe Suite software, particularly Illustrator and InDesign an asset;
• Prior knowledge of the Ethiopian context an asset;
• Experience working and living in challenging environments, for extended periods of time an asset;

Compensation & Benefits

For this position, salary between 3'180 CHF and 3'480 CHF monthly (before income tax), etc as well as a monthly living allowance of 300 USD NB - IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary grid depending on the grade of the position and the level of education of staff. A location-dependent security and/or isolation adjustment is then applied as a recognition that some staff are required to work in difficult places where living and working conditions are much more difficult than elsewhere.

Accommodation and food provided in the guesthouse.