MMC Research Specialist

MMC Research Specialist

Founded in 1956, The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities – in more than 40 countries around the world.

The EAGL Regional Office covers the following country operations: Burundi, Djibouti, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Overall purpose of the role:
The overall purpose of the role is taking a leading role at the Mixed Migration Centre in Eastern and Southern Africa | Egypt and Yemen with the publication of timely and high-quality research to inform policy and programming. MMC is looking for a highly motivated researcher dedicated to maintaining MMC’s position as a leading voice in migration research in the region and to participate and represent MMC in relevant research, programming and policy events. This also includes actively engaging in setting up research seminars with humanitarian programming colleagues, and maintaining research partnerships in the region.

Under the supervision of the Head of MMC ESA in Nairobi and the technical supervision of MMC ESA’s Regional Research Coordinator, the successful candidate will be chiefly responsible for designing research methodologies and data collection tools; collecting, analyzing and transcribing qualitative data; regularly monitoring emerging mixed migration trends and dynamics across the countries and regions of focus of the MMC hub; drafting and editing a range of high-quality publications; representing MMC as needed in different forums with key migration stakeholders; lending support to reporting and fundraising activities; going on research, data collection and dissemination missions in the region when needs arise; actively shaping MMC’s research agenda and processes in the region; and contributing to the research dissemination, among other responsibilities.

Responsibilities :
The MMC Research Specialist will

• Take a leading role on MMC qualitative research projects;
• Design qualitative research methodologies and data collection tools fit to context and respondent group(s);
• Plan and conduct qualitative data collection involving travel to MMC’s countries and areas of operation in the region and liaise with local counterparts and key experts on topics including children on the move, labour migration and sexual and gender minorities on the move;
• Lead on the transcription of in-depth qualitative interviews and qualitative data analysis, including coding and labelling;
• Work autonomously on the production of MMC’s Quarterly Mixed Migration Updates, and regularly produce Snapshots and Factsheets, as well as extended quantitative and qualitative Research Reports and Briefing Papers;
• Conduct secondary literature reviews;
• Lead on conceiving new MMC research projects, and developing research ideas with DRC and partners according to programmatic and policy needs, feeding into the coordination of the MMC ESA research agenda;
• Keep abreast of policy developments in the context of (im)migration, mobility, refugees, migrants and human rights in the region, particularly with regards to marginalized hard-to-reach populations with protection needs, including and sexual and gender minorities;
• Stay up-to-date on the latest mixed migration research from the Eastern and Southern Africa region as well as Egypt and Yemen, and along the Eastern Route towards the Arabian Peninsula, the routes north towards the Mediterranean (i.e., the Central Mediterranean Route), the Southern Route towards South Africa, as well as intra-regional migration routes, including in the Great Lakes region.
• Lead on exploring, setting up and maintaining research partnerships, including with refugee- and migrant-led organisations across the region;
• Convene and lead research dissemination events, including regular research seminars with DRC programming staff;
• In coordination with MMC and DRC staff, communicate MMC’s research objectives to DRC teams at the country and regional level;
• Extend and strengthen the network of MMC with relevant and strategic partners in the region;
• Interface with other researchers and research organizations operating within the region to ensure non-duplication, to work collaboratively, and to participate in local capacity building;
• Contribute to MMC reporting of its research activities on a quarterly or as-needed basis.
• Lead on identifying and tracking new grant opportunities for MMC (independently or in coordination with DRC country offices and in the region);
• Coordinate and contribute to the development of grant proposal narratives and other grant documentation in grant application stages;
• Train staff on MMC editorial guidelines and on migration theory through peer-review processes;
• Provide support to country missions in projects involving migration data, mainly through assistance in the organisation and facilitation of migration data collection and analysis;
• Provide training to DRC and MMC staff on research methods and related software applications.

About you
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Experience and Technical competencies (included year of experience)

• At least a completed Master’s degree in development economics, migration or refugee studies, gender studies, or other social sciences.
• Demonstrated coursework and independent research in the field of migration or refugee studies is highly desirable.
• At least 5 years of experience working in a research or academic context;
• Demonstrated experience in managing and supervising data and research project flows and qualitative analysis techniques including the use of relevant software applications (such as ATLAS.ti or NVivo);
• Demonstrated varied experience in conducting qualitative data collection in field settings;
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating and producing relevant research products, preferably on migration and/or humanitarian issues;
• Demonstrated understanding of current mixed migration debates and dynamics in the region;
• Experience in generating graphs and tables in Excel or quantitative analysis software;
• Full working verbal and written knowledge in English and Kiswahili. Professional proficiency in French or Arabic is a distinct advantage;
• Demonstrated experience in grant management and donor engagement is an asset;
• Previous experience working or partnering with local research organizations and/or relevant CSOs is an asset;

What we offer
Contract: 11 Months Contract with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.

Non - Management Band/ G1

Salary: Starting salary is KES 337,500

Nationality: National

Availability: 1st February 2025.

Duty station: Nairobi Kenya

Reporting Line: Head of MMC ESA

Providing equal opportunities We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

DRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff within its programs. As such, we strongly encourage national and diaspora candidates to apply for this position.

Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Department: Nairobi

Location: Nairobi, Kenya