MMC Research Specialist

MMC Research Specialist

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is looking for a highly qualified Research Specialist to support the Mixed Migration Centre research across West Africa and North Africa, based in Tunis.

About the Mixed Migration Centre
The MMC is a global network consisting of five regional hubs (Asia, East Africa, Europe, West and North Africa, Latin America and Caribbean) and a central unit in Geneva. The MMC is a leading source for independent and high-quality data, research, analysis and expertise on mixed migration. The MMC aims to increase understanding of mixed migration, to positively impact global and regional migration policies, to inform evidence-based protection responses for people on the move and to stimulate forward thinking in public and policy debates on mixed migration. The MMC’s overarching focus is on human rights and protection for all people on the move. The three overall objectives of the MMC are:

• To contribute to a better, more nuanced, and balanced understanding of mixed migration (knowledge)

• To contribute to evidence-based and better informed migration policies and debates (policy)

• To contribute to effective evidence-based protection responses for people on the move (programming)

The MMC is part of and governed by DRC. MMC regional hubs are hosted within DRC regional offices, but part of the global MMC network. While its institutional link to DRC ensures MMC’s work is grounded in operational reality, it acts as an independent source of data, research, analysis and policy development on mixed migration for policy makers, practitioners, journalists, and the broader humanitarian sector. The position of the MMC does not necessarily reflect the position of DRC. For more information on MMC visit our website (http://www.mixedmigration.org/).

Mixed Migration
Mixed migration refers to cross-border movements of people including refugees fleeing persecution and conflict, victims of trafficking and people seeking better lives and opportunities. Motivated to move by a multiplicity of factors, people engaged in such movements have different legal statuses as well as a variety of vulnerabilities. Although entitled to protection under international human rights law, they are exposed to multiple rights violations along their journey. Those in mixed migration flows travel along similar routes, using similar means of travel - often travelling irregularly and wholly or partially assisted by migrant smugglers.

The West and North Africa Region
Since May 2022, MMC West and North Africa (WANA) form one region under the direct supervision of the MMC Regional Manager for the WANA region based in Dakar, Senegal, and technical supervision of the MMC Global Director.

MMC WANA is currently directly collecting data in several countries in North and West Africa through its 4Mi project and expanded to two more countries in 2022 through local partners. The MMC is a key research resource engaging with policy makers at both country-level and through regional mechanisms such as the Rabat and Khartoum Processes.

Key research themes include Children and Youth in mobility, smuggling of migrants (SoM), urban migration, Returns-Reintegration-Remigration, and climate change and migration, etc.. Other themes might arise and MMC research remains agile to respond to pressing needs for evidence-based programming and policy development.

The MMC Regional Team is positioned across two offices in Dakar and Tunis, to closely follow activities in each sub-region, engage with key relevant stakeholders, and to capitalise on the visibility and credibility gained at the sub-regional level in recent years. The MMC regional manager sits in Dakar, along with the Research Coordinator, the 4Mi Project Manager for West Africa, the Senegal Research Specialist, and the MMC Programme Assistant, while in Tunis, the Research Specialist will be joining a team composed of the 4Mi Project Manager for North Africa, the Regional Information Management Specialist, and the national 4Mi Coordinator. In addition, MMC has staff hosted by DRC country offices where the 4Mi project is operational, including in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

About the job
Under the line management of the 4Mi Project Manager based in Tunis and the technical supervision of the Research Coordinator based in Dakar, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing research tools; conducting interviews, transcriptions, qualitative data coding and analysis; generating graphs and tables based on descriptive statistics; undertaking desk research; and drafting outputs. One of the key outputs the Research Specialist will draft is the Quarterly Mixed Migration Updates for both West Africa and North Africa, which requires ongoing monitoring of trends and events across the region. The Research Specialist will also attend some external events to present the MMC’s work in the region and research findings. Additional support may be requested to support the MMC WANA fundraising and proposal development.

Interested candidates should have a passion for research on issues of mixed migration and understanding the experiences of refugees and migrants as they move to, within, and from North and West Africa. MMC provides opportunities for learning and developing to advance research skills and migration expertise.

Responsibilities

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Data Collection and Analysis

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis for MMC:
• Develop research methodologies and tools, including sampling strategies, semi-structured interview guides and quantitative modules
• Taking the lead on coding and labelling variables to be used in qualitative analysis,
• Support and lead data collection processes as needed, including by conducting semi-structured interviews and feeding into data collection processes
• Stay up to date on the latest mixed migration research and trends in West and North Africa and along the Atlantic Route and Western and Central Mediterranean Routes by regularly monitoring media and other relevant sources.

Producing Research Outputs

• Regularly contribute to the production of internal briefing notes, Snapshots, Quarterly Mixed Migration Updates, and more extended Research Reports and Briefing Papers.
• In coordination with the 4Mi project team, contribute to processes for research formulation and collaboration.
• Engage humanitarian and development programming staff to identify data and research gaps MMC can fill, respond to information requests, and support sector-level information-gathering.

Research Dissemination and Engagement

• Support the dissemination of research products (from online communication to launching event with partners, etc.), contribute to the planning and convening of research dissemination events.
• Contribute to MMC reporting of its research activities on a quarterly or as-needed basis.

Other

• Take notes and write briefings for meetings
• Support MMC’s communications as needed
• Support fundraising as needed by providing inputs to concept notes, proposals and research design
• Support the team with any other tasks related to the running of MMC and its projects.

About you
To be successful in this role we expect you to have experience in conducting research and drafting outputs preferably in English. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Masters in the social sciences;
• At least three years’ experience working in qualitative research;
• Excellent English writing and editing skills; demonstrated ability to synthesize and condense information;
• Fluent in English and Arabic, professionally proficient in French;
• Demonstrated experience in transcription, coding, and qualitative analysis;
• Experience in NVIVO, ATLAS or a similar software is an asset;
• Experience in generating graphs and tables of data (Excel) is highly desirable;
• Previous experience working with international NGOs is an asset;
• Enthusiastic about learning, pushing limits, and finding new solutions;
• Strong verbal and written communication aptitude;
• Strong attention to details and rigor in dealing with data.
• Cooperative attitude, working well in a team

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ 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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer
Contract length: 9-month contract (renewable upon funding)

Band: NMG Band G

Designation of Duty Station: Tunis

Start date: August 2024

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment; For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Sarah Doyel, [email protected].

Application process
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to sit for an exam. Finalists will be asked to sit for an interview.

Closing date for applications: 14 July 2024

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.

Department: Borgergade 10, 3.sal , København K

Location: Tunis, Tunisia

Application deadline: 14 Jul 2024