Research Manager for Somalia, based in Mogadishu (External Applicants)

BACKGROUND ON REACH

REACH is an initiative of Acted whose 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 lead our research team in Somalia, based in Mogadishu.

Department: REACH

Position: Research Manager

Contract duration: 1 year, with possibility of extension

Location: Mogadishu, Somalia

Starting Date: 1 January 2027.

Country profile

Somalia remains within a complex and protracted crisis due to active conflict, the presence of non-state armed actors, the persistent presence of communicable diseases and climate-driven onset shocks – including droughts and flooding. Conflict and natural disasters continue to drive displacement and constrain the availability of resources, while the presence of armed groups severely impedes the level of access and support provided by humanitarian actors. The combination of restricted access to resources, drought, and flooding further exacerbates the possibility for outbreaks of communicable diseases like measles, cholera, and acute watery diarrhea.

Against this backdrop, REACH has developed a wide range of research cycles to provide an evidence base for the humanitarian community in Somalia. Data collected and disseminated by REACH aims to directly inform humanitarian response planning, as well as highlight areas of highest need and concern as crises emerge. Key areas of focus include:

Multi-Sector Needs Assessment (MSNA): REACH conducts the annual MSNA, whose findings feed into the Joint Intersectoral Analysis Framework (JIAF) workshop and, through it, the annual Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP).

Food Security and Nutrition: REACH conducts food security and nutrition assessments that feed into Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Acute Food Insecurity and Acute Malnutrition analyses.

Cash and Markets: REACH provides research and analytical support to the Somali Cash Consortium and conducts market monitoring analysis as part of a harmonised approach, led by the Cash Working Group.

Ad-hoc Research: REACH conducts ad-hoc assessments as needs arise, including rapid needs assessments following sudden-onset shocks such as flooding, drought and conflict-induced displacement.

To ensure that research findings meaningfully inform humanitarian response planning, REACH shares data through formal coordination platforms, including the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG), needs analysis and planning processes, the IPC Technical Working Group and the Cash Working Group, among others. Partner feedback is actively integrated to validate and triangulate findings, as well as to guide research design and geographic targeting.

FUNCTIONS

REACH is seeking an experienced candidate who has previously managed teams and implemented projects in a complex humanitarian setting. Under the line management of the Deputy Country Representative, and in close coordination with the Country Representative and HQ, the Research Manager will be responsible for overseeing the implementation, development, and strategy of the research portfolio of the REACH Somalia mission. This includes managing the teams responsible for the MSNA, food security and nutrition assessments, the Somali Cash Consortium, market monitoring, and ad-hoc assessments such as rapid needs assessments.

The candidate should be comfortable representing REACH with donors and be able to coordinate and liaise with a range of senior external partners, including OCHA, cluster coordinators, UN agencies and NGOs. This position requires a profile that can be both analytical and managerial, as the Research Manager’s job can range from coordinating with external partners (whether data actor, humanitarian cluster, or donor) to analytical oversight of research products.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Research Manager’s responsibilities include the following:

STAFF MANAGEMENT

• Direct management of international and national research staff across the MSNA, food security and nutrition, cash and markets, and ad-hoc assessment workstreams, including recruitment, appraisals, and capacity building;

• Day-to-day management of the research team, including the development of work plans and performance indicators, and development and implementation of capacity training plans to improve efficiency and performance;

• Conduct regular check-ins with staff within the unit, and promote team building, productivity and staff welfare as the main pastoral focal point for research staff;

• Provide regular support and technical backstopping;

• 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.

RESEARCH CYCLE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure that all research cycles are planned in line with the country strategy, relevant project and programme objectives, and REACH’s research cycle guidelines;

• Ensure that all (Senior) Research Officers are comprehensively briefed on objectives and expected outputs of research cycles, and that the overall implementation strategy of any given activity is clearly understood;

• Ensure that required secondary data review and/or analysis has been conducted in preparation for an assessment;

• For each research cycle, review ToRs before they are sent to HQ for validation and ensure that ToRs are validated before data collection begins;

• Ensure relevant stakeholders and partners are engaged in assessment design and planning, data collection, and management;

• Monitor data collection, ensuring correct implementation in line with agreed ToRs, and keep track of progress and delays of all assessments throughout the research cycle;

• Work closely with the Field Manager and Ops teams to ensure logistics, finance, administration, security and HR processes directly related to REACH are appropriately implemented, alongside the relevant Acted departments.

PORTFOLIO OVERSIGHT

• Oversee the timely delivery of the annual MSNA, ensuring that findings are available in time to feed into the JIAF workshop and the HNRP, and support the team in preparing for and participating in the JIAF process;

• Oversee food security and nutrition assessments, ensuring that methodologies, timelines and outputs are aligned with IPC requirements and that data is made available to IPC analyses as planned;

• Oversee REACH’s research support to the Somali Cash Consortium, ensuring that deliverables meet consortium and donor requirements and timelines;

• Oversee market monitoring analysis, ensuring consistent, timely outputs that are used by Cash Working Group partners;

• Lead the planning and rapid deployment of ad-hoc assessments, such as rapid needs assessments, in response to emerging crises and partner information needs, in coordination with OCHA and the clusters.

ANALYSIS AND DISSEMINATION MANAGEMENT

• Ensure research staff maintain regular communication with HQ on progress and deadlines for written products;

• Ensure the drafting of timely and accurate outputs (i.e. reports, factsheets, briefs, presentations, etc.), complying with REACH’s guidelines and quality standards;

• Review all research products before they are sent to HQ for validation and ensure that all written products are validated by HQ before external release;

• Under supervision of HQ, ensure that research products are uploaded to relevant data portals, as specified in research ToRs;

• Under the direction of the Country Representative and Deputy Country Representative, engage in the dissemination of research products, including emails, presentations to coordination bodies, and bilateral meetings, such as with donors;

• Support the Country Representative and Deputy Country Representative in conducting monitoring and evaluation as specified in the research ToRs and in line with REACH guidelines.

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

• With the Country Representative and Deputy Country Representative, identify information gaps in line with humanitarian priorities in Somalia, and identify advocacy and dissemination strategies to strengthen the impact of REACH’s work;

• Lead on formalising synergies with other assessment and knowledge management actors, as well as strategic partnerships with key humanitarian stakeholders and decision makers;

• As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), contribute to the development and implementation of the REACH Somalia country strategy.

EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

• Represent REACH at the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG) and in other inter-agency coordination forums, and act as a key REACH focal point for OCHA on needs analysis and humanitarian programme cycle processes;

• Represent REACH in cluster and multi-sector meetings and technical working groups, including the IPC Technical Working Group and the Cash Working Group, and follow up on technical issues identified in these forums;

• In coordination with the Country Representative and Deputy Country Representative, present research findings to relevant partners to enhance their use and impact;

• Ensure that external communications with partners and key stakeholders, including UN agencies, local and national authorities, and NGOs, are conducted and documented as appropriate;

• Support the Country Representative and Deputy Country Representative in external engagement on REACH strategy and, when requested, in fundraising and grants management.

DATA CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROTECTION

• The Research Manager will maintain the strictest confidentiality on all data collected and related processes, ensuring full compliance with REACH’s data protection policy and SOPs, and will ensure that the research team does the same. They will actively take measures to prevent the unauthorized sharing of any information and data belonging to REACH and its partners or collected during their assignment with REACH.

The Research Manager is also responsible for ensuring that all interactions with crisis-affected populations are conducted in a respectful and consultative manner, and that communities are adequately consulted and informed about REACH programme objectives, activities and methodologies.

REQUIREMEnTS

• Academic qualifications Excellent academic qualifications, including a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. international relations, development, humanitarian response, data science, political science, statistics, social research, or similar).

• Years of work experience At least 3-5 years of relevant working experience in a humanitarian setting, such as assessments, monitoring and evaluation, research design and analysis.

• Management experience Previous experience in a management role in an INGO at field level. Track record in successful management of international and national teams in humanitarian contexts.

• Research skills Strong quantitative and qualitative research experience, including sampling, methodology design and analysis. Ability to provide technical oversight of research products to a high standard.

• Familiarity with the humanitarian and aid system Good understanding of the aid system and the research community. Experience with the humanitarian programme cycle (HNRP/JIAF) and with humanitarian coordination forums (e.g. ICCG, clusters) is strongly preferred.

• Thematic experience Prior experience with MSNA-type research, food security and nutrition assessments and/or IPC processes, and cash and markets research is highly desirable.

• Communication/reporting skills Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting, including proven experience in contributing to high-level presentations and briefings to senior external audiences.

• Software skills Proven knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Skills in R, SPSS and/or STATA or other statistical analysis software are an advantage.

• Multi-tasking skills Ability to manage multiple research cycles in parallel with tight deadlines in a complex environment.

• Level of independence A self-starter with a proven ability to work independently.

• Cross-cultural work environment Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment.

• Experience in geographical region Past experience in the Horn of Africa region is desirable, or in any other emergency context where access is challenging.

• Language skills Fluency in English required, competency in Somali an asset.

• Security environment Openness to working in a high-risk security zone required. Ability to operate in a complex and challenging security environment. Ability to prioritize self-care and well-being.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• For this position, salary between 3’660 CHF and 3’720 CHF monthly (before income tax), as well as a monthly living allowance of 300 USD

• NB - REACH 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 a guesthouse. REACH is hosted by Acted in Somalia.

• Enrolment in Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approx. 9.975% of staff gross salary), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance

• Flight tickets every 6 months & visa fees covered (in-country travel costs and professional expenses are fully covered)

• R&R after 2-3 months (flight ticket up to 500$ + 200$ of living allowance)

• Contribution to the luggage transportation: between 20 and 100 kgs, depending on the length of the contract (+ luggage and personal property insurance)

• Annual leave of 36 days per year. Public holidays of the country of assignment. Family/compassionate leave when applicable.

• Predeparture induction - 3 days at HQ in Geneva + one week pre-departure training in Acted HQ in Paris, including a 4-day in situ security training

• Enrolment in the Research Foundational Learning Programme within the first 3 months from the start of contract.

• REACH prioritizes the psychological safety of its staff and the health insurance provided covers, among others, up to 1000 € per year of psychosocial counselling fees