MEAL Research Specialist

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Duration: 12 months with the possibility of extension
Starting date: ASAP
Line Manager: Head of MEAL

General Description of the Role:

PIN Ukraine is seeking a Research Specialist to join its Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) team. The post holder will have a key role in implementation of the PIN Ukraine research agenda, including assessments, monitoring, evaluation and other sector- or project-based research. S/he will provide technical support to or lead the design of research activities, as well as conduct or support other MEAL staff in data analysis and reporting based on review of the secondary sources, as well as primary data collected by the PIN and its partners’ MEAL teams, through Community Feedback and Response Mechanisms (CFRM) and by the external contractors. The post holder will report directly to the Kyiv-based Head of MEAL and will work closely with the MEAL Manager, MEAL Coordinators, MEAL Partnership team, sector Technical Leads and other MEAL, Programme and Data Management staff. The MEAL Research Specialist will have an essential role in strengthening quality of data analysis, reporting and learning practices within the MEAL and Programmes Departments.

Key Duties:

• Support MEAL and Programme colleagues in designing and preparing assessments, evaluations and other research/studies, by providing technical expertise and inputs in development of methodological and analytical frameworks and tools as required.
• Lead the process of MEAL data processing and analysis, ensure preparation of monitoring and assessment reports based on primary data (both qualitative and quantitative) and secondary sources.
• Participate in data quality assessments; provide feedback on monitoring data quality and support MEAL teams in addressing gaps in quality assurance.
• Engage with Data Management team in developing and maintaining MEAL data repository and in creating and updating automated data visualization and reporting platforms for analysis of achieved results and trends across interventions and for wider dissemination of assessment, monitoring and evaluation findings.
• Support capacity building of the MEAL team through delivery of trainings on research design, data processing, analysis and reporting, as well as through review and feedback on monitoring tools and reports prepared by the team.
• Conduct internal evaluation of projects/activities and support coordination of external evaluation and research as required.
• Develop presentations and participate in discussions with MEAL and Programme staff on assessment, monitoring and evaluation findings to support learning.

Requirements:

• Completed university degree in any Social Sciences discipline, Statistics or other relevant field
• At least 2 years of experience in research/assessment/Monitoring & Evaluation including research design, tools development, data analysis and report writing
• Experience and interest in handling and analysing complex data sets
• Demonstrable research and high-standard writing skills, with prior experience of applying quantitative and/or qualitative social research methods. Ability to write clear and effective assessment and monitoring reports in English
• Proficiency with basic statistical techniques
• High degree of familiarity with digital data gathering software packages (Kobo ToolBox, or similar), data visualization tools (Microsoft PowerBI, or similar), and quantitative and qualitative data analysis software (Stata, SPSS, R, NVivo or similar)
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• High level of professional proficiency in spoken and written English; Ukrainian highly desirable

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Prior work experience with an international NGO in a humanitarian context
• Prior work experience with grant management and/or reporting
• Knowledge of community feedback and response mechanisms and other accountability mechanisms
• Prior work experience in data management, knowledge of Data Protection regulations

Security situation in Ukraine

Humanitarian workers continue to operate throughout Ukraine, although the front line areas are being shelled almost constantly, and main cities are being targeted with missiles and UAVs quite regularly. PIN security SOPs require PIN staff to proceed to shelter should the risk level be assessed by the Security Department as the highest (launch of missiles or drones) and remain there until the air raid siren is cancelled, which cumulatively can be several times a week, occasionally for several hours at a time (although shorter periods are as well occurring). While air strikes that were targeting energy infrastructure have finished after winter, they have succeeded in reaching their goals and are likely to resume in late autumn/winter. At the moment military and civilian objects are being targeted, including the west of Ukraine. While Kyiv enjoys relatively strong air defense systems that are intercepting most of the missiles and UAVs, other regions are covered much less significantly which results in bigger damage. Outside of the areas in the vicinity to the contact line, services such as medical care, shops, public transportation as well as restaurants or leisure facilities remain operational.

The employee is expected to be able to travel to other PIN offices and other locations where PIN is conducting activities, however all travel must first be pre-approved by PIN security department. The employee must comply with all PIN security department SOPs and other relevant instructions.

This position is an unaccompanied position and team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and PIN's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

PIN Offers:

• Work experience in a well-established and continuously growing humanitarian organization in a challenging context;
• Flexible and challenging working environment with room for personal growth;
• Salary and benefits according to PIN salary scale and HR policies; expected salary 2,350-2,550 EUR super gross (based on experience);
• Monthly subsistence allowance 1350 EUR;
• Monthly hardship allowance 400 EUR;
• R&R allowance;
• Accommodation allowance;
• 25 days of paid leave annually;
• Travel health insurance (covers health care incl. the repatriation);
• Free access to e-learning sites, global PIN Induction Training, PIN Training Hub, and individually tailored capacity-building opportunities, incl. HEAT Training;
• Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once per every 6 months of completed work;
• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure;
• Reimbursement of the medical check-up before and after the deployment;
• Free medical helpdesk and psychological consultation available online;

Are you interested in this position? Send us your CV (no longer than 4 pages) and short cover letter via our application form. Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled.

People in Need staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need Code of conduct and key policies (available at: https://www.peopleinneed.net/key-policies-4142gp).

People in Need is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct and is committed to promoting the welfare of children and adults with whom People in Need involves. People in Need expects all staff to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need code of conduct and key policies (available at: https://www.peopleinneed.net/key-policies-4142gp). People in Need Staff will undertake the appropriate level of training.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.