Research Manager: DRC CCF Evaluation

Candidates are reviewed on a rolling basis, early submission is recommended.

Social Impact is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

In the DRC, SI will be supporting Integrity to carry out an evaluation of USAID Complex Crisis Fund (CCF) programming ahead of the 2023 election. The evaluation will begin with an electoral landscape assessment, examining the landscape if CCF programming did not take place. The team will then conduct an evaluation to analyze the impact of CCF programming on citizen awareness and behavior towards the electoral process; changes in hate speech, misinformation, and fake news; trust and social cohesion; perceptions of legitimacy for the elections; and the participation of marginalized groups in the electoral process. Findings will be presented in learning products which will provide guidance on how to design future programming.

Project Objective:

USAID/DRC has engaged the PEARL mechanism to conduct a n evaluation of complex crisis fund programming in the DRC . The purpose of the evaluation in the DRC is to explore the following preliminary questions:

• To what extent have civic education efforts and campaigns succeeded in increasing citizens’ awareness and behavior towards the electoral process? In particular, what impact did these efforts have on youth, women, and other marginalized groups during the voter registration process as well as on election day itself?
• In what ways have elections-related and media programming been successful in combating hate speech, misinformation, and fake news?
• To what extent did elections programming help foster dialogue, trust, and social cohesion during the electoral period? Which conflict mitigation approaches were most effective in helping to reduce the potential for electoral violence?
• Considering that a large part of CCF-funded activities are focused on improving the transparency and accountability of the electoral process, what was the impact of large-scale elections observation on the legitimacy (or perceptions thereof) of the electoral process?
• How effective were the CENI’s strategic frameworks for women, people with disability, and youth inclusion in fostering equitable access and participation in the electoral process?

Results will be disseminated through various learning products, such as stakeholder presentations, written reports, and workshops.

Position Description:

SI is seeking a Research Manager who will be responsible for supporting the team leader on the overall performance of the evaluation, particularly tasks relating to background research, writing, data collection, and analysis. In addition, the research manager will bring critical expertise on the context of the DRC as a whole, and the electoral environment. Under the technical leadership of the PEARL Management Team and Team Leader, the research manager will manage a mixed methods evaluation of USAID complex crisis fund programming in the DRC. Specific tasks will include recruitment of participants for qualitative interviews, execution of qualitative interviews, analysis of qualitative data, and writing contributions to reports.

The period of performance is July 2023 to June 2024 , with an estimated LOE of 30- 40 days. Within this timeframe, roughly 10 days of work is expected between July 2023 and October 2023, and the remainder to take place between January 2024 and June 2024. Travel within the DRC is expected in January or February 2024 and flexibility around changing timelines is bonus.

Responsibilities:

• Support the team lead on major assessment activities, including the electoral landscape assessment, background research, evaluation design , development of instruments, data collection, synthesis of data and formulation of conclusions, and preparation of final report with team contributions.
• Provide contextual expertise on the DRC and electoral landscape
• Manage and coordinate data collection activities , including independently leading and overseeing a sub-team during data collection
• Contribute to briefings with relevant stakeholders
• Manage the timeline and teaming plan with support of the team leader
• Support the desk review and identify additional information required for analysis
• Co-lead data collection and participate in interviews and surveys as needed
• Coordinate team's ongoing analysis of qualitative and quantitative data
• Contribute to the draft evaluation report with support from the team members, taking into consideration feedback from the out-brief presentation
• Work collaboratively with team members throughout design, implementation, analysis, and report writing to complement each other's areas of expertise

Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years of experience on mixed-methods research in the DRC
• Advanced skills in qualitative data collection and analysis and mixed-methods evaluations
• Experience in management of large research projects
• Experience in research or evaluation in electoral programming in complex or transitional environments, including in the DRC
• Advanced degree in international conflict resolution, research, or related field
• French fluency

Come join our energetic and innovative team! We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com

SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.

How to apply

To apply, please follow the link to our Careers site.