Research Manager for Nigeria at IMPACT Initiatives

Job Title: Research Manager for Nigeria at IMPACT Initiatives

Date Posted: 19th January, 2026.

Expiry Date: 3rd Feb 2026

About the Job

The position is initially recruited for the Third Party Monitoring (TPM) Project covering FCDOs Humanitarian and Resilience Programme (HARP). For this programme, IMPACT has entered into a consortium with FACT Foundation. While in Nigeria, the staff shall be seconded to and hosted by FACT for their mission. The programmatic portfolio in Nigeria is expected to grow in 2026 beyond the FCDO TPM Project, with the expected confirmation of an ECHO-funded consortium focused on cash-based RRM. The Research Manager will be expected to lead the programmatic outputs for both of these grants.

Under the management of IMPACT’s Country Coordinator, the RM will therefore be responsible for overseeing the research activities for all IMPACT’s PANDA activities in Nigeria, meeting contractual deliverables, supervising a team of expatriate staff, ensuring high quality research outputs, and closely engaging FACT’s national staff through capacity building.

Your Job Description

Strategy Development and Implementation

With specific attention to TPM Projects, and while supervised by the CC, the RM is to ensure that IMPACT has an up to date understanding of the country’s socio-economic situation, the impact of a crisis and the aid/humanitarian situation, as well as the humanitarian planning, coordination, response mechanism developments, and key humanitarian stakeholders.

For the TPM Projects, develop and oversee the implementation of the project’s strategy. In conjunction with the CC, set out the project’s overall strategy, develop concomitant workplans for each staff member, and put in place the requisite structures for the staff members such that each individual has clarity as to how to work towards the common goal of completing deliverables in a timely manner and at a high standard, and ultimately supplying impact to FCDO/ECHO and Implementing Partners at the outcome level.

Research Planning

For the TPM Project, ensure that all the research is planned in line with the relevant project and programme objectives, as well as the Project and Country Strategy. This includes:

Ensure that all research complies with IMPACT’s HQ Research Department guidelines and standards.
Ensure that all necessary Secondary Data Reviews are conducted and integrated into the research.
Ensure that research ToRs are validated by HQ prior to the commencement of data collection.
Ensure that research ToRs are understood by the team and updated accordingly.
Keep track of progress and delays of all assigned assessments throughout the research cycle.
Liaise with consortium partners, including their Operations Manager, and coordinate data collection activities.
Chair the consortium Technical Advisory Unit and facilitate bi-weekly meetings to share progress updates and review research ToRs, tools, and outputs.
Supervise international staff, mainly Assessment and Data Officers.
Where necessary, proactively support the team by conducting research activities including design, ToR development, tool creation, data management, analysis, and product drafting.
While supported by the CC, conduct dissemination and stakeholder meetings with FCDO/ECHO and Implementing Partners.

Research Implementation

Liaise with consortium partners to ensure data is collected in a format that enables effective cleaning and analysis.
Ensure all collected data is stored in accordance with IMPACT’s Data Management Guidelines and the data management plan annexed to the Research ToR.
Ensure data is reviewed and cleaned, with all revisions recorded in line with IMPACT data management guidelines.
Oversee all analyses of collected data as stipulated in the Research ToRs.
Ensure data and analysis do not contain personal information and are validated by IMPACT HQ before external sharing.
Supervise and, where necessary, support the team in analysis and drafting of information products.
Review all products before submission to the CC or IMPACT HQ for validation.
Ensure all written products are validated by IMPACT HQ before release to FCDO/ECHO and Implementing Partners.

Team Management and Leadership

Ensure all staff members understand and are able to perform their roles, responsibilities, and reporting and validation duties to HQ.
Ensure all staff members have clear and regularly updated ToRs, workplans, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) against which performance will be appraised.
Promote team building, productivity, and staff welfare.
Mentor and support team members to build capacity, improve efficiency, and enhance performance.
Promote staff growth and development by linking with HQ to provide feedback, support retention, and internal mobility.
Identify capacity-building opportunities, provide high-performing staff with surge opportunities, and develop pathways for junior staff to progress into management or specialist roles.
Ensure timely communication and coordination with HQ in the event of any HR-related issues.

The Job Requirements

Requirements

Academic: Excellent academic qualifications, including a master’s degree in a relevant discipline (International Relations, Political Sciences, Social Research, Economics, Development Studies, or similar).
Management experience: Previous experience in a management role in an INGO at field level, with a proven track record in managing international and national teams in humanitarian contexts.
Familiarity with aid system: Familiarity with the aid system and the research community.
Communication and reporting skills: Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting, including experience contributing to high-level presentations and briefings.
Years of work experience: At least 4 years of relevant working experience, preferably in the humanitarian and research field or proven progression within IMPACT.
Research skills: Excellent research and analytical skills, including quantitative and qualitative research design, data collection, and analysis. Experience in assessments, M&E, field research, and evaluations is an asset.
Software skills: Proven knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Familiarity with R, SPSS, STATA, or other statistical analysis software is an asset.
Multi-tasking skills: Ability to multitask with tight deadlines across multiple research cycles in complex environments.
Level of independence: A self-starter with the ability to work independently.
Cross-cultural work environment: Ability to operate effectively in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility.
Experience in geographical region: Previous experience in the West Africa region is desirable.
Language skills: Fluency in English is required.
Security environment: Ability to operate in a complex and challenging security environment.

Compensation & Benefits

Monthly salary between 3’180 CHF and 3’240 CHF (before income tax), plus a monthly living allowance of 300 USD. Salaries are determined by IMPACT’s salary grid based on role grade and education level, with location-dependent security or isolation adjustments applied where relevant.
Accommodation and food provided in the guesthouse.
Enrolment in a Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approximately 9.975% of gross salary), health insurance, life insurance, and repatriation assistance.
Flight tickets every 6 months and visa fees covered. In-country travel costs and professional expenses are fully covered.
Contribution to luggage transportation (20–100 kg depending on contract length), including luggage and personal property insurance.
Annual leave of 36 days per year, plus public holidays of the country of assignment and family or compassionate leave where applicable.
Pre-departure induction including 3 days at IMPACT Initiatives HQ in Geneva and one week of training at ACTED HQ in Paris, including 4 days of situational security training.
Enrolment in the IMPACT Initiatives Research Foundational Learning Programme within the first 3 months of the contract.
Health insurance coverage includes up to 1,000 € per year for psychosocial counselling, reflecting IMPACT’s commitment to staff psychological safety.

Method of Application: Click on this link to get detailed information and apply