Senior Assessment Officer

Research Cycle: Longitudinal Study on Refugees and Returnees

Unit: Durable Solutions Unit at IMPACT Ukraine

Assignment

We are currently looking for a Senior Assessment Officer to lead the Longitudinal Study of Refugees and Returnees in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Chain of Command  

Under the authority of: 

IMPACT/REACH Senior Research Manager for Durable Solutions Unit

Working Relations 

Internal Relations: 

IMPACT/REACH Assessment Officers

IMPACT/REACH Data Officers

IMPACT/REACH GIS Officers

IMPACT/REACH Field Officers

IMPACT/REACH Unit Managers

IMPACT Operations and ACTED FLAT

External Relations:

National / International NGOs / UN Agencies / Government

CONTEXT

Background on IMPACT and REACH

IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, overseeing several initiatives, including the REACH Initiative. The IMPACT team comprises specialists in data collection, management and analysis, GIS, and remote sensing. Established as an initiative of ACTED, an international NGO based in Paris with a presence in over thirty countries, IMPACT benefits from ACTED’s operational support in its areas of intervention through a strong, globally formalised partnership. In Ukraine, IMPACT has operated under ACTED since 2015. As of 2024, the Ukraine IMPACT mission includes approximately 100 international and national staff members across various locations, with the largest office in Kyiv.

Background on Longitudinal Study of Refugees and Returnees

In response to the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the REACH initiative launched a longitudinal study of Ukrainian refugees. This study began by interviewing individuals who had crossed the border fleeing from Ukraine into neighbouring countries, with follow-up interviews conducted by phone in subsequent rounds. The primary aim of the study is to monitor movement intentions, needs, challenges, and integration efforts among the refugee population. The study comprises a sample of over 5,000 respondents and is conducted by an in-house team of enumerators. Since its inception, the team has published over 10 outputs, including a comprehensive dashboard for operational actors, briefs, reports, and thematic overviews that address both the overall situation of Ukrainian refugees and specific contexts in countries hosting significant numbers of refugees, as well as the situation of those who have returned to Ukraine. This study provides essential information to international humanitarian actors, national NGOs, volunteer organisations, and Ukrainian diaspora groups operating both regionally and within Ukraine. It offers impartial, unbiased, and comprehensive insights into the needs of refugees and returnees. Recently, the assessment has also begun to emphasise integration issues. In 2025, the team plans to adapt the longitudinal study to address key stakeholders’ needs, reduce the number of data collection rounds, and complement the study with a qualitative component.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Assessment Officer (SAO) will lead the Longitudinal Study on Ukrainian Refugees and Returnees, managing the research cycle and team under the supervision of the Senior Research Manager (SRM) in the Durable Solutions Unit. The primary objective of this role is to ensure the efficient execution of the research cycle by planning, implementing, and overseeing all related processes, including methodology design, data collection planning and implementation, data analysis, and output development and presentation. The SAO will also manage a team of 3–4 members, including assessment and data officers.

1. Research Cycle Management and Coordination

Context Knowledge 

• Proactively monitor forums where policies affecting refugees from Ukraine in Europe and returnees are discussed (e.g., Regional Response Plan, Temporary Protection, national policies of hosting countries, policies on returns of the Government of Ukraine).
• Conduct necessary secondary data analysis; develop a thorough understanding of similar assessments conducted by other organisations to establish synergies and prevent duplication.

Assessment Preparation and Planning

• Draft/oversee drafting of the Terms of Reference (TOR) and tools for the research cycle, ensuring validation by HQ before data collection begins and outputs are presented.
• Ensure that all rounds of the Longitudinal Study of Ukrainian Refugees are planned in line with TOR, as well as project and unit programme objectives.
• Engage relevant stakeholders and partners in assessment design, planning of written outputs, and data collection.
• Ensure that all Assessment Officers are briefed on the objectives and expected outputs of research cycles, and that the overall implementation strategy for each activity is clearly understood.

Data Collection

• Plan data collection according to existing standard operating procedures.
• Support Data Officer(s) with coding and preparing tools for data collection.
• Brief the Field Team on the study’s objectives.
• Train enumerators and support the Field Team by following up on challenges identified during data collection.

Product Drafting

• Draft/oversee the drafting of timely and accurate assessment outputs (e.g., reports, factsheets) that comply with IMPACT’s guidelines and quality standards.
• Ensure topics for thematic briefs are discussed and agreed upon with SRM, Coordination, donors, and partners before work begins.
• Ensure all written products are validated by IMPACT HQ before external release.

Product Dissemination and Evaluation

• Present the findings of the study at the cluster, technical working groups, bilateral meetings and other relevant forums;
• In cooperation with the SRM and Cooms team, engage in the dissemination of research products, in line with IMPACT’s dissemination and external communication guidelines and Research TORs.
• Under the supervision of IMPACT HQ, ensure research products are uploaded to relevant data portals, as specified in Research TORs.
• Document lessons learned at the end of each research cycle.

1. Team Management and Coordination

• Provide day-to-day management of the Longitudinal Study of Ukrainian Refugees, including developing work plans, performance indicators, and capacity training plans to improve efficiency and performance.
• Provide direct line management to up to 4 team members, including Assessment Officers, Data Officers, and GIS Officers, and oversee recruitment, appraisals, and career management.
• Conduct regular check-ins with unit staff, promoting team building, productivity, and staff welfare as the primary pastoral focal point for the Longitudinal Study of Ukrainian Refugees staff.
• Offer regular assessment support and technical guidance.

2. Grant Management

• Support the SRM in preparing accurate and timely narrative reports related to the research cycle through close collaboration with the Project Development team.

3. External Engagement

• In coordination with the SRM, maintain relationships with key stakeholders, actively monitor and address their information needs, and adapt the research cycle to align with these requirements.
• Represent IMPACT in cluster meetings, multi-sector forums, and working groups, following up with data requestors on information gaps identified in these meetings.
• Promote a positive image and uphold IMPACT’s credibility by embodying the organisation’s mandate, ethics, values, and positions in all interactions with other actors.

4. Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Ensure all interactions with beneficiaries are conducted respectfully and consultatively.
• Ensure communities are adequately consulted and informed about IMPACT programme objectives, activities, beneficiary selection criteria, and methodologies; ensure these standards are upheld by all team members.

Qualifications

Education

• Strong academic qualifications, including a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., International Relations, Political Science, Social Science, Economics, Development Studies, or similar).

Technical Requirements

• Previous experience in team management, ideally within an INGO at the field level.
• Familiarity with the aid system and the research community.
• Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting, including proven experience in high-level presentations/briefings.
• At least 3 years of relevant working experience.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with experience in assessments, M&E, field research, or evaluations.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with R, SPSS, STATA, or other statistical analysis software is an asset.
• Ability to multitask under tight deadlines on multiple research cycles in complex environments.
• A self-starter with the ability to work independently.
• Flexibility in a cross-cultural environment.

Additional Skills

1. Good organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
2. Ability to think creatively in process development and optimisation.
3. Flexibility and adaptability to changing needs and responsibilities.
4. Ability to work independently.
5. Attention to detail.
6. Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Conditions 

• Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance.
• Comfortable office in a central part of the city.
• Flexible working hours.
• Medical insurance after 3 months of work.
  
  Applications only in English should be submitted with the title or reference of the position. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. ACTED and IMPACT are equal opportunity employers.Attention!
  Per current legislation, individuals subject to military service duty must provide updated military registration documents while being employed
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