Child Protection Researcher

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees delivers lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC’s Airbel Impact Lab designs, tests, and scales life-changing, cost-effective solutions for people affected by conflict and disaster. This research position works directly with the Child Protection team, Violence Prevention and Response Unit, and country teams to advance the child protection research and learning agenda. The child protection portfolio builds research evidence in the following areas: delivering parenting programs at scale, preventing and responding to child recruitment in armed forces or groups, understanding and addressing child labor in humanitarian settings, supporting children on the move, and improving the psychosocial support and wellbeing of children and adolescents in crises.

Position Overview:

This position is a short-term role to join IRC’s Airbel team and provide coverage for staff on parental leave. The main focus of the position will be to support the research coordination of a longitudinal, mixed methods study examining the implementation and effectiveness of case management approaches for children who have experienced violence or trauma in humanitarian settings in Nigeria and Colombia. Other projects include mixed methods studies related to child labor and the reintegration of children associated with armed forces and armed groups, qualitative research on child accountability systems, and research support to a large consortium on social norms and access to education for adolescent girls. This Researcher position will also support coordination, strategy, and business development of other areas of violence research. Paramount in this work is deep attention to ethical considerations related to violence against children research.

Major Responsibilities:

• Work closely with research and program teams at headquarters and in country programs to coordinate child protection and other emergent violence prevention research studies as needed;

• Ensure research adheres to IRC research standards and all violence ethical guidance;

• Design survey tools and protocols, in collaboration with practitioners and academic partners;

• Lead data collection training and support piloting and implementation as needed, including for both qualitative and quantitative data collection efforts;

• Serve as advisor or co-investigator on child protection research studies

• Support data analysis efforts, including taking initiative to start new analyses;

• Coordinate with grants and administrative teams to produce monitoring or donor reports;

• Ensure development of and uptake of a dissemination strategy for specific studies;

• Analyze upcoming and ongoing child protection programming to ensure it remains based on the best available practice and evidence;

• Oversee and support the child protection research and learning agenda, including delivering a robust business development plan;

• Contribute to drafting of policy reports and academic articles, including as first author;

Job Requirements:

**Education:**Masters (or PhD) in public health, sociology, economics, child development, child psychology, children’s health, or other social sciences.

**Work Experience:**Minimum 6-8 years of experience working in research on topics related to violence against children/child protection, humanitarian emergencies or other child focused related topics.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

● Proven qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis skills;

● Ability to work across sectors and projects coordinating research studies and bring people together from different perspective to work collaboratively;

● Knowledge of ethical principles related to sensitive study topics, such as child protection and violence research;

● Experience conducting research in child protection in humanitarian settings;

● Excellent oral and written communication and attention to detail;

● Strong research publication and funding track record;

● Commitment to adhere to Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion principles and uphold Child Safeguarding standards.

● English is required, French is highly preferred, and, Spanish, Swahili or other language would be beneficial.

Working Environment: Standard office work environment, up to 30% travel to countries of implementation.

Compensation:

Posted pay ranges apply to US and UK-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

US Benefits:

The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.

**Standard of Professional Conduct:**The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.