Research Manager for Afghanistan, based in Kabul

BACKGROUND ON IMPACT AND REACHIMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation manages several initiatives, including the REACH Initiative. The IMPACT team comprises specialists in data collection, management and analysis, GIS and remote sensing. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO with headquarters based in Paris and presence in thirty countries. The two organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, which allows IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support in its fields of intervention.We are currently looking for a Research Manager to lead our Inter-Sectoral Research Unit in Afghanistan.Department: IMPACTPosition: Research ManagerContract duration: 12 monthsStarting Date: May 17, 2026Location: Kabul, AfghanistanCOUNTRY PROFILEREACH has been present in Afghanistan since 2016, providing a growing evidence base for humanitarian response planning through sectoral, multi-sectoral and area-based assessments as well as information management services. Working across all 34 provinces, including hard-to-reach areas, the Afghanistan team’s research supports and facilitates emergency response efforts immediately following conflict or natural disaster as well as more long-term oriented resilience and recovery activities, including those linked to emerging humanitarian-development nexus approaches and basic human needs (BHN) programming.In order to inform the strategic planning and prioritization of the humanitarian community in Afghanistan, REACH facilitates the annual Whole of Afghanistan (WoA) Multi-Sectoral Needs Assessment, in coordination with OCHA and the Afghanistan Inter-Cluster Coordination Team (ICCT). This research is a key input for the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) and Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), as well as inputting to the bi-annual Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) process. Throughout the year, REACH also implements a number of other assessments to monitor humanitarian needs across Afghanistan and inform other key milestones of the Humanitarian Planning Cycle (HPC), while also contributing to broader analysis on vulnerability and basic human needs. These research cycles form the core of REACH Afghanistan’s Inter-Sectoral Research Unit (ISRU).In light of the escalating conflict throughout 2021, resulting in the take-over of Kabul in August by the Taliban, and consequent political and economic fallout, such research cycles have been critical to inform what has been an unprecedented scale-up in humanitarian funding and implementation to meet critical and rapidly worsening need across the country. Correspondingly, through the ISRU, REACH is expanding its activities to include an annual WoA Assessment, mobilize and establish a more systematic framework of humanitarian situation monitoring (HSM) and platform for joint analysis with key humanitarian information and coordination practitioners. In addition, the unit is growing to cover new research cycles covering the shifting dynamics of internal and cross-border displacement in Afghanistan, as well as generating analysis that can inform responses addressing basic human needs across humanitarian and nexus programming. This programming will be critical to ensure continuous and proactive support to the humanitarian community through this highly dynamic period in Afghanistan.REACH Afghanistan is looking for a Research Manager to head the ISRU, managing both existing research cycles and developing and driving its strategic direction, as of June 2026.POSITION PROFILEThe Research Manager will be responsible for overseeing the development and strategy of the Inter-Sectoral Research Unit, under the supervision of the IMPACT (Deputy) Country Coordinator, and IMPACT HQ in Geneva. The candidate should be comfortable representing IMPACT with donors and be able to coordinate and liaise with a range of senior external partners. This position requires a profile that can be both analytical and managerial, as the Research Manager’s job can range from coordinating with external partners (whether data actor, humanitarian cluster, or donor) to analytical oversight of research products to logistics.RESPONSIBILITIESThe Research Manager’s responsibilities will include:STAFF MANAGEMENT* Direct management of international and senior national team members, including recruitment and staff career management. The ISRU currently consists of 7 contracted assessment staff; * Development and implementation of capacity training plans for team members; * Day-to-day management of team members, including the development of work plans and performance indicators.PROJECT/RESEARCH CYCLE MANAGEMENT* Ensure all assessments and analysis are planned and implemented in a structured and coherent manner, in line with relevant project and strategic objectives, and with global REACH guidelines; * Oversee all research cycles, including reviewing ToRs, methodology notes, tools, products and dissemination strategies. * Ensure the writing and production of timely, accurate and analytically rigorous reports, assessments, and factsheets; * Ensure relevant stakeholders and partners are engaged in assessment design and planning; * Monitor output achievement, project expenditure and ensure timely completion of the project. * Actively advocate for the improving of analysis within REACH products, and using common methodologies, tools and analysis frameworks across units where relevantGRANTS MANAGEMENT* Under the guidance of the (Deputy) Country Coordinator, manage grants in the ISRU, including initial discussions with donors, conceptualisation of new projects, drafting proposals, regular reporting, and M&E; * Under the guidance of the (Deputy) Country Coordinator, oversee the financial management of all grants covering the ISRU’s projects, including oversight of budget and expenditure; * Ensure that contractual obligations are met in terms of programs deliverables.EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT* In coordination with the (Deputy) Country Coordinator, represent REACH with donors, partners, and the wider development community in Afghanistan.STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION* Under the guidance of the (Deputy) Country Coordinator, develop the ISRU strategy, engagement and involvement with various technical and coordination forums; * Work with key clusters and partner organizations and working groups to understand the various relevant information gaps within Afghanistan and identify how the ISRU and fill these gaps; * Contribute to the development and implementation of the REACH Afghanistan country strategy; * Develop and implement dissemination strategies to strengthen the impact of the ISRU programmes; * Engagement with HQ on ISRU research and/or coordination and provide support to relevant IMPACT Global Community of Practices (CoPs).The Research Manager will maintain the strictest confidentiality on all data collected and related processes. They will actively take measures to prevent the unauthorized sharing of any information and data belonging to IMPACT and its partners or collected during his/her assignment with IMPACT.REQUIREMENTS* Years of work experience At least 4 years of relevant working experience in a humanitarian setting, such as program management, evaluation and assessments; * Research skills Excellent quantitative and qualitative research design, data collection, and data analysis experience required; * Familiarity with aid system Good understanding of the aid system and the research community. Prior experience with humanitarian coordination forums preferred; * Management experience Demonstrated team management skills, including remote management; * Thematic experience Prior experience with humanitarian needs assessments, vulnerability analysis, and population movement dynamics; * Experience in geographical region Past experience in the region/supporting is desirable; * Communication/reporting skills Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting and reviewing; * Cross-cultural work environment Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility and work independently; * Academic qualifications Excellent academic qualifications, including a master’s degree in a relevant discipline; * Software skills Proven knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, to include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with R, SPSS and/or STATA or other statistical analysis software an asset * Security environment Ability to operate in a complex and challenging security environment. * Language skills Fluency in English required, competency in Dari/Farsi is an asset.COMPENSATION & BENEFITS* For this position, salary betwen 3’000 CHF and 3’100 CHF monthly (before income tax), etc as well as a monthly living allowance of 300 USD NB - IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary grid depending on the grade of the position and the level of education of staff. A location-dependent security and/or isolation adjustment is then applied as a recognition that some staff are required to work in difficult places where living and working conditions are much more difficult than elsewhere. * Accommodation and food provided in the guesthouse. * Enrolment in Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approx. 9.975% of staff gross salary), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance. * Flight tickets every 6 months & visa fees covered (in-country travel costs and professional expenses are fully covered). * R&R after 2-3 months (flight ticket up to 500$ + 200$ of living allowance) if duty station allows [to be added or removed depending on the base ] * Contribution to the luggage transportation: between 20 and 100 kgs, depending on the length of the contract (+ luggage and personal property insurance) * Annual leave of 36 days per year. Public holidays of the country of assignment. Family/compassionate leave when applicable. * Predeparture induction - 3 days at IMPACT Initiatives’s HQ in Geneva + one week pre-departure training in ACTED HQ in Paris, including a 4-days in situ security training; * IMPACT prioritizes the psychological safety of its staff and the health insurance provided covers, among others, up to 1000 € per year of psychosocial counselling fees.HOW TO APPLYPlease apply directly on the website via the following link: Research Manager for Afghanistan, based in Kabul (Link For External Applicants)