Major Responsibilities/Position Scope

We seek candidates competent in quantitative and qualitative research methods, with capacity to support field-based implementation/operational, public health and health systems research focused on sexual, maternal and newborn and reproductive health in low-resource, conflict-affected contexts. The Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) sector, inclusive of a substantial portfolio in maternal and newborn health (MNH), conducts research studies and evaluations using experimental and quasi-experimental, observational and mixed methods design.

The Research Coordinator will backstop a variety of ongoing studies collaborating with local partners and other institutions and identifying research opportunities that align with the Health Unit and/or Research and Innovation departments’ research and programmatic priority areas. The SRHR / MNH portfolio is currently focusing its research on areas including self-managed care, community-based maternal and newborn services, political economy and other context analysis, and health systems strengthening among others.

The Work Breakdown Is Expected As Follows

Specific Responsibilities

50%: Coordinate and support research project implementation in SRHR / MNH portfolio:

• Prepare research ethics applications for specified studies
• Oversee research project implementation, including day to day interaction with research focal points and managers in field sites, facilitation of data collector training, overseeing data collection and analysis.
• Coordinate and contribute to the development of all external project reporting and manuscript preparation
• Work with the research uptake and communications team on documentation and dissemination activities for research studies including presentations at conferences/workshops/stakeholder forums.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

30%: Specialized Country and Research Partner Support (partner-led projects):

• Collaborate with local partners/country programs and provide technical review of research concept notes/proposals
• Support development of research ethics applications for specified studies
• Support research managers in country programs/local partner institutions to assure methodological soundness and quality implementation of research studies
• Support design and supervision of data collection, entry, and analysis, where needed
• Support training of enumerators and other research staff
• Participate in preparation of manuscripts for peer review and other reporting and dissemination activities

20% - Business Development and other support as needed by manager

• Identification of funding opportunities and support efforts related to proposal development in various projects
• Other coordination support for research-related activities, especially related to partnerships and departmental requirements as needed by manager.

Job Requirements

• Education: MPH or Masters in relevant field, both quantitative and qualitative training preferred.
• Work Experience: 3-6 years of experience with at least 1 year experience managing research projects in low-income or developing countries. At least 2 years of field experience in low income or humanitarian settings preferred.

Demonstrated Skills And Competencies

• Demonstrated internal and external communication and coordination capabilities
• Demonstrated technical expertise in at least one of the following areas: SMNRH, public health, health systems, humanitarian health, experimental or observational study design and implementation, research capacity strengthening
• Experience managing donor funded projects and grants and technical input to proposal and budget development and donor reports.
• Experience conducting or supporting primary data collection in challenging environments
• Data analysis skills, both quantitative and qualitative preferred
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Teamwork: Able to work with remote, multi-cultural, and multi-disciplinary teams
• Ability to work with minimal supervision on specific projects

Job Overview

The Grants & Budget Manager will join Airbel’s operations team to help us deliver high-quality grants management across our portfolio. Reporting to the Grants & Operations Coordinator, you will work closely with Airbel technical and project leads, in-country and HQ grants staff, finance, and business development teams to ensure timely and accurate grant reporting, maintain grant records, lead the proposal process for new grants, and ensure compliance with donor grant agreements. You will also support our business development and department planning through portfolio financial strategy and analysis, coordinating staffing allocations and helping us identify and resolve project risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead proposal development process: Create proposal development workplans and coordinate inputs across HQ, country teams, and partners, work with technical leads to develop budgets for grant proposals, and ensure we are meeting donor compliance and IRC review processes.
• Review, track, and analyze expenditures for assigned Airbel grants; prepare and review Budget vs Actual reports on a monthly basis to ensure expenses are in line with grant requirements.
• Lead the effective setup and management of grants processes, including facilitating Project Opening Meetings, creation of procurement and spending plans with project leads, alignment of roles and responsibilities, and review and internal monitoring schedules.
• Create spending plans and support expenditure according to projections; hold monthly meetings with project teams to review expenditure and update spending plans.
• Coordinate sub-grants with partners: Draft, review, and process sub-awards, develop relationships with sub-grant partners, and monitor partnerships during implementation.
• Ensure that spending adheres to donor terms and conditions and IRC compliance policies throughout project implementation. Work with relevant Airbel and HQ-based finance staff to ensure accuracy of grant financial reports.
• Coordinate with grants staff across other IRC departments and country programs to track and allocate Airbel staff funding in grants led by other units.
• Maintain high-quality knowledge and information management by maintaining up to date grant files.

Demonstrated Skills And Competencies

• Minimum 2-3 years of related work experience managing grants, running budgets, and project management.
• Experience in supporting funding proposals for humanitarian/development projects from governmental, institutional and research-focused donors across multiple sectors such as health, education and protection.
• Experience supporting complex grants and projects throughout implementation, including compliance, monitoring and reporting processes.
• Excellent budget management skills including budget development, tracking expenses and developing spending plans; with high proficiency in Excel.
• Experience of working with local partners, including monitoring and capacity building.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: able to effectively collaborate with a variety of people in a multi-cultural environment and across various time zones.
• The ability to work independently and productively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills.
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written is required.

Bonus If You Also Have

• Fluency in French, Spanish or Arabic.
• Experience with large public funders (such as FCDO, USAID, SIDA, ECHO, etc.)