Researcher/Project Manager at Samuel Hall
Migration and Displacement Pillar
Samuel Hall is seeking an experienced and professional Researcher with a proven academic record to join its Migration and Displacement Pillar for a full-time position based in our Nairobi office. Researchers have the opportunity to apply their research skills by leading research projects in Africa, and globally across Samuel Hall’s areas of operation in Asia, Africa and Europe. Researchers work on desk reviews, key informant interviews, and conduct extensive fieldwork with implementers and beneficiaries to collect data and analyse results. Researchers also contribute to the strategic development of the Migration Pillar by applying for grants and proposals, attending international conferences, and participating in the dissemination of our research. There is a strong potential for in-country and international travel.
Who we are: Objective and Ethos
Samuel Hall is an independent think tank specialised in field research and social impact. We provide practicable insights to challenging issues in the developing world by providing academic-standard research through primary data collection in areas where researchers do not commonly go. Samuel Hall works with governments, donors, multilateral organisations and INGOs, as well public and private sector entities. We have worked with more than sixty-five organisations worldwide since 2009 through our offices in Afghanistan, Kenya and Somalia covering Asia and Africa.
At the Migration and Displacement Pillar, we produce knowledge and data on population movements in and out of countries of origin, transit and destination. Using quantitative and qualitative, participatory research with migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons, we build evidence on their social environment, protection, livelihoods, contributions and aspirations. We use this evidence to deliver training and capacity building to actors shaping the lives of migrants, and to design programmes and policies that adhere to international frameworks. Our approach is inductive and contextually relevant. We are known for our expertise and seek researchers with expertise in:
• Migration
• Migration and development
• Irregular migration
• Migration-employment nexus
• Labour migration and mobility
• Policy development
• Displacement
• Internal Displacement
• Forced migration
• Smuggling and Trafficking
• Return and reintegration, including post-return outcomes, voluntary and involuntary returns
• Durable solutions
WORK ENVIRONMENT: We are a rapidly growing research organisation: you will be expected to growth with us and carve out your own spot in the team. We look for pro-active, creative individuals who can identify opportunities to make their mark, and identify solutions to problems. We believe in hiring people who can show their ability to be both strong leaders and reliable followers, who have skills that our team currently lacks and who join us to add value from the very start. We hire people who can expand our knowledge, and help us reach our social impact objective in their field of expertise. We work in a fast-paced, demanding and challenging environment: you will need thick skin, passion and dedication!
Vacancy Requirements
Applicants will need to possess and demonstrate the following qualifications and transferable skills:
• Advanced university degree with a minimum of four years of higher education; preferably with a current university affiliation as a research affiliae or associate
• Master’s or PhD in a topic related to migration and displacement in Africa, and specifically on at least one of our sub-areas of thematic expertise is highly desirable
• Extensive knowledge of the academic literature on migration and displacement
• Engaged with the latest academic and policy debates on migration and displacement
• At least five years of research experience
• Complete written and oral fluency in English; Exceptional English writing skills
• Second language is an asset and should be linked to areas of Samuel Hall’s operations
• Proven experience working in an academic research setting
• Proven knowledge of conducting quantitative and qualitative data analysis using NVivo, SPSS, STATA, or Excel
• Keen attention to detail; Pro-active
• Ability to adapt and work well within a team
• Ability to cope well under pressure, work occasionally irregular hours and meet tight deadlines.
Tasks to be performed
RESEARCH
• Assume all responsibilities of the project cycle from A to Z, with the assistance of Project Officers and Research Assistants, under the guidance of the Migration and Development Pillar Lead.
• Support the Migration and Displacement Pillar Lead as needed
• Design analytical and conceptual frameworks
• Develop research methodologies, including sampling methods and tools
• Conduct secondary research, literature reviews and key informant interviews
• Conduct fieldwork in Africa and Central Asia, depending on security and prior decision
• Oversee fieldwork planning
• Analyse data, transcribe notes, write reports and present at client meetings
• Provide advances qualitative and quantitative analysis and recommendations in line with policy and academic standards
• Cover various topics and themes related to migration and displacement, including smuggling and trafficking, migration and development, diaspora engagement for development, return and reintegration, and durable solutions.
TRAINING
• Provide training sessions to sensitize internal and external stakeholders on migration issues
• Promote the capacity building agenda through training of civil society actors, government, stakeholders
• Framework and fundamentals of migration, legal tools
• Concepts and definitions
• Humanitarian work and displacement trends
• Development work and migration trends
• Design and expand migration and displacement related training programmes using different media
• Research innovative methodologies for migration and displacement field research
OUTREACH
• Apply for project proposals and grants as needed
• Support the Migration and Displacement Pillar Lead to develop partnerships, dissemination, strategic expansion
• Put forward editorial ideas for dissemination work (including drafting blog entries, articles, papers on the basis of on-going and published pieces, and identifying the right forum and timing for such publications, in line with on-going events, national/regional/global policy dialogues on migration)
• Represent Samuel Hall in national and international meetings on migration and displacement
Summary of Job Description
• Employer
• Samuel Hal
• Location
• Nairobi, Kenya
• Contract duration
• Start date: between January and March 2017
• One or two year contract with a three-month trial period (renewable)
• Gender
• Any
• Nationality
• Any
• Salary
• Commensurate on experience and fitting to the Samuel Hall salary grid standards
• Preferred background, candidates with degrees in the following fields are encouraged to apply:
• Migration Policy
• Development
• Law
• Statistics
• Social Science
• Etc
• Minimum Qualifications
• Master’s Degree required
• PhD desirable
• Academic affiliation desirable (research affiliate or associate level upwards)
HOW TO APPLY:
All applicants should send their full application, all as separate PDF files, clearly labelled to:
careers@samuelhall.org
Full application entails:
• Subject Line: “Name of Applicant – Migration Pillar Academic Researcher”
• CV. Labelled “CV – Name of Applicant”
• Cover Letter outlining how academic background and interest fits the job description. Labelled “CL – Name of Applicant”
• Three writing samples of relevant work, preferably academic standards. Labelled “Writing Sample 1 – Name of Applicant”, …