Research Officer

Position title: GISF Research Officer

Location: Washington, Maryland, Virginia

ChildFund office: IO

Manager/Supervisor title: GISF Deputy Director

Position type: Full-time fixed term

Work environment: Hybrid-Washington DC

About GISF & ChildFund
Global Interagency Security Forum (GISF) is an independent NGO peer-support network established in 2006 to provide a platform for global security focal points to share experiences, knowledge, and learning. GISF is dedicated to improving the protection of aid workers and operations, to achieve sustainable access to populations in need.
Recognizing that NGOs need to develop expertise in security risk management (SRM) in order to deliver aid effectively in unpredictable operating environments, GISF’s vision is to continue to grow as a global hub for humanitarian security risk management for NGOs and other stakeholders that impact on security risk management in the humanitarian space.
Over the past 17 years, GISF has created a center of excellence that gathers and disseminates good practice in SRM to improve policy and practice. GISF collaborates with a range of experts within and beyond the sector to ensure a coordinated approach and maximize gains for the whole sector. GISF crafts innovative research, hosts original training and events, and maintains a 'one-stop-shop' for security risk management in the humanitarian sector through its online hub.
ChildFund employs staff for GISF's Americas functions and contributes to global activities, serving as the prime recipient of a BHA award that funds GISF activities. ChildFund also provides a sub-award to GISF's headquarters in Europe.
ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization that works in 23 countries to connect children with the people, resources and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe, no matter where they are.

ChildFund’s Values
ChildFund values a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment where everyone is welcomed and celebrated equally. In our culture of connection, you will have ample opportunity to grow, learn, and lead while contributing your talents and innovations to our inspiring mission.

ChildFund’s Commitment
ChildFund International has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) and all other forms of harm by its staff, partners, and other representatives in the delivery of its mission and services for children. ChildFund is committed to creating a safe environment in the workplace as well as in the communities where it delivers programs and services. ChildFund expects every staff member, partner, and representative to adhere to this commitment and to ensure all organizational policies and standards are followed.

About This Role
The Research Officer will play a key support role in the production of high-quality publications. The role will be primarily responsible for coordinating the end-to-end commissioning of research products, contributing to the preparation of research proposals, leading tendering processes and liaising with peer-review groups and external consultants, ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines and research standards. The Research Officer will also support research projects by undertaking literature reviews and desk-based research. Collaborating closely with the communications teams, the Research Officer will actively participate in the dissemination of research evidence, providing critical insights and synthesizing complex information for effective communication to our members and target audiences.

Required Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Humanitarian, Development, Security, Conflict Studies, Politics, etc.)
• 3-5 years of experience as a research assistant in NGO, think tank, research institute and academia.

Primary Responsibilities
1. Collaborate to the development and completion of research projects.

• Contribute to the project management of GISF’s global research.
• Assist with research outputs:
• Brainstorm new research topics and ideas.
• Ensure that GISF’s research considers the interests and ideas of our members in the Americas.
• Meet regularly with Americas-based members to understand their needs and concerns and incorporate these into GISF’s research products.
• Undertake literature and desk-based reviews as needed.
• Support the tendering processes on identifying consultants to work on GISF’s research products.
• Manage research products, including creating Terms of Reference (TORs), sourcing and managing working groups and peer-review groups, liaising with editors, liaising with graphic designers, tracking deliverables, and meeting budget and administrative requirements on the request of the Deputy Director.
• Support the creation of the research product by conducting research, editing research, and creating graphics, where necessary.
• Monitor allocated areas of the GISF Americas budget.
• Contribute to budget planning, strategic plans, proposal development, and donor reports.

2. Collaborate with research and programmatic up-take, dissemination and communications.

• Work closely with the communications team to coordinate communications plans for research products.
• Support in the effort to measure and increase the impact of GISF research, including liaising with members.
• Support the sourcing of new engagement opportunities with external stakeholders (e.g., research institutes, universities, think tanks, and NGOs) to promote and develop GISF’s research.
• Support the Deputy Director with organizing tailor-made sessions as part of bigger GISF events such as forums, workshops and webinars.
• Write blogs and materials for the GISF website to complement and summarize research products.
• Liaise with the communications team on the editing, formatting/designing and translation of research work.
• On the request on the Deputy Director, support the technical advisor on promoting GISF’s research.
• Work with the communications team making sure that research products are properly marked on the website’s online library.

3. Support the strengthening of GISF’s research data and practice

• Lead on the open-source tracking of SRM indicators to strengthen our data knowledge base.
• Contribute to the monthly M&E tracker under the guidance of the Deputy Director.
• Support the development of comprehensive documentation outlining research standards and protocols, and procedures.
• Support efforts to ensure that key lessons from research are integrated into GISF’s operations and strategy via presentations to staff.

Required Competencies

• Ability to speak, read, and write fluently in English, with excellent writing skills.
• Additional language skill -French or Spanish
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to summarize information and present it through clear and persuasive writing or visual representations.
• Graphic design skills and video editing/multimedia skills (or motivation to develop them)
• Ability to think analytically, critically, and creatively.
• Confident user of digital technology and tools.
• Independence in work and flexibility to changing priorities.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to collaborate within a team environment.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, Google suite, Zoom, and Skype.

Learning and Development opportunity
As part of the role, the Research Officer will be afforded opportunities to

• Feed into and develop original content with guidance from the GISF research and communications team.
• Engage with various stakeholders in the GISF network (academics, security managers of various international NGOs, other humanitarians)
• Attend humanitarian, security, and development sector events (at ODI, Frontline Club, etc.) as well as GISF member events and workshops.
• Contribute to other GISF projects (The GISF Podcast, events, etc.)
• Develop project management skills and receive specialized training.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 3 years

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Washington, DC: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person