Junior Researcher

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a humanitarian organization founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein. The IRC's mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The organization operates in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, providing support to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC reaches over a million children annually with education and child protection programs in 25 countries around the world. The Education technical unit within the IRC defines the vision and strategic priorities for all of IRC’s education programs, ensuring they are technically sound and achieving desired outcomes through evidence-based and contextually relevant technical support.

Job Overview:
The Junior Researcher position is situated within the Airbel Impact Lab and is designed to support the Education Unit across various research projects. This role is primarily focused on data management and analysis, which includes cleaning and processing both quantitative and qualitative datasets. The Junior Researcher will synthesize findings into clear and accessible reports tailored for diverse audiences. This position presents an excellent opportunity for an early-career researcher to gain hands-on experience in humanitarian education research. The role reports to the Senior Researcher for Education in the Airbel Impact Lab and collaborates closely with the Education Technical Unit, contributing to the advancement of research priorities and the dissemination of research findings.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Junior Researcher will conduct quantitative and qualitative research activities across multiple education research projects. Responsibilities include cleaning, organizing, managing, and analyzing data to ensure data quality and integrity, as well as producing high-quality reports for diverse audiences. The role also involves supporting implementation research studies to assess whether education interventions are delivered as intended, with appropriate quality and fidelity, and evaluating their potential cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the Junior Researcher will support randomized control trials to identify the impact of interventions on children's foundational learning and wellbeing. The position requires collaboration with colleagues within the Education team, Research team, and R&D team, as well as other IRC departments in support of research activities. Other related duties may be assigned as necessary.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Education, Economics, Statistics, or a related field. A strong knowledge of quantitative research methods, including inferential statistics and qualitative approaches, is essential. Exposure to implementation research and causal inference is also required. Demonstrated experience in data cleaning, management, and analysis is necessary, with proficiency in at least one statistical or data analysis tool such as Stata, R, or Python. Familiarity with qualitative data methods, including thematic analysis and content analysis, is desirable. Strong written communication skills are crucial, particularly the ability to present research findings clearly and accessibly for non-specialist audiences. Experience drafting reports, summaries, or briefs is considered an asset. Strong organizational skills are required to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced team environment.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree is required for this position, specifically in fields such as Education, Economics, Statistics, or related disciplines. This educational background ensures that candidates have the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to engage in research activities effectively.

Experience:
Candidates should have up to three years of experience in research, data analysis, or a related field. Relevant internship, academic research, or volunteer experience will also be considered valuable. This level of experience is essential to ensure that the candidate can contribute effectively to the research projects and support the Education Unit's objectives.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages, particularly French or Arabic, is preferred and considered advantageous for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote and is open to internal candidates based in countries where IRC operates, provided they have the right to work in their location. Successful candidates will be hired on a local employment contract and according to the local salary scale. The compensation for this role ranges from $80,000 to $95,000 per year, based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers will be calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience, and skills relative to the defined job requirements. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All IRC workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct, which include Integrity, Service, Equality, and Accountability.