We are currently looking for a Senior Researcher – Acute Needs Analysis (ANA) to support our Sudan team.

SUDAN COUNTRY PROFILE

Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in Khartoum on 15 April 2023 and spread quickly across the country. Civilians have fled areas affected by fighting in large numbers, including to Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. Prices of food, fuel and other basic goods have skyrocketed skyrocketing, making critical goods unaffordable for many people. Half of Sudan’s population are in need of humanitarian assistance, and the country is on the verge of a catastrophic hunger crisis. Humanitarian organizations are racing to respond to the most pressing needs wherever and whenever feasible, with access issues complicating the ability of actors to respond. In this fast-evolving context, IMPACT Initiatives is working to inform the emergency response to enable effective prioritization with scarce resources.

POSITION PROFILE
Under the line management of the Research Manager, the Senior Researcher will lead the delivery of the Acute Needs Analysis at country level in Sudan.

The Senior Researcher will be responsible for reviewing and synthesizing available evidence, applying IMPACT's analytical frameworks, identifying critical gaps and producing clear, concise and actionable analysis to support humanitarian prioritization and decision-making.

The position will work closely with assessment, data, GIS and design colleagues to ensure that analytical findings are robust, clearly communicated and translated into high-quality external products. The Senior Researcher will also engage with relevant humanitarian stakeholders, including clusters, UN agencies, NGOs and donors to strengthen the relevance and uptake of the analysis.

RESPONSIBILITIES
DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYTICAL PRODUCT - ACUTE NEEDS ANALYSIS
Lead the implementation and delivery of the analysis project at the country level, in coordination with the HQ programme team.
Align the rollout with global schedules and ensure adherence to REACH analytical standards.
Develop and maintain a strong stakeholder mapping and a network of collaborators at country level to enhance contextual understanding / monitoring.
Ensure development of user-centered products and, where relevant, support joint analysis with relevant stakeholders.
2. DATA REVIEW AND CONSOLIDATION

Collect and synthesize relevant secondary data from REACH assessments, UN agencies, INGOs, and public datasets (e.g., OCHA, FEWS NET, IPC), including via building and maintaining necessary relationships.
Evaluate data reliability and identify critical gaps.
Support decisions on the need for targeted, light-touch primary data collection.
3. ANALYTICAL PROCESS AND INTERPRETATION

Apply REACH global analytical guidance to produce structured, consistent, and context-relevant analysis of acute needs analysis.
Use defined frameworks (e.g. Risk of Excess Mortality) to identify areas at risk of large-scale loss of life and estimate the number of people experiencing life-threatening conditions
Clearly document assumptions, limitations, and analytical reasoning.
4. OUTPUT PRODUCTION AND DISSEMINATION

Draft the Acute Needs Analysis brief using standardized global templates and language.
Collaborate with GIS and design colleagues to include maps, caseload tables, and other visual aids.
Ensure internal review and validation of the product before dissemination.
Present findings to clusters, working groups, and donors as needed.
As needed, support the development of Global Key Messages based on country level findings.
5. LEARNING, INNOVATION, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

Participate in lessons-learned reviews and propose improvements to global analysis processes and guidance.
Contribute to organisational learning on running analysis workstreams and contribute to reflections and development of additional analytical workstreams, in collaboration with country and global counterparts.
Support internal knowledge sharing and analytical training at the country level.
Stay updated on sectoral best practices and innovations in humanitarian analysis.
The (Senior) Researcher 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 REACH and its partners, or collected during his/her assignment with REACH.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
3 years of relevant working experience in a humanitarian setting, such as analysis, assessments, monitoring and evaluation and research design etc. with direct in-country experience;
Excellent academic qualifications, including a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g. international development studies / international relations, humanitarian response, data science, political science, etc.);
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills with experience of interpreting complex data and producing clear, actionable insights.
Strong writing skills and experience producing clear, concise briefs for external audiences.
Proficiency in Excel, with experience of an additional analytical tool (e.g. PowerBI, SPSS, R, STATA, or Python) and an understanding of basic GIS processes and outputs an asset.
Familiarity with different qualitative and quantitative research methods, with the ability to evaluate the quality of different data sources.
Understanding of humanitarian coordination systems, including HPC and inter-agency needs analysis and assessments.
Contextual knowledge is an asset. Please highlight in your application if you have experience working in one or more of the potential contexts listed below
COMMUNICATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

Ability to manage complex workflows and deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.
Experience engaging with external stakeholders (e.g. clusters, donors, UN agencies).
Fluency in English required; competency in Arabic is an asset
Comfortable working in cross-cultural, fast-paced environments.
Sound judgment and emotional intelligence in high-pressure or sensitive situations, strong interpersonal awareness and the ability to respond constructively to feedback and shifting priorities.
Previous completion of HEAT (Hostile Environment Awareness Training) is an asset.

Qualified Kenyan nationals with the required skills are invited to submit their applications accompanied by detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter as a single document i.e. with the cover letter being on the first page and the CV starting on the second page, detailing three work related referees and contacts with the subject line 'Senior Researcher-Sudan'

Please do not attach any other documents while sending your applications, if required they will be requested at a later stage.