1.       INTRODUCTION:

About Expertise France:

Expertise France is a public agency part of the AFD Group, merging six agencies under the supervision of the French Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy and Finance with a strong inter-ministerial vocation. EF offers programme engineering and technical assistance by developing and implementing international cooperation actions worldwide. EF operates in various development and institutional cooperation fields, including safety and security reform, post-crisis/stability, public health, human rights, strengthening of institutions and NGOs, and governance.

Expertise France designs and implements projects which aim to contribute to the balanced development of partner countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and the priorities of France’s external action.

2.       CONTEXT

Syrian conflict

The Syrian conflict is having a devastating and lasting impact on Syria and across the region. With the conflict almost entering its eleventh year, the needs of the affected populations for assistance, including

• million people inside the country and more than 5.6 million refugees plus their overstretched host communities in neighboring countries, are of an unprecedented scale. In 2013, the Syria crisis transformed itself from a humanitarian emergency to a multidimensional and protracted crisis directly affecting several countries in the region - mainly Lebanon and Jordan, but also Iraq, Turkey, and Egypt - whose social and economic capacity to deal with the ever-growing influx of refugees is all but exhausted. All actors involved in the crisis response agree that this massive challenge requires a comprehensive regional response, not only humanitarian aid but also longer-term structural support to host countries and communities, especially as no political solution to the crisis is in sight in the short

Many communities inside Syria face disrupted humanitarian support and quickly deteriorating public services and infrastructure, including the communities of northeast Syria.

3.       EXPERTISE FRANCE IN SYRIA:

Since 2013, Expertise France has been implementing direct non-humanitarian assistance programmes in non-regime-held areas across Syria. EF developed and implemented several stabilization projects targeting conflict-affected communities in Syria through local Syrian NGOs and CSOs with whom EF built strong partnerships. Expertise France’s fields of intervention cover the following sectors: health, livelihoods, early recovery, and capacity development.

Expertise France in Northeast Syria:

Expertise France has been engaged in northeast Syria since the defeat of ISIS with an aim to support the transition to stability. EF stabilization efforts pursue backing the third pillar of France’s stabilization approach that involves improving access to essential services and stimulating economic recovery and livelihoods.

Health recovery in Northeast Syria Project:

Expertise France (EF) developed the "Health Recovery in Northeast Syria" (HERNES) program. The HERNES program was funded jointly by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (French MoEFA) and the European Union (EU). The program was delivered as HERNES 1 between 2019 and 2021 and was extended as HERNES 2 until January 31st, 2023. HERNES 3 represents the third phase of the HERNES program, starting from 1st of February 2023, and planned until 31st of January 2024, funded by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (French MoEFA). The program is delivered in close collaboration with the NES Health Working Group (HWG) and is directly implemented by EF in partnership with its implementing partner (IP). The IP focuses on health service delivery, while EF’s broader approach is harmonization and coordination of healthcare services and  support to capacity building of RMNCH service providers.

Operations Research

As part of the HERNES 3 program, we plan to conduct 3 operational research studies:  

Study 1 -  An assessment of clinical practice focused on diagnosis, and management of commonly occurring reproductive and maternal health morbidities in NES. This will be a case note review with data obtained from CPHC and Hospitals across NES.

Study 2 -  A mapping of the availability and quality of Caesarean Sections (CS)  and Normal Vaginal Deliveries in NES exploring factors that contribute to an increased CS rate and low uptake of vaginal births. This will include a survey, theatre register review and  Focus Group Discussions (FGD)  

Study 3 -  A study on the current scope of practice of midwives working in NES with a view to identifying opportunities and mechanisms for task-shifting. This will include a survey, FGD and Key Informant Interviews (KII)

The Research Officer will work as part of the Team  responsible for  developing and conducting the studies and work with a range of Partners working in NES. Results are expected to be disseminated at national and international level.

4.       PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY / ASSIGNMENT:

The Research Officer will play a crucial role in contributing to accomplishing the three  operational research studies which are planned to take place between June and October 2023. Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, technical supervision of the MEL and Communications Advisor and in close coordination with the Research Lead, the incumbent will be responsible for the  data management aspects within the scope of the research studies which includes but are not limited to:

• Review data collection tools and digitize them using mobile data collection platform.
• Test online data collection tools and ensure well formulated using different languages.
• Coordinate with field team and support enumerators during data collection.
• Daily data quality checks and inform field data collectors accordingly to improve the quality of data.
• Troubleshoot any errors might occur and help enumerators as and when necessary.
• Comprehensive round of cleaning data, ensuring high quality raw data is available with intended sample size.
• Act as focal point with regard to research documentation, organize documents and structure folders and files to back up research materials using a cloud storage.
• Provide descriptive data analysis for the data collected across the three research studies.
• Coordinate with the research team and ensure the data analysis quality meets expectations.
• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

TECHNICAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

• Relevant university degree software engineer or computer science.
• At least 5 years of experience in the fields of research and data management.
• Sound knowledge of research cycle management.
• Experience in working with international NGOs or agencies.
• Proficient in data analysis software such as SPSS, STATA or R.
• Experience in use of qualitative data analysis tools e.g. NVIVO will be an advantage
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Experience in working within a health project is an asset.
• Experience setting up remote mechanisms to undertake the requested
• Ethics and values: demonstrate and safeguard ethics and
• Sound knowledge on data visualization.
• Work in teams: demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural
• High level of flexibility

Only applicants who apply as per the below details will be shortlisted.

• We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage everyone to apply. We particularly encourage women to apply and contribute to our diverse and inclusive work environment
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• Deadline of submission: 10th June 2023 23:59
• All applications must include the following (In English and in PDF format only) :

• Detailed CV
• Cover Letter (explaining suitability for the position)

• Applications should be sent to erbil[email protected] , using the following subject: “Research Officer (SHORT TERM)”
• Expertise France reserves the right to close the announcement prior to the stated deadline as applications are screened on a rolling basis and only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.
• Incomplete applications and wrong title formats will not be considered