Since 2018, Ethiopia has witnessed an escalation in unrest including large-scale displacement, killings, and destruction of property following domestic political changes. Such unrest has exacerbated the impact of climate-related crises, including the most devastating desert locust infestation in 25 years, which has damaged crops and fostered food insecurity. In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic infiltrated Ethiopia leading to lockdowns and transport bans in many regions that restricted access to markets. Then in November 2020, conflict erupted in the northern Tigray region, displacing many Ethiopians, and contributing to an approximate 1.1 million additional people needing assistance in Amhara, Afar and Tigray regions. In August 2023, conflict in Amhara resulted in a state of emergency declaration and restricted movement for citizens across the region. All of these events have severely disrupted livelihoods, affected the availability of staple market commodities, and threatened to sharply escalate humanitarian need for vulnerable populations across the country.

POSITION PROFILE

Under the line management of the IMPACT Research Manager or his/her delegates in Ethiopia, the Senior Assessment Officer is responsible for the implementation of IMPACT’s research cycles in country, including the preparation, data collection, analysis, drafting, dissemination and evaluation stages. Throughout research cycles, the Senior Assessment Officer engages with partners to promote their participation and maximize their impact. He/she also ensures an efficient and transparent use of resources required for project implementation. This can include the direct supervision of assessment teams.

In his/her mission, the Senior Assessment Officer will be hosted by IMPACT’s global partner ACTED and will fall under the direct responsibility and management of ACTED’s Country Director and his/her delegates for all Administrative, Security, and relevant Logistics and Finance issues. S/he will therefore fully abide to ACTED’s Security, Administration, and relevant HR, Logistics and Finance rules and regulations.

In her/his mission, the Senior Assessment Officer will support the implementation of the service capabilities assessment in Ethiopia. This assessment will take place in multiple regions and will be the primary project in the Senior Assessment Officer’s portfolio for the first 6 months of their contract. This project will require in-depth external engagement stakeholders and internal coordination with all units operating within the Ethiopia team. This project is a multi-phase project, focusing on WASH, Health, Nutrition and Education services in hotspot areas nationwide.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Assessment Officer’s responsibilities include:

RESEARCH CYCLE MANAGEMENT
Understanding key research cycles and how this research contributes to strategic response objectives.
Managing relevant research cycle, including oversight of research design, data collection, or analysis.
CONTEXTUAL UNDERSTANDING
Keeping up to date with the shifting Ethiopian context.
RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL SKILLS
Overseeing development and implementation of analytical workstreams, including use of existing REACH data in thematic briefs, reports, presentations, etc.
Leading the research cycle including research design, tool development, and data collection.
STAFF MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING
Promoting capacity building across the IMPACT Ethiopia mission related to deepening analytical capacities using existing research (capacity building portfolio will depend on level of experience).
Providing day-to-day direct and indirect management of the research team within their unit/workstream.
COORDINATION
Internal Coordination
Interacting autonomously with HQ departments and may serve as mission focal point for particular themes or technical areas;
Coordinating with research units and teams to move forward or improve aspects of the research cycle;
Supporting senior management with designing, planning, and implementing strategies, and objectives.