JOB TITLE: Research and MEAL Coordinator (Yemen) 
LINE MANAGER JOB TITLE: Chief of Party 
DEPARTMENT: Operations  
LOCATION: Aden, Yemen, Remotely 
DIRECT REPORTS JOB TITLE(S):  N/A
DATE    August 2022

ABOUT ARK:

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity, and hope for the future.

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

Learn more about our impact here: https://www.ark.international/impact 

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

ARK is looking for a Research and MEAL Coordinator. The position will work on a Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups (CAAFAG) program seeking to strengthen community resilience to armed recruitment in Yemen. The programme will prioritize building community awareness, prevention and reintegration mechanisms, and reconciliation, positively engage children and youth, advance economic empowerment opportunities to limit the drivers of recruitment, and care for individuals’ psychological and emotional needs through psychosocial and mental health support, including specialized assistance and referral services for women and girls who experience high rates of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Yemen. 

The Research and MEAL Coordinator will support both the program’s research and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) activities, ensuring close coordination between both activity strands. The role will contribute to the design of research tools, conduct primary data collection, analysis, and coordinate with local data collection partners. The position will also actively contribute to ARK’s broader Yemen research, MEAL, and business development activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute, in coordination with the Head of Research and other members of the research department, to the design of research project plans, deliverables and data collection tools, such as Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews, questionnaires, field surveys and other participatory research methods;
• Contribute, in coordination with the Chief of Party, Project Coordinator, MEAL Manager and other MEAL colleagues, to the development of MEAL plans, frameworks, Theories of Change (ToCs), indicators, data collection plans and tools, data management, and reporting;
• Assist the Chief of Party, the Project Coordinator, Head of Research and the MEAL Manager in coordinating between research and MEAL activities, planning, utilization of resources, data collection and data management; 
• Clean and analyse primary and secondary data and draft thematic and analytical reports; 
• Participate in the training of enumerators and assist with supervision of data collectors and field researchers and associated protocols and quality control mechanisms;
• Tabulate descriptive statistics and prepare charts and tables;
• Edit and review research and MEAL outputs and deliverables produced by other members of the team; 
• Maintain situational awareness by keeping abreast of relevant socio-political, economic and security developments in Yemen, which may directly or indirectly impact data collection and project implementation activities; 
• Monitor social media and mainstream online media and collect, analyse and manage data from monitoring activities; 
• Review and synthesize relevant scholarly and specialist material from academic journals, policy institutes/think tanks and international organisations;
• Contribute to the preparation of project-related presentations and attend meetings and calls with research clients and/or other relevant stakeholders;

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

Essential

• University Degree in a relevant field (Sociology, Social Work, Development, Conflict, Anthropology, Political Science, International Relations, Area Studies, or a related discipline);
• Minimum 3 years of experience conducting primary data collection, applied research, and/or monitoring and evaluation activities in Yemen;
• Full professional proficiency in Arabic and advanced proficiency in English;  
• Understanding of Theories of Change, Key Performance Indicators, Results Frameworks and other MEAL approaches and tools; 
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and accuracy;
• Advanced computer literacy/skills;
• Experience utilising qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis.

Desirable 

• Interest in and knowledge of data management processes and relevant software.
• Experience in conflict sensitivity and gender; 
• Experience with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programming;
• Familiarity with relevant software such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and data visualisation tools;

MORE ABOUT OUR COMPANY:

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

Our People 

Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organisations, journalism and the private sector.

An ARK Person Is: 

Smart: We think deeply about things. We’re proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.

Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognise our limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.

Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.

Collegiate: We know we are stronger together, and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.

Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges, and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren’t afraid to share our opinions and we want to hear those of others too.

ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the centre of its development and stabilisation work and is thus committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related-personnel are expected to share this commitment, and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.