The Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is looking for a highly qualified Research Officer to support the Mixed Migration Centre’s research in Europe.

About the Mixed Migration Centre

The MMC is a global network consisting of five regional hubs (Asia-Pacific, East and Southern Africa, Europe, West and North Africa, Latin America and Caribbean) and a global team based in Geneva. The MMC is a leading source for independent and high-quality data, research, analysis and expertise on mixed migration. The MMC aims to increase understanding of mixed migration, to positively impact global and regional migration policies, to inform evidence-based protection responses for people on the move and to stimulate forward thinking in public and policy debates on mixed migration. The MMC’s overarching focus is on human rights and protection for all people on the move. The three overall objectives of the MMC are:

• To contribute to a better, more nuanced, and balanced understanding of mixed migration (knowledge)
• To contribute to evidence-based and better informed migration policies and debates (policy)
• To contribute to effective evidence-based protection responses for people on the move (programming)

The MMC is part of and governed by DRC. MMC regional hubs are hosted within DRC regional offices, but part of the global MMC network. While its institutional link to DRC ensures MMC’s work is grounded in operational reality, it acts as an independent source of data, research, analysis and policy development on mixed migration for policy makers, practitioners, journalists, and the broader humanitarian sector. The position of the MMC does not necessarily reflect the position of DRC. For more information on MMC visit our website (http://www.mixedmigration.org/).

Mixed Migration

Mixed migration refers to cross-border movements of people including refugees fleeing persecution and conflict, victims of trafficking and people seeking better lives and opportunities. Motivated to move by a multiplicity of factors, people engaged in such movements have different legal statuses as well as a variety of vulnerabilities. Although entitled to protection under international human rights law, they are exposed to multiple rights violations along their journey. Those in mixed migration flows travel along similar routes, using similar means of travel – often travelling irregularly and wholly or partially assisted by migrant smugglers.

MMC Europe

In Europe, MMC has been carrying out 4Mi data collection since 2019, and has engaged in a number of other research initiatives and projects, all available here. MMC Europe is now carrying out several new initiatives, focusing on:

• Vulnerabilities to trafficking in persons and return intentions of people displaced from Ukraine in Europe;
• Experience and access to Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) services for undocumented migrants in Western Europe;
• The impact of irregularity on access to services and employment in Italy, Greece and Spain;
• Access to housing of documented and undocumented migrants in Italy, Greece and Malta;
• Migration-related decision making along journeys in Europe and the role of public policy.

Other thematics might arise and MMC research remains agile to respond to pressing needs for evidence-based programming and policy development.

About the job

The overall purpose of the role is to support MMC Europe with qualitative data collection and analysis.

Under the line management of MMC’s Deputy Director and Head of MMC Europe (based in Geneva), the successful candidate will be responsible for developing research tools; conducting interviews, transcribing, data coding and analysis; undertaking desk research; and drafting outputs, including narrative and visuals. The Research Officer will be primarily conducting research into the vulnerabilities to trafficking among people who fled the war in Ukraine. The Research Officer will also lead on the production of the Quarterly Mixed Migration Updates, conduct other research as required, and attend external events to present MMC’s work. Additional support may be requested to support the fundraising and proposal development.

Interested candidates should have a passion for research on issues of mixed migration and understanding the experiences of refugees and migrants as they move to and within Europe. MMC provides opportunities for learning and developing to advance research skills and migration expertise.

Responsibilities

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Research design

• Assist in the development of qualitative research protocols, including analysis plans

Data collection

• Monitor mixed migration contexts/routes/trends
• Conduct desk research and mapping of key stakeholders, informants, organizations etc.
• Contribute to the drafting of data collection tools (e.g. focus group discussion guides, semi-structured interview guides)
• Carry out qualitative data collection: work with colleagues to identify key informants; set up interviews/organize FGDs; conduct interviews/FGDs, both in the field and remotely.

Data management

• Support MMC’s qualitative data management needs, including carrying out transcription and developing transcription protocols.
• Support Information Management staff in activities to assure data protection and data security

Data analysis and visualization

• Carry out qualitative data analysis, including coding and labelling of variables;
• Support with the visualization of data

Drafting and writing

• Draft research outputs (briefings, reports, etc)

Other

• Take notes and write briefings for meetings
• Support MMC’s communications as needed
• Support fundraising as needed by providing inputs to concept notes, proposals and research design
• Support the team with any other tasks related to the running of MMC and its projects.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have experience in conducting research and drafting outputs preferably in English. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Masters in the social sciences
• Knowledge of and experience in research on mixed migration or closely related issues
• At least three years’ experience working in qualitative research;
• Excellent English writing and editing skills; demonstrated ability to synthesize and condense information;
• Fluent in English and French, knowledge of Spanish desirable;
• Demonstrated experience in transcription, coding, and qualitative analysis;
• Strong experience conducting focus groups is an asset;
• Experience in NVIVO, ATLAS or a similar software;
• Previous experience working with international NGOs;
• Enthusiastic about learning, pushing limits, and finding new solutions;
• Strong verbal and written communication aptitude;
• Strong attention to details and rigor in dealing with data.
• Cooperative attitude, working well in a team

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 12-month contract (renewable upon funding)

Band: Band H

Designation of Duty Station: Brussels, Belgium. MMC may be able to host the position at another DRC office in Europe (this includes Copenhagen, Denmark, Torino, Italy and Geneva, Switzerland). Travel will be required for data collection. Applicant must have the right to work in at least one of these duty stations.

Start date: As soon as possible

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 21 August 2023

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.