Research Assistant

Research Assistant

Location: Warsaw, Poland

Company: Plan International

Role Purpose

Plan International Poland, as part of the Ukraine Crisis Response strategy 2023-2024, has the ambition is to amplify and add value to civil society partners’ integrated humanitarian programming aimed at reducing the vulnerabilities and risks refugees, displaced and conflict-affected people are facing inside Ukraine and neighbouring host countries, particularly targeting girls, young people and minority or non-dominant groups, to increase their resilience, wellbeing and agency. Plan International is responding to the crisis in Ukraine and working in partnership with civil society organisations in Poland, Romania, and Moldova to meet the key needs of those affected by the crisis as well as host communities.

Safer Cities for Girls is Plan International’s flagship programme for Girls’ rights that aims to change the narrative of how adolescent girls experience public spaces. The programme’s goal is to build safe, accountable, and inclusive cities with and for adolescent girls. The expected outcomes include increased safety and access to public spaces, increased active and meaningful participation in urban development and governance and increased autonomous mobility in the city for girls. For more information about the Safer Cities for Girls programme please visit here. Plan International’s Safer Cities for Girls programme currently operates in eight global capitals, including in locations where there are high numbers of urban refugees. Plan International Poland believe Individual, regardless of age or gender, has the right to live in a safe and secure environment. Adolescent girls, who are among the most vulnerable to violence and harassment in public spaces, deserve to navigate their cities without fear.

To operationalize the strategy, Plan International Poland is planning to conduct a research project to understand the specific needs of girls and young women both displaced and host community in all their diversity (incl. girls and young women of colour, LGBTQIA+, Roma etc.) in Polish urban settings regarding their safety in the city and their participation in these issues, and to accordingly adapt and expand our urban programming. The research assistant will support the Research Manager on specific aspects of the research and be responsible for the key deliverables below:

Dimensions of the role

1.  Support in Desk Research:
   • Assist the Research Manager in conducting extensive literature review, data collection, and preliminary data analysis.
   • Help in synthesizing information to support the development of a final report.
2.  Assistance in Training Co-researchers:
   • Support the development and delivery of training modules for co-researchers, under the guidance of the Research Manager.
   • Aid in creating an inclusive environment for co-researchers, facilitating their active participation in research activities.
3.  Participatory Research Assistance:
   • Assist in the organization and facilitation of participatory research activities, under the direction of the Research Manager.
   • Coordinate logistics and administrative tasks to support the smooth execution of the research .
4.  Support in Qualitative Data Analysis:
   • Aid in analyzing qualitative data, using prescribed methodologies and tools.
   • Assist in organizing and preparing data for analysis and report generation.
5.  Reporting and Documentation Support:
   • Assist in preparing reports and presentations under the supervision of the Research Manager.
   • Maintain organized records of research activities, findings, and outcomes.

Accountabilities

• • Support in Upholding Research Integrity:
    • Assist in ensuring research is conducted ethically and with integrity, adhering to Plan International and global ethical research established guidelines and standards.
    • Contribute to maintaining the accuracy and reliability of research data.
  • Training and Development Support:
    • Support the Research Manager in training co-researchers, ensuring effective skill development.
    • Assist in monitoring and evaluating training program effectiveness.
  • Project Management Assistance:
    • Help in managing project timelines and deliverables, ensuring support tasks are completed as scheduled.
    • Assist in liaising with stakeholders to ensure alignment of project goals.
  • Data Analysis Support:
    • Provide assistance in qualitative data analysis, contributing to insightful interpretations under supervision of the Research Manager.
    • Help in the preparation of research papers and reports for the project ‘Safer Cities’.
  • Communication and Collaboration:
    • Facilitate communication within the team and with external stakeholders as directed by the Research Manager.
    • Assist in presenting research findings and updates to various audiences as needed.
  • Compliance and Reporting:
    • Adhere to institutional and legal research guidelines, providing necessary support in compliance matters.
    • Regularly report to the Research Manager on progress and any issues encountered.

Key relationships

• Research Manager
• Project Manager
• Project Officer
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Specialist
• Programme & Implementation Manager

Essential Knowledge

• Knowledge of Polish, English and Ukrainian language would be a plus.

Essential Skills

• Ability to build and maintain strong working internal and external relationships and represent Plan International in a professional manner
• Administration, information management and telecommunication skills
• Proficiency in information technology and computer skills
• Proficency in working with MAXQDA software
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as a team player

Essential Behaviours

• Demonstratable understanding of, and commitment to, equal opportunities, gender equality and diversity
• Ability to be planned and organised within a fluid working environment and have the capacity for initiative decision-making
• Works with integrity and has a clear commitment to Plan International’s core values and humanitarian principles
• Plan International has zero tolerance of fraud and corruption. We require all staff to act honestly and with integrity, and to safeguard the assets for which they are responsible at all times

Desirable

• Experience in conducting desk research
• Experience in participatory research projects

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organisation by being open, honest, and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others, while doing what we say we will do.

We strive for lasting impact

We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.

We work well together

We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organization, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our partners.

We are inclusive and empowering

We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge inequality in our programmes and our workplace. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.

Physical Environment

Typical office environment

Level of contact with children

Low contact: No contact or very low frequency of interaction

Location: To be confirmed

Type of Role: Fixed Term contract TBA

Reports to: Direct line to Research Manager

Closing Date: 29th of February 2024

As this is a fast recruitment, we encourage interested applicants to submit their application as soon it’s possible. Please note that interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.