Position: REACH Researcher-Markets and Livelihoods -Sudan
Duty Station: Nairobi
Starting Date: November 2026
Type of Contract: Fixed Term
BACKGROUND ON IMPACT
Created in 2010, IMPACT is a Geneva-based NGO and the largest independent data provider in contexts of crisis. IMPACT aims to support a range of stakeholders in making better, more informed decisions in humanitarian, stabilization, and development settings. Through our team of assessment, data, geospatial, and thematic specialists, IMPACT promotes the design of people-centred research and set standards for collecting and analysing rigorous, high-quality data in complex environments. Over the past 15 years, IMPACT has been growing in size and geographic reach to become one of the largest humanitarian research agencies in the humanitarian sector.
IMPACT's teams implement assessment, monitoring, evaluation, and organizational capacity-building programmes in direct partnership with aid actors. IMPACT's team is composed of over 200 full-time international experts as well as a roster of consultants, who are currently implementing over 50 programmes in over 30 countries across Africa, Middle East and North Africa, Central and South-east Asia, and Eastern Europe.
We are currently looking for a REACH Researcher – Markets and Livelihoods -Sudan to support our Sudan team.
SUDAN COUNTRY PROFILE
Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in Khartoum on 15 April 2023 and spread quickly across the country. Civilians have fled areas affected by fighting in large numbers, including to Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. Prices of food, fuel and other basic goods have skyrocketed skyrocketing, making critical goods unaffordable for many people. Half of Sudan’s population are in need of humanitarian assistance, and the country is on the verge of a catastrophic hunger crisis. Humanitarian organizations are racing to respond to the most pressing needs wherever and whenever feasible, with access issues complicating the ability of actors to respond. In this fast-evolving context, IMPACT Initiatives is working to inform the emergency response to enable effective prioritization with scarce resources.
POSITION PROFILE
As part of the Systems Strengthening and Localization Unit and under the joint supervision of the Senior Assessment Officer (SAO) for Markets and the SAO for Livelihoods, the REACH Researcher is responsible for supporting the implementation of the Markets and Livelihoods research cycles in Sudan, including research design, data collection, analysis and the production of research outputs, as well as technical support to partners on their own market and livelihood assessments.
Key Responsibilities
- Support all stages of the research cycle, including secondary data review, research design, tool development, data collection, analysis and report production.
- Conduct market systems and livelihoods research, including market functionality, supply and value chains, trader networks, labour demand and household livelihood strategies.
- Develop quantitative and qualitative data collection tools, sampling plans and analysis plans under the guidance of the relevant Senior Assessment Officers.
- Support enumerator and partner training, monitor data collection and ensure data quality and protection standards are followed.
- Analyze and triangulate primary and secondary data to identify market trends, livelihood opportunities, constraints and evidence gaps.
- Produce clear research outputs, including market briefs, livelihood profiles, analytical reports, presentations and lessons learned.
- Provide technical support to partners on assessment design, data collection tools, indicators and analytical approaches.
- Support coordination with research teams, GIS and data teams, humanitarian actors and relevant market and livelihoods platforms.
- Contribute to joint analysis, harmonization of partner assessment tools and dissemination of findings to relevant stakeholders.
- Monitor the changing context in Sudan and maintain an understanding of market conditions, supply routes, prices and livelihood trends.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- A master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, such as Economics, Development Studies, International Studies, Data Science, Political Science or a related field.
- At least three years of relevant professional experience in humanitarian or development research, assessments, monitoring and evaluation, or data analysis.
- Demonstrated experience in market systems analysis, market or value chain assessments, labour market analysis or livelihoods research.
- Practical experience in qualitative and quantitative research design, data collection, analysis and development of research tools.
- Strong analytical, report-writing and presentation skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Familiarity with KoBo and statistical analysis software such as R, SPSS or STATA is an advantage.
- Ability to manage multiple research activities, meet deadlines and coordinate effectively with teams and partners, including remotely.
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Strong working knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.
- Experience working in Sudan or the wider region, and familiarity with humanitarian coordination mechanisms are desirable.
- Ability to work in a complex and challenging security environment.
- Valid documentation authorizing the candidate to work in Kenya is mandatory.