Research Оfficer

Pact Inc. seeks candidates to fill the position of Research Officer for the USAID/Enhance Non-Governmental Actors and Grassroots Engagement (ENGAGE) activity in Ukraine.

Pact is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and is dedicated to the fair and equal treatment of all employees without regard to gender, race, color, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, disability, or marital status. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

Supervisor:  Senior Communication Officer

Job type: Full time

Duration: one year with possibility of the extension

 Pact Overview 

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. The promise of a healthy life. Of a decent livelihood. Of sustainable natural resources that benefit communities. Now more than ever in its 50-year history, Pact is helping millions of people who are poor and marginalized discover and build their own solutions and take ownership over their future.

Pact enables systemic solutions that allow those who are poor and marginalized to earn a dignified living, be healthy, and take part in the benefits that nature provides. Pact accomplishes this by strengthening local capacity, forging effective governance systems, and transforming markets into a force for development.

About the ENGAGE activity

Pact, a non-profit organization based in Kyiv, Ukraine, is implementing a USAID-funded project Enhance Non-Governmental Actors and Grassroots Engagement (ENGAGE) activity.

The purpose of ENGAGE is to increase citizen awareness of and engagement in civic activities at the national, regional and local level. ENGAGE focuses efforts at both the grassroots level to educate and activate citizens to engage in civic initiatives as well as the national and (oblast and rayon) levels to improve organizational capacities, build coalitions, support advocacy and watchdog initiatives. The ENGAGE activity primarily focuses on key democratic reforms and cross- cutting themes, such as: anti-corruption, decentralization, government transparency and accountability including electoral processes, inclusive development of persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, intersex and other vulnerable groups, youth and EU integration. To address citizen demands for anti-corruption reforms ENGAGE maintains anti-corruption focus on all its program components.

Position Purpose 

This position requires an individual with strong analytical skills, thinking and working politically mindset, a deep understanding of political science, and the ability to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research. The Research Officer will collaborate closely with the Learning and Communications Team, external consultants, and other stakeholders. The Research Officer is to provide critical, insightful and relevant analysis that informs programmatic decisions and supports ENGAGE’s mission of promoting Ukraine’s democratic reforms through civic awareness and engagement. In addition, it is expected that the Research Officer will contribute to ENGAGE’s broader work on issues related to Ukraine’s political and economic landscape.

The Research Officer will support all learning-related tasks, including data collection, analysis, and learning. S/he contributes to USAID/ENGAGE strategic communication and program implementation by producing evidence-based analyses addressing political-economy and other contextual developments affecting operations of USAID/ENGAGE at its CSO partners. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Support ENGAGE’s Learning Agenda: Under the supervision of the Senior Strategic Communication Adviser and in close cooperation with communication and program departments, support ENGAGE’s learning efforts and contribute to ENGAGE’s learning agenda.
• Conduct Policy Analysis: Utilize quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques, including political economy analysis, to interpret political trends, public opinion and outcomes of policy changes initiated by ENGAGE partners or legislation influencing their operational environment. Provide analysis on the potential outcomes of different policy decisions, in particular, those connected with Ukraine’s EU integration, post-war recovery, and democratic reforms.
• Fortnightly Political Briefings: Produce bi-weekly briefers on political-economic and social developments in Ukraine based on the analysis of materials produced by mainstream media and think tanks.
• Ad hoc Analysis: Produce ad hoc analyses on policy-relevant issues and changes for various audiences (ENGAGE partners, donors, academia).
• Contribute to Monitoring & Evaluation: In close collaboration with MEL Officer and Data Analyst, design and conduct public opinion polls to gauge public sentiment on policy-relevant issues, as well as assist with other data collection necessary for ENGAGE M&E purposes. Analyze results and produce analytical narratives to inform ENGAGE program adaptation and learning agenda.
• Contribute to Forward Thinking Analysis: Assist external consultants and advisors in the co-design and co-production of evidence-based contextual analyses to inform adaptive implementation of ENGAGE and provide foresight into longer-term needs and untapped areas of program implementation.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Basic Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in political science, public policy, sociology, econometrics or another relevant field.
• At least 2 years of work experience in the areas of political transition, analyses, qualitative and quantitative research and data interpretation.

 Additional Qualifications:

• Excellent analytical, reasoning, writing and presentation skills.
• Critical thinker
• Proactive and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Understanding of different research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Advanced MS Office knowledge (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.).
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage a complex workload and deadlines.
• Excellent teamwork skills.
• Fluent in English and Ukrainian.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience of working in political research or analysis positions with a track record of providing accurate and insightful political analysis.
• Proven history of publications in academic and peer-review journals would be an asset.

To Apply: 

Please send your CV and motivation letter to [email protected] with “Research Officer” in the subject line. The position is open until filled.

Please include at least three contacts of your former supervisors who can provide references for you. Only short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.  

Pact is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and is dedicated to the fair and equal treatment of all employees without regard to gender, race, color, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, disability, or marital status. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.