BACKGROUND ON IMPACT AND REACH
IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation manages several initiatives, including the REACH Initiative. The IMPACT team comprises specialists in data collection, management and analysis, GIS and remote sensing. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO with headquarters based in Paris and presence in thirty countries. The two organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, which allows IMPACT to benefit from ACTED's operational support in its fields of intervention.
We are currently looking for a Research Manager to scope out and set-up a new Research Team focussing on the Economy, Markets, and Livelihoods
Department: IMPACT
Position: Research Manager
Contract duration: 5 months
Starting Date: ASAP
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
COUNTRY PROFILE
The humanitarian response in Afghanistan remains one of the largest in the world, with 21.9 million people identified as in need of assistance in the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. The country is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with drought conditions affecting agriculture and livelihoods. Natural disasters, including flooding and earthquakes, remain prevalent – often causing displacement, damaging and destroying shelter and services, and disrupting livelihoods. Conflict remains a risk, with recent increase in conflict activity between Afghanistan and Pakistan. With millions of refugees in neighbouring countries, including Iran and Pakistan, forced return of refugees is also a driver of needs in the country.
Alongside this, since the De facto Authorities took control of the government in 2021, a range of restrictive policies have significantly restricted the rights of women and girls in society – leading to increased marginalisation and protection risks. The economic situation remains poor and authorities lack resources to run effective public services, with reliance on humanitarian assistance. As the USA was a major aid donor in Afghanistan, their withdrawal of all aid funding had a significant effect, for example on the closures of health centres. With political positioning of donor governments restricting a full development approach, a basic human needs response is increasingly complementing the humanitarian response across Afghanistan.
Against this backdrop, IMPACT Initiatives is planning a range of research activities to support an evidence- and needs-based humanitarian response. The IMPACT Deputy Country Representative (DCR) supports the Country Representative (CR) in overseeing programme strategy and implementation internally, as well as external representation of IMPACT.
POSITION PROFILE
Following the development of our new Country Strategy, IMPACT Afghanistan is planning to establish a new research team with the aim of providing relevant information to humanitarian and basic human needs stakeholders linked to the economy, markets and livelihoods in Afghanistan.
IMPACT Afghanistan is therefore seeking an experienced Research Manager with knowledge of assessment and analysis, to scope out a programme of work for this new team, through internal and external consultations. The Research Manager will be responsible for drafting concept notes and research ToRs that can be used to solicit funding for the start-up of the team.
The Research Manager will be responsible for building an understanding of the relevant aid strategies existing in Afghanistan and identifying relevant data and research gaps that could be filled. This will involve connections with international and national NGOs (including members of Cash Consortium of Afghanistan), the UN, and donors. The Research Manager will review existing research in Afghanistan (including the MSNA and Joint Market Monitoring Initiative) and also connect across IMPACT to understand similar research being conducted elsewhere that could be adapted for the Afghanistan context.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Research Manager's responsibilities will include:
CONTEXTUAL UNDERSTANDING
* Assess relevant strategic, analytical, and operational documents to develop an understanding of the current priorities relating to the economy, markets and livelihoods for the aid response in Afghanistan.
* Mapping existing IMPACT data, other research, and other relevant information sources to understand relevant areas for potential assessment and research.
* Connecting with national and international NGOs, UN colleagues, and the donor community to understand their priorities and to identify where IMPACT research could support their programmes and strategies.
* Provide SMT and other staff members with key updates from these efforts.
DEPARTMENT STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT
* Engage with IMPACT colleagues in HQ and in other country programmes to identify existing assessment and research tools that could be adapted for Afghanistan.
* Develop a series of concept notes that can be shared with prospective partners or donors, to seek funding for the set-up for the new team.
* Develop/draft relevant research ToRs, enabling technical discussion and approval of potential research projects.
* Develop a light-touch team strategy that could subsequently be further developed based on the eventual set-up and staffing of research activities.
* Coordinate with staff in the Cash Consortium of Afghanistan to identify potential assessment and research opportunities for the future of the Consortium.
For complete job description and to apply, visit:
https://www.impact-initiatives.org/work-with-us/vacancies/research-manager-economy-markets-livelihoods-for-afghanistan-based-in-kabul-link-for-external-applicants/
HOW TO APPLY:
https://impactinitiatives.teamtailor.com/jobs/8043184-research-manager-economy-markets-livelihoods-for-afghanistan-based-in-kabul-link-for-external
Download File (https://www.impact-initiatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-AFG-RM-02-EN-1.pdf)