Research Coordinator

JOB TITLE: Research Coordinator

JOB GRADE: 19

BUSINESS UNIT: Orbis Global Programes

EMPLOYMENT TERMS: Limited-Term (Over 6 months) Full-Time 

COUNTRY OFFICE/DEPT: Mongolia Country Office 

APPROVED BY: Chimgee Chuluunkhuu - Country Director 

DATE: September 2026

JOB SUMMARY 

As a member of the Mongolia Country Office team, the Project-Assigned Research Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the planning, implementation, and monitoring of a donor-funded, mixed-methods research project. This role contributes by ensuring the research is conducted ethically, meets quality standards, and delivers timely and accurate data to inform program learning and reporting.

LOCATION

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia with frequent travel to field project locations. 

REPORTING & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The Project-Assigned Research Coordinator reports to the Project Manager and works closely with the Country Director, program staff, finance and M&E focal points in the Mongolia Country Office. The role also coordinates with external consultants, data collectors, and local ethics review bodies, and liaises with regional/global program and research teams, as well as donor representatives and other relevant stakeholders involved in the research.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 

• Prepare and submit all required documents to relevant national and institutional review boards. Ensure full compliance with ethical standards and data protection protocols before and throughout the research.
• Lead the development of the research work plan, including timelines, key milestones, and coordination of resources and logistics.
• Coordinate and supervise data collection activities across both qualitative (e.g., interviews, focus group discussions) and quantitative (e.g., surveys) components. Monitor fieldwork to ensure consistency, protocol compliance, and data quality.
• Implement quality control processes to verify the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of collected data. Support secure data storage, cleaning, and organization in collaboration with analysts or consultants.
• Plan and conduct training sessions for data collectors, staff, or other key actors involved in the research. Ensure shared understanding of the study’s protocols, ethical principles, and tools.
• Serve as the main liaison with internal and external stakeholders, including government partners, academic collaborators, and donor representatives. Ensure clear communication and timely progress updates.
• Compile and submit timely, accurate quarterly reports that capture progress, risks, lessons learned, and next steps, in line with donor requirements. Maintain organized records of ethics approvals, training logs, and research activities.
• Assist with preliminary analysis tasks (e.g., summarizing key findings or preparing basic tables) and support the development of presentations, reports, or briefs for internal and external use.
• Identify operational or ethical risks and collaborate with project teams to address them quickly and appropriately.
   
   

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, international development, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in coordinating or supporting research projects, ideally in a donor-funded or NGO setting.
• Experience working with ethics review processes and institutional/national review boards.
• Background in mixed-methods research, including oversight of both quantitative and qualitative data collection.
• Experience with donor reporting and documentation of research processes.
• Familiarity with the health or development sector in Mongolia is an asset.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong understanding of research ethics, including informed consent, data protection, and quality assurance practices.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple tasks and stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills—able to collaborate across teams, work independently, and engage external partners effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with basic data tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, NVivo) is a plus.
• Fluent in Mongolian and proficient in English, both written and spoken.
• Strong attention to detail, especially in reviewing data and documentation.
• Ability to troubleshoot operational issues and propose practical solutions in real time.