Senior Research Officer - (Qualitative)

Assignment

Under the supervision of the Research and Development Manager, the senior research analyst will support mostly qualitative research. S/he will support the team in developing research tools, designing theoretical frameworks (including study methodology and sampling), as well as checking the quality of quantitative data and conducting data analysis using programmes such as STATA, SPSS when relevant. The Senior Analyst will further work with the research team on developing proposals in the area of impact evaluation of humanitarian and development aid programmes as well as innovative approaches by identifying research questions and suitable strong methodologies relevant to this field. Part of this is also to develop strong study and sampling methodologies.

The Senior Research Analyst is responsible for ensuring that all research is conducted according to ethical standards and wih the informed consent of research participants. This is the responsibility of all members of the research team.

The Senior Research Analyst will be responsible for researching relevant background information including academic articles and developing conceptual frameworks, annotated bibliographies and literature reviews. The Senior Research Analyst, at times in cooperation with consultants, will also be asked to work on the conceptualization and implementation of strategic reviews as well as the write up of final review reports.

The Senior Research Analyst shall be responsible for developing methodologies for impact evaluations and study designs as well as tools for data collection and training research teams on these. The research analyst will further crosscheck the quality of the data by regularly checking forms, data-entry, monitoring field data-collection and will provide guidance to field research teams or research assistants in quality data collection.

S/he shall be responsible for conducting analysis of quantitative data. At least basic knowledge of the methods of quantitative data analysis (pivot tables excel, basic SPSS or STATA analysis) as well as knowledge on sampling methodologies is crucial to be able to monitor more in depth analysis, under the guidance of Research and Development Manager and in cooperation with statistical consultants.

The research analyst will support the research team with writing up research briefings, literature reviews as well as full research reports. S/he will further support the development of publications for academic journals. For this she/he will need excellent report writing skills in English as well as outstanding analytical skills, preferably with a record of successful publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Where relevant to the project and departmental requirement s/he may be asked to assist with financial management of small project components, logistical tasks as well as recruitment and line management of staff members. S/he wil be directly responsible for the line management of field research teams on assigned research tasks and projects as well as the capacity building of research assistants and junior officers in the department. However, as every staff member, s/he will also be expected to carry out tasks related to self administration.

Under the direction of the Country Research Manager and in coordination with AMEU, the Research Analyst may be asked to support study designs for the evaluation of ACTED country programmes as well as wider research. The position will offer an enthusiastic candidate an opportunity to share ideas about potential research programmes and be part of a newly established dynamic research unit within ACTED Pakistan, that will inform the strategic development of ACTEDs operations in the area of development cooperation.

The Senior Research Analyst may be asked to assist the Research and Development Manager in the design and planning of research projects of a qualitative and quantitative nature, including impact evaluations and the analysis of existing data sets collected by ACTED research and AMEU teams. S/he will also be asked to support the department in identifying funding opportunities and developing proposals for research projects.

- Objective 2.2: Departmental representation S/he will share with the Research and Development Manager the representation of ACTED at external conferences and events as well as partnership development meetings. S/he may also be asked to represent the department when the Research and Development Manager is on leave.

Objective 2.3 : Departmental development

S/he will be responsible for supporting the department in developing departmental tools such as research training manuals and ethics guidelines. Finally, s/he will be expected to support the Research and Development Department Manager with establishing strategic partnerships with universities, think tanks and technical bodies for future cooperation and joint programmes. In line with Objective 2.1 this may also involve identifying funding opportunities for such partnerships.

Objective 2.4 : Organizational Development

Like every team member of ACTED, s/he will support the organisation in identifying learning opportunities and best practices within the organization. . S/he will further be expected to take initiative in providing training on research methods to other ACTED staff members including to and in cooperation with other departments, notably MIS and AMEU.

"Women and minorities are encouraged to apply"