Research Assistant at Samuel Hall

TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

PILLAR SUPPORT

• Direct reporting and support to the Children and Youth Pillar Lead on all elements of the pillar’s work: research, partnerships, outreach and dissemination, strategic expansion, and strategic framework
• Put forward editorial ideas for dissemination work (including drafting blog entries, articles, papers based on on-going and published pieces, and identifying the right forum and timing for such publications, in line with on-going events, national/regional/global policy dialogues on relevant topics)
• Support to widen Samuel Hall’s network
• Support other Pillar Leads and teams as needed, coordinate work with all pillars and country offices
• Support Project Managers on project-related requirements as required.

PROJECT SUPPORT

Operations

• Adhere to the Project Cycle SOPs and train field teams on components of the project cycle
• Support training cycle (development and implementation) for colleagues
• Support and monitor field teams’ work, including solving field problems
• Effectively communicate with supervisors on progress with daily updates
• Provide input to improve the quality of the field teams’ notes, transcripts, outputs
• Ensure all project related information is stored correctly, using the Organisation’s SoPs; including but not limited to literature review, transcripts of interviews, meeting minutes, notes of all relevant project discussions (as emails or write-up), and visuals.

Research

• Support the design or design research tools and research methodology in collaboration with the research team
• Support/ conduct secondary research and desk reviews
• Participate in fieldwork – qualitative research will include case studies, focus group discussions, field observations, key informant interviews, as required in various locations
• Liaise with supervisors (in country and remotely) to improve quality of outputs
• Provide strong analysis and recommendations in line with policy and academic standards
• Under the supervision of the Project Manager, Pillar Lead and/or Director, transcribe interview notes, write field reports, and contribute to the draft/final report

Fieldwork

• Undertake socio-economic research including fieldwork and primary data collection, putting fieldwork at the centre of the mission
• Qualitative research will include as case studies, focus groups, field observations, key informant interviews as required in various locations, along with more innovative tools to be developed
• Supervise quantitative survey led by the rest of the team
• Problem solving in the field
• Provide input to improve the quality of the field team’s interview notes, transcripts, outputs

Analysis

• Provide strong analysis and recommendations in line with policy and academic drawing on the most up-to-date research methods and analytical tools
• Under the supervision of the Project Manager and/or Pillar Lead, transcribe interview notes, draft field reports, field diaries, progress updates, and analytical documents
• Prepare drafts of all written internal and client deliverables, such as concept notes, inception reports, field reports and draft final report, PowerPoint presentations.
• Edit pillar outputs to ensure quality assurance and consistency in the production of outputs.

VACANCY REQUIREMENTS

Prior experience working in contexts of migration, displacement, and international development are requirements for this role. The successful RA is further required to have:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field
• Past research and work experience specific to vulnerable groups
• Interest and experience working with children and youth-related domains
• Knowledge of key institutional frameworks and stakeholders
• Proven experience in writing academic and research papers
• Strong presentation / speaking skills and ability to build strong professional relationships
• Keen attention to detail
• Ability to be patient and to work well within a global team
• Ability to cope well under pressure, work occasionally irregular hours and meet tight deadlines
• Excellent spoken and written skills in English; French preferred; Arabic desirable
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data analysis