Vacancies at SoCha

Scope of Work: 

• The LISA program, implemented by SoCha LLC is seeking qualified Research Assistants to provide data collection during field work for the Focus County In-depth Assessment on Disability (FCIAD). The goal of the analysis is to develop practical recommendations, tools, and infographics that will guide the design and implementation of more responsive USAID and USG programs for persons with disabilities in the focus counties (Kakamega, Isiolo, Nakuru, Kilifi) with the potential of replication in other counties.  
• The Research Assistants will be contracted by SoCha and will report directly to the designated Technical Lead (Consultant).  They will implement the following tasks: 

Pre-Fieldwork Preparation 

• Attending orientation and training sessions on research objectives, tools (e.g., questionnaires, interview guides), and ethical considerations. 
• Familiarize with the study methodology, data collection procedures, and protocols for working with persons with disabilities and caregivers. 
• Assist in pre-testing and piloting data collection tools to ensure clarity and reliability. 

Data Collection: 

• Conduct key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs), and administer structured questionnaires in line with the study protocol. 
• Facilitate FGDs by moderating discussions and ensuring active participation from all respondents. 
• Perform direct observations and accurately document findings using observation tools. 
• Maintain a respectful, inclusive, and ethical approach when engaging with persons with disabilities, caregivers, service providers, and policymakers. 

Education and qualifications:  

• Education and background: A Research Assistant should have a background in a relevant field, such as statistics, data science, social sciences, or another relevant discipline. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is preferred, but relevant work experience can also be considered. 
• Data management and analysis experience: The ideal candidate should have previous experience working with research data and be familiar with different data management and analysis methods. They should be able to work with both qualitative and quantitative data sets and have a good understanding of how to use different software and tools to analyze data. 
• Knowledge of NVivo, MS Excel, and SPSS: The Research Assistant should have a good understanding of NVivo, MS Excel, and SPSS and be comfortable working with these software tools. They should be able to clean and prepare data sets, conduct analyses, and generate outputs in these programs. 
• Attention to detail: A key skill required for a Research Assistant is attention to detail. They should be able to spot errors and inconsistencies in data and documentation and have a meticulous approach to data management and analysis. 
• Time management: The Research Assistant should have strong time management skills and be able to prioritize tasks to ensure deadlines are met. They should also be able to work efficiently and effectively to maximize their output. 
• Communication skills: The Research Assistant should have good communication skills and be able to explain data management and analysis processes to other members of the research team. They should also be able to articulate findings and insights in a clear and concise manner. 

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Scope of Work: 

• The LISA program, implemented by SoCha LLC, seeks a Statistician (Consultant) to provide technical expertise and support on digitization of the data collection tools, enumerators support, and troubleshooting during data collection, quantitative data analysis, visualization, synthesis for the Focus County In-depth Assessment on Disability (FCIAD). The analysis aims to develop practical recommendations, tools, and infographics that will guide the design and implementation of more responsive USAID and USG programs for persons with disabilities in the focus counties with the potential of replication in other counties.  
• The consultant will be contracted by SoCha and will report directly to the designated Technical Lead (Consultant).   

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, mathematics, computer science/IT, or related fields from a recognized university. 
• Over five years of expertise in planning, implementing, and documenting quantitative data assignments including the development and digitization of data collection tools preferably in social sciences.  
• An understanding of the complexities of disability issues within the Kenyan or African context is an added advantage. 
• Proven proficiency in statistical software such as SPSS, Stata, R, SAS, or Python for data analysis. 
• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel for data management and analysis. 
• Experience with digital data collection tools such as KoboToolbox, ODK, or SurveyCTO. 
• Knowledge of data cleaning, management, and validation processes. 
• Expertise in statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, regression analysis, and data visualization. 
• Familiarity with designing and implementing quantitative research methodologies. 
• Strong understanding of ethical considerations in data handling, including confidentiality and data security. 
• Willingness to adapt and respond to dynamic project needs during data collection and analysis phases. 

Roles and Responsibilities: 

• Data Analysis: Support the analysis of quantitative data using established methodologies to uncover key trends accompanied by visualizations and insights.   
• Documentation and Reporting: Organize and share working analysis tables, visualizations, and datasets and draft write-ups towards the quantitative data sections of the final assessment report.   
• Quality Assurance and Compliance: Ensure ethical and regulatory compliance, data accuracy, and confidentiality. Ensure all analyses adhere to statistical best practices and ethical considerations. Conduct regular data audits to confirm the integrity and validity of the dataset. 
• Data Collection Support: Collaborate with the research team to design and finalize quantitative data collection tools (e.g., structured questionnaires). Provide training to enumerators on data entry protocols and digital data collection platforms (if applicable). 
• Data Entry and Management: Oversee data entry to ensure accuracy and completeness. Establish and manage a centralized database for all collected data, ensuring secure and organized storage.  
• Data Cleaning: Identify and correct inconsistencies, missing values, or errors in the dataset. Perform outlier detection and validation of data points to ensure quality and reliability. Document all data cleaning processes to maintain transparency. 
• Data Analysis: Conduct descriptive and inferential statistical analyses as per the research objectives. Generate cross-tabulations, frequency distributions, and other relevant statistical summaries. Perform advanced statistical modeling (if required) to identify trends and relationships in the data. 
• Reporting: Prepare clear visualizations, including graphs, charts, and tables, for inclusion in the final report. Summarize findings in alignment with the study objectives and provide actionable insights. Contribute to the preparation of infographics based on key data findings. 
• Collaboration: Work closely with qualitative analyst to integrate findings for comprehensive insights. Provide technical input during team meetings and stakeholder presentations.  
• Timeline Management: Ensure data processing, cleaning, and analysis are completed within the agreed timelines. 

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Scope of Work: 

• The LISA program, implemented by SoCha LLC, seeks Transribers (Consultant) to provide Verbatim transcription of recordings from engagements with stakeholders for the Focus County In-depth Assessment on Disability (FCIAD). The ultimate goal of the analysis is to develop practical recommendations, tools, and infographics that will guide the design and implementation of more responsive USAID and USG programs for persons with disabilities in the focus counties with the potential of replication in other counties.  
• The consultant will be contracted by SoCha and will report directly to the Qualitative Data Analyst.    

Roles and Responsibility: 

• Audio File Management: Receive, organize, and securely store audio recordings from key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and any other recorded sessions. Ensure confidentiality and proper handling of all recordings, adhering to ethical guidelines. 
• Transcription: Listen to audio recordings and produce verbatim transcriptions of all interviews and discussions, maintaining accuracy in capturing speech, tone, and context. Label transcriptions with clear identifiers, including the date, location, and type of session (e.g., KII or FGD). Indicate non-verbal cues (e.g., laughter, pauses, or emotional responses) where relevant. 
• Quality Assurance: Ensure ethical and regulatory compliance, data accuracy, and confidentiality. Proofread and edit transcriptions to ensure clarity, coherence, and completeness. Cross-check audio recordings against transcripts to eliminate errors or omissions. 
• Formatting and Standardization: Format transcriptions according to the agreed-upon guidelines (e.g., line spacing, headings, speaker identification). Use consistent coding for speaker identification (e.g., Participant 1, Facilitator). 
• Collaboration: Work closely with the research and analysis team to ensure transcripts meet the project’s qualitative analysis requirements. Provide feedback to the research team regarding any audio quality issues or unclear content. 
• Timeliness: Deliver transcriptions within agreed timelines to avoid delays in analysis. 
• Confidentiality: Ensure strict adherence to data protection and privacy regulations by signing confidentiality agreements and securely handling all files. 
• Data Analysis: Support the analysis of quantitative data using established methodologies to uncover key trends accompanied by visualizations and insights.   
• Documentation and Reporting: Organize and share working analysis tables, visualizations, and datasets and draft write-ups towards the quantitative data sections of the final assessment report.   

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in social science-related fields from a recognized university. 
• Minimum of three years of expertise in providing verbatim transcriptions of recordings from  engagements with stakeholders including but not limited to meetings, Key Informant Interviews  (KIIs), In-depth Interviews (IDIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). 
• Proficiency in transcription software and tools (e.g., Express Scribe, Otter.ai, or NVivo). 
• Excellent typing speed (preferably 60 words per minute or more) and accuracy. 
• Strong command of the language(s) used in the audio recordings (English, Kiswahili, and relevant local languages). 
• Familiarity with formatting standards for qualitative data. 
• An understanding of disability landscape is an added advantage. 

go to method of application »

Scope of Work 

• The LISA program, implemented by SoCha LLC, seeks a Qualitative Data Analyst (Consultant) to provide technical expertise and support on qualitative data analysis, and synthesis, for the Focus County In-depth Assessment on Disability (FCIAD). The goal of the analysis is to develop practical recommendations, tools, and infographics that will guide the design and implementation of more responsive USAID and USG programs for persons with disabilities in the focus counties with the potential of replication in other counties.  
• The consultant will be contracted by SoCha and will report directly to the designated Technical Lead (Consultant).    

Minimum Qualifications: 

• A master’s degree in relevant fields such as research, social sciences, human resource management, and education fields from a recognized university. 
• Over five years of expertise in planning, implementing, and documenting qualitative data assignments preferably in social sciences. 
• Proficiency in qualitative research methods, including thematic analysis, content analysis, and narrative analysis. 
• Experience with qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo, ATLAS.ti, Dedoose, or MAXQDA. 
• Strong skills in data organization, coding, and synthesis. 
• Familiarity with participatory and inclusive research approaches, especially when working with marginalized populations such as persons with disabilities. 
• An understanding of the complexities of disability/ marginalization issues within the Kenyan is an added advantage. 
• Capacity to present findings visually (e.g., infographics, charts) and in narrative formats for diverse audiences. 

Roles and Responsibilities: 

• Activity Planning: Develop a work plan for the qualitative data analysis, synthesis, and write-up, including sub-activities, timelines, and deliverables.  
• Data Analysis: Analyze qualitative data using established methodologies to uncover key themes and insights. 
• Data collection: Support in qualitative and quantitative data collection as needed.   
• Documentation and Reporting: Organize and share meeting notes, focus group discussion (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) transcripts and summary notes. Provide a detailed report with the findings including key themes and trends and a synthesis.   
• Quality Assurance and Compliance: Ensure ethical and regulatory compliance, data accuracy, and confidentiality. 
• Data Organization: Review and organize transcripts from key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and observations. Ensure all qualitative data is complete, anonymized, and properly formatted for analysis. 
• Thematic Analysis: Apply qualitative analysis methods (e.g., thematic analysis, content analysis, or narrative analysis) to identify patterns, themes, and insights. Use qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, ATLAS.ti, or Dedoose) to code and analyze data systematically. 
• Data Synthesis: Interpret the findings in relation to the study objectives, highlighting the diverse experiences of persons with disabilities, caregivers, and service providers. Identify systemic barriers, discriminatory practices, and gaps in policy implementation as they emerge from the data. 
• Collaboration and Integration: Work closely with the quantitative data analyst to integrate qualitative and quantitative findings for a comprehensive understanding of the data. Participate in team discussions to ensure insights align with project goals and stakeholder expectations. 
• Reporting and Presentation: Develop a detailed report summarizing key themes, insights, and recommendations from the qualitative data. Contribute to the creation of tools, infographics, and practical recommendations based on qualitative findings. Present findings to the research team and stakeholders during dissemination events or validation workshops. 
• Quality Assurance: Ensure analysis is rigorous, unbiased, and grounded in the data, with clear links to the study objectives. Regularly check consistency in coding and interpretation. 
• Ethical Considerations: Ensure confidentiality and ethical handling of all qualitative data, adhering to guidelines on research ethics. 

Deliverables: 

The following deliverables will be required: 

• Activity plan and methodology. 
• Draft qualitative data analysis section toward the final assessment report (Working with the technical lead).  
• Final clean qualitative data materials (meeting notes, FGD, KII transcripts, and summary notes). 
• Complete data collection forms (including individuals and summary notes) whenever required to support data collection.  
• Other items as required by the technical lead