Research Assistant, Tanzania

Location: Dar Es Salaam Tanzania

Reports to: Research Officer

Contract duration: 6 months fixed contract

Salary: Competitive within Tanzanian NGO market rates

Application instructions:

Candidates should send their CV and a covering letter (PDF or Microsoft Word format) which outlines their experience and suitability for the role in English to tzrecruitment@tz.bbcmediaaction.org. The name of the position applied for should be included in the subject line of the email.

Please do not send certificates or other attachments. Applicants with no separate covering letter will not be considered. Please only apply if you meet the basic criteria under the person specification. This is a local post applicable to people who have the legal right to live and work in Tanzania. 'National terms and conditions will apply'.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Application deadline: 5pm on Friday 26 September 2014

  

Job purpose:

The Research Assistant will support the Research Officer and Research Manager in the coordination and implementation of research activities for the Mwanzo Bora Nutrition Programme. As a member of a global team of research and communications practitioners, the assistant will have the opportunity to contribute to the Research & Learning group's work on the synthesis and analysis of best practice for BBC Media Action's projects.

She/he will provide support in coordinating field research activities, designing research tools and moderating focus group discussions and conducting in depth interviews and monitoring project activities.

Main Duties:

• Manage the projects databases and ensure accurate and timely entry of data

• Ensure close follow up with project partners and the production teams to ensure reports and project data is submitted on time

• Perform period analysis of project data and submit report summaries to the research officer and project teams

• Translation of the programme database content information which includes all the mobile phone messages, face book messages, and twitter messages

• Design of data collection tools (i.e. discussion guides, observation checklists) with guidance from the research officer and research manager

• Assist in coordinating field work activities such as preparing budgets, recruitment of participants and field logistics

• Organise for transcription and translation of FGDs and IDIs transcripts and translation of data collection tools

• Conduct literature reviews and other desk based research

• Participate in moderating FGDs, IDIs and conducting station assessments

• Support the Research Officer in preparing summaries of the key findings from the studies conducted

• Ensure all project activities meet BBC standards, as well as deliver the projects development objectives.

• Perform any other duties that may be assigned.

Required skills, knowledge and experience:

• A university graduate with proven experience or interest of working in the field of research

• Fluency in English and Swahili.

• Good interpersonal skills to establish effective working relationships with all staff within the Media Action and key stakeholders externally.

• Able to communicate effectively at all levels within the organization, including relevant staff working for the BBC in the UK.

• Willingness and ability to take the initiative not only in identifying problems but also in suggesting and implementing solutions.

• An eye for detail and a concern for accuracy, together with the ability to keep sight of the broad picture.

Key competencies:

The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.

• Analytical Thinking – Able to simplify complex problems, processes or projects into component parts, explore and evaluate them systematically. Able to identify causal relationships, and construct frameworks, for problem-solving and/or development.

• Decision Making – Is ready and able to take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of the decision made.

• Planning and Organisation – Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritizes and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.

• Resilience – Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterized by commitment, motivation and energy.

• Influencing and Persuading – Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behavior change.

• Communication – The ability to get one's message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.

• Managing relationships – Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.

• Self-Development – Is able to identify and apply opportunities for learning and development.