Research Coordinator US Non-profit Careers – Mercy Corps
Job Title: Research Coordinator
Organization: Mercy Corps
Duty Station: Uganda
About US:
Mercy Corps is an International NGO that exists to alleviate poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps has been fully registered in Uganda as an operational NGO. Currently Mercy Corps has an office in Kampala and is implementing Food Security programs which comprise of Water and Sanitation, Livelihood and Agriculture and Conflict Mitigation Management Program in North and North Eastern Uganda. We implement programs in the northern districts of Pader, Kitgum, Agago, Lamwo, Kaabong, Abim and Kotido with funding from USAID, USDA, Walmart Foundation, SDC, DFID as well as other private donations.
Job Summary: The Research Coordinator is a strategic role within Mercy Corps, managing research and learning in West Nile to inform future programming and contribute to a range of global research products on Market Systems Development (MSD) in refugee settings, and the role of social connections in coping and recovery. Specifically, this role will oversee the implementation of an exciting new 2-year OFDA research award in partnership with the Feinstein International Center (FIC) at Tufts University, with the goal of (1) build an understanding on the ways in which social connectedness links to resilience and improve livelihoods for South Sudanese in West Nile, Uganda; and (2) to examine the ways in Mercy Corps’ MSD interventions influence social connections and vice versa. This role will also oversee research on market systems dynamics in Uganda’s refugee settlements and the effectiveness of MSD pilots. This second component will begin by focusing on the ReHOPE project which aims to increase income and resilience in and around two settlements in West Nile via by supporting businesses in agricultural markets to change practice and increase investment and improving farmers’ access to goods and services. The Research Coordinator will report to the Team Leader – West Nile and will have considerable technical coordination, reporting and collaboration with the OFDA Research Manager.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Fieldwork
- Coordinate closely with the OFDA Research Manager, researchers from Tufts and research consultants to ensure that all research projects answer questions that are valuable to the Uganda program team and contribute to broader learning.
- Work closely with the Research Manager, Tufts researchers and consultants, lead training of enumerators / data collectors and in-country team on sampling procedures, administering data collection instruments, and data quality control.
- Work in close collaboration with the key research personnel lead the training of enumerators on qualitative data collection tools and data collection, including participatory rural approaches and other non-conventional qualitative tools such as Journey mapping, experiential learning, observation and other human centered tools as relevant.
- As needed, manage the piloting / testing and refinement of the data collection instruments.
- Manage and provide oversight / quality assurance of data collection process, including managing enumerators and troubleshooting as needed.
- Lead the qualitative data collection, including training and supervision of facilitators
Data Management and Analysis
- As needed, manage the transcription and lead the preliminary analysis of the qualitative data.
- Carry out data quality checks and support data cleaning and analysis as needed.
- Maintain organized files for data and research so that they are accessible to researchers and program team, including database management.
- Provide contextual analysis, feedback and inputs into relevant research reports.
Team Coordination and Learning
- Gather input and feedback from and coordinate closely with West Nile programs teams on research questions, research design, and data collection processes to ensure that data and analysis is high quality and aligns with research goals.
- Support interpretation of results based on program teams’ and enumerators’ contextual knowledge.
- Provide regular updates to West Nile program team about research findings. This includes providing informal insights at team meetings and leading presentations and feedback sessions at key points in the analysis.
Team Coordination and Learning:
- Gather input and feedback from and coordinate closely with West Nile programs teams on research questions, research design, and data collection processes to ensure that data and analysis is high quality and aligns with research goals.
- Support interpretation of results based on program teams’ and enumerators’ contextual knowledge.
- Provide regular updates to West Nile program team about research findings. This includes providing informal insights at team meetings and leading presentations and feedback sessions at key points in the analysis.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the Mercy Corps Research Coordinator job opportunity should hold an MA degree in development, social sciences, or other related field; PhD preferred
- Seven years of experience conducting and managing field research in rural areas of Uganda
- Demonstrated skills in applied research including statistical analysis and qualitative research methods
- Experience managing a team of local enumerators, and providing capacity-building support
- Experience conducting research for Market Systems Development (MSD) a plus
- Experience conducting research related to refugees a plus
- Experience conducting Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA) a plus
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills; experience working closely with both academic researchers and program teams a plus
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their online applications to the Senior HR and Legal Manager by clicking the link below. Please clearly state your salary requirements on the cover letter, attach your CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates.
Deadline: 2nd May 2018
: List of Current Job Vacancies / Opportunities in Uganda