Research Associates at Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Research Coordinator will be required to support research activities under the review of strategies for integrating Child Protection (CP) and Child Rights Governance (CRG) in primary education programmes of Save the Children Somalia/Somaliland. The project is to be implemented in collaboration with CP, CRG and Education technical teams of the Country Office (CO), and with SC Norway. The purpose of the research is to assess the feasibility and expected effectiveness of various potential CP/CRG initiatives to integrate in Education programmes.

The research coordinator, with the support of the Director of REALM (Research, Evaluation, Analysis, Learning and Monitoring) and Research Advisory Group, will be based at Nairobi with frequent visits required to collect data and hold workshops in all three areas (Somaliland, Puntland, and South & Central Somalia). The specific activities include literature review, data collection tools development, conduct training to enumerators, facilitate participatory strategy review workshops, data analysis and drafting report.

Working closely with the Director of REALM, the Research Coordinator will support the day-to-day research activities under the project. He/she will bring a high level of technical competence and experience in order to supervise all field activities focused on data collection and data processing. He/she will be responsible for ensuring adequate planning for fieldwork and commitment to agreed deadlines. In addition, he/she will support analysis and reporting using collected data.

The Research Coordinator will play a central role in training of field research staff for the project with supports from Area MEAL Managers. In addition, he/she will be responsible for ensuring technical competence and capacity building of the field staff.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Director of Research, Evaluation, Analysis, Learning and Monitoring (REALM)

Dimensions: Save the Children International works in Somalia/Somaliland with a current staff complement of approximately 400 and expenditure of approximately $45 million in 2015.

Number of staff directly reporting to this post: 12-15

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Conduct literature review on integration of CP/CRG with primary education
• Assist the research team in compiling potential strategies of integrating CP/CRG components in primary education
• Support design, as well as pilot and adapt all data collection instruments.
• Oversee all field activities and ensure commitment to deadlines.
• Proactively support the recruitment of the research team in the field, including data collectors, qualitative note-takers and enumerators.
• Encourage a culture of professional excellence in field research teams, and adequately communicate and respond to capacity building requirements.
• Manage staff in challenging environments and ensure balance between safety of personnel and quality of data.
• Anticipate, identify and resolve all problems related to field implementation in a timely fashion by ensuring adequate contingency planning and, where relevant, escalating problems to the project management.
• Oversee all data collection and ensure adherence to the standard dimensions of data quality.
• Oversee and where necessary undertake appropriate spot-checks and other verification exercises for collected data.
• Oversee data cleaning and processing, including entry to a standard software package.
• Conduct preliminary analysis of collected data according to pre-agreed timeframes. Ensure use of adequate data visualisation tools to enrich presentation of research findings.
• Share findings from data analysis at participatory strategy review workshop, and facilitate these workshops
• Maintain strong working relationship with technical teams of the Somalia/Somaliland Country Office and Save the Children Norway.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Problem solving and Decision Making

· Undertakes operations in a complex environment through technical competence, anticipating challenges, and developing appropriate mitigation measures.

· Responds promptly to emerging problems and takes appropriate decisions.

· Explores and analyses data trends, as well as their potential impact on strategic choices.

Professional self-development

• Identifies clear development needs and development plans through regular constructive reviews of their own performance.
• Maintains a close view of staff capacity and performance, and responds adequately to gaps.
• Gives regular positive and constructive feedback to others.
• Self-learner of new research tools and methods
• Creates space for others to learn and provides challenging and stretching tasks and assignments when people are ready for them.

Analytical ability

• Ability to assess quality of research and evidence
• Think critically about applicability of evidence in programming from programme improvement and feasibility perspective
• Ability to synthesize research from various academic literature

Accountability

· Holds self-accountable in making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values

· Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition

· Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same

· Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others

· Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration

· Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters

· Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength

· Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity

· Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions

· Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity

· Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

· At least Bachelor degree in economics, education, development studies or relevant discipline.

· Two years of experience in similar research-focused positions.

· Knowledge and demonstrated experience of designing and managing research studies.

· Proven experience in research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative methods.

· Familiar with computer adapted data collection platforms

· Conversant with data analysis software, preferably STATA.

· Demonstrated ability to think critically, strategically and analyse complex information and offer creative, practical and effective solutions

· Fluency (verbal and written) in English is essential.

· Commitment to Save the Children International values.

· Able and willing to live and work in harsh environments.

CHILD SAFEGUARING POLICY:

Any employee, consultant, contractor or the supplier undertaking an activity on behalf of SCI must sign the Child Safeguarding – Declaration of Acceptance Form] and comply with the SCIs Child Safeguarding Policy which is a statement of SCI’s commitment to preventing abuse and protecting children with whom it comes into contact.

This extends not only to children with whom SCI and its partners work directly, but also includes children whom staff are responsible for. SCI believes that the situation of children must be improved through the promotion of their rights supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children International’s Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.