Research Assistant - Machakos County at Teach for Kenya

Role Summary

• This initiative will generate critical evidence on foundational literacy and numeracy in Kenya. As a Research Assistant, you will contribute to shaping stronger, evidence-driven educational policies and programs that benefit thousands of learners nationwide.

Key Responsibilities

Training & Preparation

• Attend a mandatory one-day in-person training on standardized EGRA and EGMA administration.
• Demonstrate mastery of child-friendly, ethical assessment techniques.
• Complete orientation on research ethics and child protection protocols.

Assessment Administration

• Conduct one-on-one EGRA and EGMA assessments with primary school learners using validated tools.
• Ensure assessments are administered in a consistent, age-appropriate, and respectful manner.
• Maintain a conducive and secure testing environment for all students.

 Data Collection & Management

• Record assessment results accurately using mobile data collection tools (e.g., KoBoCollect, ODK).
• Ensure timely and secure transmission of assessment data.
• Conduct initial data cleaning and validation under supervision.
• Identify and resolve inconsistencies in collected data.

Quality Assurance & Reporting

• Submit daily field reports highlighting progress, challenges, and solutions.
• Participate in daily debriefings with the field supervisor.
• Ensure secure handling of assessment materials and confidentiality of student data.
• Support additional data collection tasks as needed.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Diploma or degree in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, or a related field (Bachelor’s degree preferred).
• Experience working with children aged 6–10 in educational or research settings.
• Prior involvement in educational assessments, field surveys, or data collection projects.
• Familiarity with primary school learning contexts in Kenya.
• Proficiency in mobile data collection tools (e.g., KoBoCollect, ODK, RedCap, CommCare).
• Competency in Microsoft Word and Excel for data handling.
• Experience conducting structured interviews or assessments with children.
• Solid understanding of research ethics and child safeguarding standards.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili; ability to speak the local language of the county applied for is highly desirable.
• Ability to communicate with children using clear, age-appropriate language.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to meet daily targets under tight timelines.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Professionalism, patience, and empathy are key when working with children.
• Commitment to confidentiality and safeguarding.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification or training in research ethics involving child participants.
• Knowledge of Kenya’s competency-based curriculum (CBC) and foundational learning benchmarks.
• Prior experience with EGRA/EGMA tools or related literacy and numeracy assessments.