Research Specialist at Busara Center

Responsibilities include:

Field Operations Management

• Manage and oversee data collection efforts, including planning logistics for regular in-person and phone surveys.
• Train enumerators and field teams to ensure consistency and accuracy in data collection.
• Manage field teams at project sites from CBD/Kilimani in Nairobi, collect regular updates on data collection progress and spending, tackle any challenges the team faces, and escalate as appropriate 
• Conduct daily High Frequency Checks (HFCs) to identify and resolve data quality issues in real-time

Research Implementation & Coordination

• Ensure the intervention and data collection adhere strictly to the research protocol
• Liaise regularly with academic research teams outside the country via weekly calls, raise implementation concerns, and coordinate on corrective measures.
• Support the design and implementation of the study at all stages of the randomized evaluation, in collaboration with Principal Investigators (PIs)
• Document the data monitoring process, including any deviations from the original study design

Data Management & Quality Assurance

• Code and troubleshoot surveys using tools such as SurveyCTO, Qualtrics, and support lab-based experiments via oTree
• Implement randomization protocols 
• Establish and maintain robust data quality safeguards and auditing systems
• Manage and clean data to ensure adherence to ethical standards and facilitate the replication of study results
• Ensure the project complies with all relevant ethical requirements

Data Analysis

• Analyze quantitative data generated by the experiment to produce insights and support reporting needs.

Essential Qualifications and Traits

• Experience in team management in any context 
• Hold, or be close to completion of, a Bachelor’s or Master’s (preferred) degree in Economics, Statistics, Political Sciences, Psychology, Mathematics, or a related discipline requiring substantial quantitative coursework 
• Strong skills in econometrics and programming (especially STATA and/or R) 
• Keen understanding of randomized controlled trials and experimental methods
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Strong managerial and organizational skills, and the ability to work under pressure 
• A systematic, thorough, and well-organised approach to work, with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail, and the ability to take responsibility for the delivery of research outputs to specific deadlines 
• A committed and collaborative team player, with the ability to work constructively and effectively with research partners 
• Highly self-motivated and able to take initiative without much supervision 
• Willingness to be based in Nairobi, Kenya, for at least two years 
• Demonstrated interest in development economics