Job Recruitment 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

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Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

CORE PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES: Associates will work closely with Busara offices and directly with academic researchers and advisory clients to perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to:

• Engage in multiple large-scale research and advisory projects at a given time.
• Plan, manage, and execute external and internal engagements independently from start to finish with limited supervision.
• Incorporate the latest research in qualitative and quantitative methods, behavioral science, psychology, economics, and development to provide creative solutions to engagements.
• Manage and conduct qualitative and quantitative research and data analysis.
• Design, launch, and analyze effective quantitative and qualitative survey instruments with coordination among project staff (Analysts, Project Leads, Data and Programming, and Operations teams).
• Serve as a point of contact for clients and partners.  Effectively manage the needs of stakeholders through proactive communication and troubleshooting.
• Contribute to project on-boarding and off-boarding for knowledge management.
• Responsible for project timelines, deliverables, reports, and staffing.
• Contribute to the creation of proposals, concept notes, and pitch decks for new business opportunities and knowledge sharing. Present at conferences, networking events, or client meetings.
• Contribute to the design, execution, and dissemination of Busara internal research projects.
• Work closely to lead or support other Associates to fulfill engagement requirements.
• Perform any other duty as may be assigned by the project supervisor.

CORE ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: In addition to project responsibilities, Associates also have the following organizational responsibilities to ensure a healthy and functioning organization.

• Work with the Associate team to conduct goal-setting exercises, objectives and key results, and team building events.
• Contribute to skills-building workshops for Associate teams.
• Assist with internal initiatives where necessary.
• Serve as mentors to Analysts and Project Lead team members, when requested.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience: Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or related fields.
• Strong qualitative, quantitative, research, and data analytic skills.
• 2-5 years’ previous work experience in financial inclusion / research in financial services
• Experience managing large scale research and consulting projects in developing countries.
• Demonstrates the ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations.
• Strong quantitative skills including knowledge of and experience working with data analysis software
• Experience managing and mentoring staff
• Ability to quickly understand and adapt to new contextual situations
• Excellent management and organizational skills.
• Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a team player.
• Interest and experience working in a fast-paced working environment.
• Fluency and excellent communication and writing skills with a mastery of English.
• Ability to execute projects while sustaining a global focus and vision for institutional planning and decision making.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or related fields.
• Technical understanding of qualitative research techniques.
• Knowledge of the application of behavioral science to real-world problems.
• Proficiency in Stata, R, or Python
• Technical understanding and practical experience of randomized controlled trials and/or quasi-experimental designs