Research Assistants (Survey and Qualitative) job at MEARL Hub Afrika

About MEARL Hub Afrika (MHA)

MEARL Hub Afrika (MHA) is a Pan African research, monitoring and evaluation consultancy firm that supports development organisations to generate credible evidence for learning, accountability and decision-making. Our Mission is to strengthen evidence systems and advance equitable research, evaluation, and learning ecosystems across Africa.

About the assignment

The AMUKA Project works with young people in Oyam District to improve their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The baseline study will collect household and school-based information across five sub-counties (Kamdini Town Council, Oyam Town Council, Iceme, Minakulu and Abok) and five schools. Interviews and focus group discussions will be conducted in Lango, and some topics are sensitive. MHA is therefore looking for respectful, trustworthy and well-trained field staff.

Survey Research Assistants (9 positions)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct household and individual interviews with respondents using a tablet, in Lango or English.
• Obtain informed consent (and assent for minors, with caregiver consent) before every interview.
• Follow the sampling and household selection procedures given by the team lead.
• Keep all respondent information confidential and conduct interviews in private.
• Report any safeguarding or respondent distress concerns immediately to the team lead.
• Look after the assigned tablet and upload completed interviews as instructed.
• Attend the two-day training and take part in the pilot.

Person Specification (Qualifications and Experience)

• Diploma or degree in social sciences, public health, development studies, statistics, economics or a related field.
• Supervision skills is an added advantage
• Minimum of 3 years experience interviewing in community or household surveys.
• Fluent in Lango and English (spoken and written).
• Comfortable using a tablet or digital tools.
• Lives in Oyam District; preference for residents of Kamdini Town Council, Oyam Town Council, Iceme, Minakulu and Abok.
• Able to travel by motorcycle to rural villages.
• Respectful, patient and able to handle sensitive topics with young people.

Qualitative Research Assistants (2 positions)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the lead qualitative researcher to facilitate and note-take in focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) with young people, parents, teachers and community leaders.
• Record discussions with consent and keep the audio files secure.
• Take detailed notes and prepare expanded notes in English, and translate or transcribe Lango content as needed.
• Follow the study’s ethical, confidentiality and safeguarding procedures.
• Submit transcripts and notes within the agreed timelines.

Person Specification (Qualifications and Experience)

• Degree or diploma in a social science, public health, development studies or a related field.
• Previous experience in FGDs and IDIs as a facilitator, moderator or note-taker.
• Fluent in Lango and English, with strong writing skills.
• Experience in transcribing and translating Lango to English is an advantage.
• Lives in Oyam District; preference for residents of the five sub-counties listed above.
• Able to work with sensitive topics in a respectful and non-judgemental way.

Terms of engagement

• Short-term contract with a fixed, all-inclusive daily rate, paid on completion of the assigned work.
• MHA will not provide accommodation or transport to Oyam. Applicants must be based in Oyam District.
• Engagement is conditional on attending the full training, and a satisfactory reference check

• Conduct household and individual interviews with respondents using a tablet, in Lango or English.
• Obtain informed consent (and assent for minors, with caregiver consent) before every interview.
• Follow the sampling and household selection procedures given by the team lead.
• Keep all respondent information confidential and conduct interviews in private.
• Report any safeguarding or respondent distress concerns immediately to the team lead.
• Look after the assigned tablet and upload completed interviews as instructed.
• Attend the two-day training and take part in the pilot.
• Support the lead qualitative researcher to facilitate and note-take in focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) with young people, parents, teachers and community leaders.
• Record discussions with consent and keep the audio files secure.
• Take detailed notes and prepare expanded notes in English, and translate or transcribe Lango content as needed.
• Follow the study’s ethical, confidentiality and safeguarding procedures.
• Submit transcripts and notes within the agreed timelines.

• Fluent in Lango and English (spoken and written).
• Comfortable using a tablet or digital tools.
• Able to travel by motorcycle to rural villages.
• Respectful, patient and able to handle sensitive topics with young people.
• Previous experience in FGDs and IDIs as a facilitator, moderator or note-taker.
• Strong writing skills.
• Experience in transcribing and translating Lango to English is an advantage.
• Able to work with sensitive topics in a respectful and non-judgemental way.
• Supervision skills is an added advantage.

• Diploma or degree in social sciences, public health, development studies, statistics, economics or a related field for Survey Research Assistants.
• Degree or diploma in a social science, public health, development studies or a related field for Qualitative Research Assistants.
• Lives in Oyam District; preference for residents of Kamdini Town Council, Oyam Town Council, Iceme, Minakulu and Abok.
• Applicants must be based in Oyam District.