Research Coordinator US Non-profit Careers – Mercy Corps

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Job Title:          Research Coordinator
Organization: Mercy
Corps
Duty Station: Uganda
About US:
Mercy Corps is an International
NGO that exists to alleviate poverty and oppression by helping people build
secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps has been fully registered
in Uganda as an operational NGO. Currently Mercy Corps has an office in Kampala
and is implementing Food Security programs which comprise of Water and
Sanitation, Livelihood and Agriculture and Conflict Mitigation Management
Program in North and North Eastern Uganda. We implement programs in the
northern districts of Pader, Kitgum, Agago, Lamwo, Kaabong, Abim and Kotido
with funding from USAID, USDA, Walmart Foundation, SDC, DFID as well as other
private donations.
Job Summary: The
Research Coordinator is a strategic role within Mercy Corps, managing research
and learning in West Nile to inform future programming and contribute to a
range of global research products on Market Systems Development (MSD) in
refugee settings, and the role of social connections in coping and recovery.
Specifically, this role will oversee the implementation of an exciting new
2-year OFDA research award in partnership with the Feinstein International
Center (FIC) at Tufts University, with the goal of (1) build an understanding
on the ways in which social connectedness links to resilience and improve
livelihoods for South Sudanese in West Nile, Uganda; and (2) to examine the
ways in Mercy Corps’ MSD interventions influence social connections and vice
versa. This role will also oversee research on market systems dynamics in
Uganda’s refugee settlements and the effectiveness of MSD pilots. This second
component will begin by focusing on the ReHOPE project which aims to increase
income and resilience in and around two settlements in West Nile via by
supporting businesses in agricultural markets to change practice and increase
investment and improving farmers’ access to goods and services. The Research
Coordinator will report to the Team Leader – West Nile and will have
considerable technical coordination, reporting and collaboration with the OFDA
Research Manager.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: 
Fieldwork
  • Coordinate
    closely with the OFDA Research Manager, researchers from Tufts and
    research consultants to ensure that all research projects answer questions
    that are valuable to the Uganda program team and contribute to broader
    learning.
  • Work
    closely with the Research Manager, Tufts researchers and consultants, lead
    training of enumerators / data collectors and in-country team on sampling
    procedures, administering data collection instruments, and data quality
    control.
  • Work
    in close collaboration with the key research personnel lead the training
    of enumerators on qualitative data collection tools and data collection,
    including participatory rural approaches and other non-conventional
    qualitative tools such as Journey mapping, experiential learning,
    observation and other human centered tools as relevant.
  • As
    needed, manage the piloting / testing and refinement of the data
    collection instruments.
  • Manage
    and provide oversight / quality assurance of data collection process,
    including managing enumerators and troubleshooting as needed.
  • Lead
    the qualitative data collection, including training and supervision of
    facilitators
Data Management and Analysis
  • As
    needed, manage the transcription and lead the preliminary analysis of the
    qualitative data.
  • Carry
    out data quality checks and support data cleaning and analysis as needed.
  • Maintain
    organized files for data and research so that they are accessible to
    researchers and program team, including database management.
  • Provide
    contextual analysis, feedback and inputs into relevant research reports.
Team Coordination and Learning
  • Gather
    input and feedback from and coordinate closely with West Nile programs
    teams on research questions, research design, and data collection
    processes to ensure that data and analysis is high quality and aligns with
    research goals.
  • Support
    interpretation of results based on program teams’ and enumerators’
    contextual knowledge.
  • Provide
    regular updates to West Nile program team about research findings. This
    includes providing informal insights at team meetings and leading
    presentations and feedback sessions at key points in the analysis.
Team Coordination and Learning:
  • Gather
    input and feedback from and coordinate closely with West Nile programs
    teams on research questions, research design, and data collection
    processes to ensure that data and analysis is high quality and aligns with
    research goals.
  • Support
    interpretation of results based on program teams’ and enumerators’
    contextual knowledge.
  • Provide
    regular updates to West Nile program team about research findings. This
    includes providing informal insights at team meetings and leading
    presentations and feedback sessions at key points in the analysis.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
  • The
    ideal candidate for the Mercy Corps Research Coordinator job opportunity
    should hold an MA degree in development, social sciences, or other related
    field; PhD preferred
  • Seven
    years of experience conducting and managing field research in rural areas
    of Uganda
  • Demonstrated
    skills in applied research including statistical analysis and qualitative
    research methods
  • Experience
    managing a team of local enumerators, and providing capacity-building
    support
  • Experience
    conducting research for Market Systems Development (MSD) a plus
  • Experience
    conducting research related to refugees a plus
  • Experience
    conducting Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA) a plus
  • Excellent
    communication and collaboration skills; experience working closely with
    both academic researchers and program teams a plus
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and
interested candidates should send their online applications to the Senior HR
and Legal Manager by clicking the link below. Please clearly state your salary
requirements on the cover letter, attach your CV (with 3 referees), and copies
of academic qualifications/certificates.
Deadline:  2nd May 2018
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