Research Assistant (Re-advertised)

Job Description

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation, and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies.

The IRC began programming in northern Uganda in 1998 in response to mass displacement and devastation wrought by rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army. In 2002, the IRC expanded to the remote, conflict-affected region of Karamoja and in 2011, began working with refugees in Kampala. Monitoring the influx of South Sudanese refugees at the end of 2015, the IRC began scaling up its response to refugees arriving in the West Nile region. By promoting durable solutions that deliver on the interdependent aims of saving lives, strengthening institutions, and supporting social cohesion, the IRC in Uganda is laying the building blocks for long-term stability and development –bringing people from harm to home. The IRC currently works in 9 districts in Uganda, including Kitgum, Lamwo, Kasese, Kyegegwa, Moroto, Amudat, Yumbe, Arua and Kampala. The IRC will be moving into additional/new locations in refugee settlements in Obongi and Arua.

The IRC is currently implementing its health and nutrition program in West Nile and Acholi focusing on providing primary health care services to refugees in their settlements. Similar services will be extended to the new locations starting January 2020.

Re:Build: The IKEA Foundation and the IRC have partnered to create Refugees in East Africa: Boosting Urban Innovations for Livelihoods Development (Re:Build) – a multifaceted program that supports urban refugees and their host communities to achieve economic self-reliance and inspires evidence-based systemic change globally. Under the Evidence and Learning Pillar, Re:Build is committed to gathering evidence and learning through testing with Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), pilots, and monitoring data to illustrate what works to improve urban livelihoods. Ongoing Wave 1 RCT: In collaboration with researchers from the Center for Global Development (CGD), Georgetown University, University of Rochester, and Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), Re:Build is currently implementing wave 1 RCT in Uganda. This RCT was launched in July 2022 and will run through May 2024.

Wave 2 Pilots and RCT : The wave 2 pilot design and implementation commence in August 2023. Leading up to the RCT launch, the IRC and the research team will conduct several small-scale pilots to further refine the interventions to be evaluated. The pilots will launch in September 2023 and could run until the end of January 2024. During this time, the research team will also target and register potential clients for the RCTs so that the full sample list is finalized by February 2024. The launch of the study will focus on randomization, baseline data collection, and intervention roll-out.

Job Overview: The RCT implementation is a rigorous and demanding process that is executed in a manner consistent with the set research design, timeline and in strict compliance with research ethics and practices. This requires the right team composition and motivation.

Duties and Responsibilities: The research assistants will be expected to perform the following roles (not limited to). ●Participate in the training on RCT methodologies. ●Client mobilization, registration, and recruitment. ●Client info sessions, onboarding, and monitoring. ●Maintain communication with the RCT clients including attending to their inquiries. ●Data collection. ●Business verification and spot checks. ●Ensure compliance with organizational performance standards, code of conduct, and safeguarding policy. ●Adhere to confidentiality procedures and policies when collecting, storing, and sharing data. ●Report writing. ●Keep the supervisor appraised of all outputs, feedback and issues arising from the project activities conducted. ●Interaction with Principal Investigators. ●Translation and transcription as required by the research team. ●To perform other duties as assigned and agreed upon with the supervisor.

Qualifications

•Degree or Diploma in Education, International Development, Anthropology, Sociology, Linguistics, Community Development, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, or a related field. •Experience in data collection, analysis, or research dissemination desirable. •Minimum 1-year research experience, specifically implementing research activities in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). •Language skills: Proficiency in English and any of the following languages (French, Somali, Swahili, Amharic/Tigrinya) and must be of Eritrean or Ethiopian origin. •Experience working with refugee communities in urban settings. •Experience managing data collection and concrete knowledge of open-source tools such as ODK collect, KoBo Toolbox, Survey CTO or CommCare platforms. •Excellent people skills. Approachable personality and patience to connect with clients and address their unique needs. •Strong communication and report-writing skills. •Flexible approach to the changing nature of work and ability to adapt to rapidly changing work demands and expectations. •Ability to work effectively both independently and within a multicultural team. •Computer skills, especially Ms. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Key working relationships: The position reports to Senior Research Officer. Position directly supervises: N/A Other Internal and/or external contacts: Internal: Work with colleagues in the supply chain, finance, and administration sectors to foster integrated activity implementation.

Please note: •This position is open to Ugandans, and refugees of other nationalities in line with Re:Build’s ambitions to have refugees being Re:Build employees.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation.