Consultant Research Assistant, Bangladesh, 3ie

Job Description

Title: Consultant Research Assistant, Bangladesh, 3ie

Company Name: International Initiative for Impact Evaluation

Vacancy: 1

Job Location: Anywhere in Bangladesh

Employment Status: Contractual

Educational Requirements:
∎ Masters degree in any discipline
∎ Skills Required: Others

Experience Requirements:
∎ At least 2 year(s)
∎ The applicants should have experience in the following area(s): Others
∎ The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

Job Context:
∎ 3ie is looking for a full-time consultant in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to collaborate on a rigorous impact and a process evaluation of a large-scale aquaculture intervention implemented by WorldFish in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions. The goals of the intervention are to improve productivity of fish ponds owned by smallholders, strengthen aquaculture value chains, promote women’s empowerment, and improve nutrition among households in fish-farming areas. The evaluation will test whether the intervention achieves these outcomes and will examine the mechanisms by which the intervention produces its effects.
∎ The project encompasses the following components:
∎ A process evaluation beginning at the outset and continuing over the life of the project, with emphasis on early capture of problems, opportunities, or trends that may be important for the WorldFish project’s success and potential impacts
∎ An impact evaluation that examines causal program impacts on stated household and individual outcomes. The impact evaluation will use a randomized design and three rounds of primary data collected in the beginning, middle and end of the project. The estimated sample size of the impact evaluation is close to 4,000 households over 176 unions. The baseline for the evaluation has been completed in 2021
∎ Maintain ongoing dialogue and develop collaborative working relationships with WorldFish, and relevant stakeholders, to ensure the relevance of all research activities and outputs. Collaborate with WorldFish to support their policy influencing activities.
∎ Development and implementation of a stakeholder engagement and evidence use plan for the evaluations to monitor, measure and report on activities designed to promote the uptake and use of evaluation findings.
∎ The evaluation started in April 2019, and the project will continue until April 2025. Currently, the evaluation team comprises researchers at 3ie, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich. The role and responsibilities of the consultant research assistant who will be a part of the evaluation team are described in detail below.

Job Responsibilities:
∎ The consultant will be a resident or national of Bangladesh and be based out of Dhaka. This is a full-time position. S/he will be expected to work closely with all researchers of the evaluation team. S/he will report to the senior evaluation specialist at 3ie. Key responsibilities are outlined below.
∎ Ensure smooth and high-quality data collection operations by:
∎ Managing and coordinating multiple field-testing or piloting of questionnaires that will be undertaken by a data collection firm hired for this purpose
∎ Assisting in training master trainers of the data collection firm on questionnaires and primary survey methods
∎ Coordinating with the data collection partner to conduct quality assurance of collected data (e.g., performing back-checks, spot checks and data cleaning according to the protocol
∎ Support the process evaluations by:
∎ Accessing and summarizing existing secondary data sources and literature on aquaculture in Bangladesh from various sources
∎ Gathering qualitative data from households and other key stakeholders related to aquaculture in Bangladesh to understand the context of the project areas and test the main assumptions of the theory of change on the ground
∎ Conducting focused group discussions with men and women
∎ Collaborate with the evaluation team to analyze qualitative and quantitative data, write reports, and produce knowledge products such as summary reports and briefs
∎ Ensure constant and accurate communication between the evaluation team, WorldFish and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
∎ Day-to-day project management
∎ Qualifications and skills
∎ Master’s degree in agriculture, economics, biosciences, sociology or nutrition
∎ At least two years’ experience in statistical data analysis using excel and STATA. Having quantitative data analysis skills and prior experience using STATA is required for this role
∎ Some knowledge of conducting qualitative interviews and FGDs with men and women farmers
∎ Two to three years’ experience conducting field work in rural areas in developing countries
∎ Experience managing complex field operations to meet firm project deadlines and ensure data quality
∎ Proficiency in speaking, reading and writing Bangla
∎ Ability and willingness to travel regularly and at short notice to project sites within Bangladesh
∎ Ability and willingness to work remotely and independently
∎ Commitment to designing and carrying out inclusive, ethical, equitable, and gender- responsive research
∎ Excellent English-language skills
∎ Eligibility
∎ The successful candidate must be a resident of Bangladesh and have the right to work. 3ie is an equal-opportunity employer committed to equality and diversity. We do not discriminate based on sex, age, religion, ethnicity, caste, sexual orientation or for being differently abled. We particularly encourage ethnic minorities and differently-abled persons to apply.
∎ Terms of employment
∎ Candidates should be available to start work at the earliest. The role expects at least eight hours of work per day for 20 days in a month. The contract will be valid for one year from the date of joining. The remuneration rate will be in the range of USD 900-1000 per month based on experience. Our policies and procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse. We follow a zero-tolerance policy for any form of bullying or harassment in the workplace.

Additional Requirements:
∎ Please apply by e-mail to [email protected] and mention ‘Consultant - research assistant Bangladesh’ in the subject line. The application package must* include the following:
∎ Cover letter highlighting your experience in field work, conducting or managing primary data collection and data analysis. A summary of your curriculum vitae is not a substitute
∎ Curriculum vitae, no more than two pages
∎ Name and contact information for three references
∎ *Incomplete applications will not be considered.
∎ Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and asked to submit references and proof of experience. 3ie reserves the right to not hire. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the submission deadline is 21 January 2022 (5pm IST).
∎ Person with disability are encouraged to apply

Salary:
∎ The remuneration rate will be in the range of USD 900-1000 per month based on experience.

Job Source: Bdjobs.com Online Job Posting.

Application Deadline: 21 Jan 2022

Company Information:
∎ 5 Jan 2022
∎ International Initiative for Impact Evaluation
∎ Address : 1111, 19th Street, NW, Suite 700
∎ Web : https://www.3ieimpact.org/
∎ Business : The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) is a global leader in funding, producing, quality assuring and synthesising rigorous evidence. We support studies and reviews that examine what works, for whom, why and at what cost in low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs). We are also a global advocate for the generation and use of quality evidence in development decision-making. 3ie is a membership organisation with a global network of members and key partners.

Category: NGO/Development