Research Assistants for the Qualitative Study at Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH)

Ref Number: RA-001-2014
Location of assignment: FCT
Reporting to: Survey Principal Investigator.

Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), a Principal Recipient to the Global Fund Round-9 TB grant in Nigeria, is hereby seeking for qualified and experienced research assistants to conduct an operation research in selected DOTS facilities in FCT. The successful candidates will collect qualitative data from selected respondents at both the TB DOTS facilities and communities within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for an approximate period of two weeks.

The specific tasks of the research assistant are:

•     Attend the Central training on the data collection methods
•     With the DOTS focal person and the TBLS, the research assistant will facilitate mobilization of study participants for Focus Group Discussions, In Depth Interviews and Key Informant Interviews.
•     Determine the appropriate venue within the community for the FGD, IDI and KII.
•     Liaise with the consultant and the ARFH team in the provision of logistics arrangements (transportations for participants of the FGDs, IDI and KII)
•     Actively participate in collecting and collating data; this will entail conducting Focus Group Discussions, and In Depth Interviews using qualitative questionnaires already developed for the study. As such the Research assistant will
•     Conduct and moderate the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), In-depth Interviews (IDI), and Key Informant Interviews (KII)
•     Take notes at the FGD, IDI and KII
•     Record all sessions on the Digital Voice Recorder that will be supplied for the task.
•     Transcribe and typeset all audio recordings of the sessions (FGDs, IDI and KII)
•     Assist the consultant in the analysis of the data using either NVIVO or any other qualitative software.
•     Carry out any other duties as may be required by the consultant or ARFH team.

Deliverables

•     All audio devices that were used in the study.
•     Fully transcribed recordings of all sessions (FGDs, KII and IDI).
•     Fully completed retirement forms. All advances must be adequately retired using approved retirement forms

Skills required:

•     Outstanding oral and written communications and editing skills, with proven ability to compile information coherently and succinctly;
•     Ability to facilitate interviews and focus group discussions among very different types of informants;
•     Previous experience in conducting qualitative research in Nigeria will be highly desired
•     Ability to demonstrate excellent research and fact-checking skills;
•     High attention to detail and ability to work under tight deadlines;
•     Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
•     English and Hausa fluency;
•     Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Qualifications:

•     Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a social sciences or science discipline.
•     At least 3 years’ experience working in the field of Public Health or International Development.
•     Knowledge of computer programs with special reference to NVIVO or any other software used in analysis of qualitative data as well as Microsoft word and excel..
•     Fluent in written and spoken English.
•     Willingness and ability to travel within the various area councils in FCT
•     Must be resident in FCT.
•     Demonstrable experience conducting and analysing qualitative field research.