Assistant Consultant - Monitoring & Evaluation (M & E) at Oxford Policy Management

Reference: M&E/AC/NIG
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Job Description

• We are delighted to announce that we are looking to hire a Qualitative Research Specialist into our Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Nigeria team.
• As a key member of the team, contribute to the growth of the country office and company-wide consultancy business by providing advice and inputs on technical issues relating to actual and potential projects.
• You will support the work of the Nigeria team as required to deliver projects and carry out other tasks under the direction of the team leader in accordance with an agreed annual performance agreement including associated financial and other targets.
• As a Qualitative Specialist in our MERL team, you will support the acquisition and delivery of qualitative and mixed methods research and evaluations involving participatory research methods, .
• We undertake our research and evaluation  in collaboration with our Sector Practices, and in fact a core competitive advantage at OPM is our ability to combine methodological expertise with a breadth and depth of sectoral and national level understanding for the delivery of robust and policy relevant qualitative and mixed methods research and evaluation.

Key Responsibilities

• Support, and where appropriate, lead the technical delivery of qualitative research and mixed methods projects
• Work across the research cycle including defining analysis plans, leading scoping visits, designing sampling strategies, developing research guides, managing and leading training and data collection, designing and carrying out analysis, and disseminating results through written reports, briefing notes, and presentations
• Contribute to technical leadership by actively participating in the Qualitative Research Technical Community by writing research papers and blogs, presenting at workshops and managing a database of research for the team
• Lead proposal development in support of new business, including writing technical proposals, identifying experts and team leaders, and creating proposal budgets.

Required Skills and Experience

• Degree and Post Graduate qualification in a relevant discipline (Anthropology, Sociology, Development Studies or other appropriate Social Science discipline)
• Graduate level training and advanced qualitative technical knowledge including qualitative research design and analysis, using NVIVO or similar software)
• Two  or more years of demonstrable experience leading or conducting qualitative research and monitoring, evaluation and learning projects
• Demonstrable experience designing and leading focus group discussions, interviews, observations, and participatory research in mixed methods studies, formative, summative or process evaluations
• Demonstrable experience developing and delivering training on qualitative research
• Experience working in research in Nigeria and West Africa
• Ability to travel overseas for short-term assignments
• Preferred Skills and Experience
• Familiarity with quantitative and mixed-methods designs
• Experience in managing research teams and budgets and data collection
• Ability to work in at least one relevant language other than English
• Experience of project management, including the management of project teams
• Familiarity working with a range of clients including foundations, philanthropies and multi-lateral funders.

Behavioural Capabilities:

• Mutual support - Builds respectful relationships that support effective and collaborative working. Facilitates open discussions that create ‘win-win’ outcomes and helps others solve problems.
• Accountability – Comfortable taking ownership, able to explain decisions and actions honestly, whilst supporting others ideas and mistakes.
• Trust - Demonstrates generosity and warmth, believes in others, giving credit where credit is due. Shares information openly, honestly and in a straightforward manner    
• Integrity – Ability to take a principled position but remains open minded. Respects the rights of colleagues, partners and beneficiaries and delivers a quality product to clients with maximum impact. Recognises if mistakes are made; learns and improves.
• Collaboration - Works across boundaries to co-create solutions with colleagues, offers help and support without being asked - open to new ideas, Works as a constructive, effective and positive team members.
• Empowerment - Takes responsibility for problems and for leading the delivery of solutions, Supports a productive environment in which people can work autonomously and feel part of a supportive team.

Remuneration
OPM offer a competitive salary, a contribution pension scheme, and a generous holiday entitlement.