Researcher

Feinstein International Center

Vacancy Announcement (Nepal)

Feinstein International Center, Tufts University, as part of the Promoting Agriculture, Health, and Alternative Livelihoods Program (PAHAL) implemented by Mercy Corps  is currently seeking for qualified candidates for the below position in Nepal.

JOB POSITION: RESEARCHER - 01

Please refer to nepal.mercycorps.org for the full job description before applying. 

Interested candidates are requested to submit a CV (including two referees details) and cover letter by 27 February 2015 to the address below:

Email to: elizabeth.stites@tufts.edu

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

(Note: Shortlisted candidates will be notified by March 2nd 2015 and should be available for interview in person in Kathmandu or via Skype between March 2nd to 7th 2015).  

Attn: [Title of the Position for which you are Applying]

                                    Job Description: Researcher
                       Feinstein International Center, Tufts University
                                           As part of the
              Promoting Agriculture, Health, and Alternative Livelihoods
             Program(PAHAL)Implemented by Mercy Corps International

Background  on  the  Program:
The Promoting Agriculture, Health, and Alternative Livelihoods Program (PAHAL),
funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Food for Peace (FFP), is a five-year program that commenced in November 2014. It seeks to strengthen livelihoods, improve nutritional status and increase the capacity of vulnerable households to mitigate, adapt to and recover from shocks and stresses in communities with deep poverty and high rates of
malnutrition in critical zones of the Mid-Western and Far- Western Regions of Nepal.

Mercy Corps has formed a dynamic consortium of local and international partners that combines extensive experience and knowledge of the communities in rural Nepal, strong relationships with local organizations and structures, and evidence and learning from global contexts. Together,Mercy Corps, Plan International USA (Plan), International Development Enterprises (iDE), Tufts University’s Feinstein International Center (FIC), and Nepalese partners NTAG, Rupantaran,RIMS-Nepal and SAPPROS, will work at a systemic level to address both the symptoms and root causes of food insecurity in order to build community resilience. The consortium has designed an intervention strategy based on its members’ proven ability to achieve lasting results in Nepal, and on extensive and on-going assessments of key food security constraints.

The Feinstein International Center of Tufts University is an academic research center dedicated to improving the lives and livelihoods of marginalized and crisis-affected communities through evidence-based research geared towards informing policies and programming. As part of the PAHAL program in Nepal, FIC will be designing and leading research to investigate the social,economic and political factors contributing to resilience and vulnerability at the community,household and individual level. The FIC team will coordinate research activities with the monitoring, evaluation and learning activities of Mercy Corps and partners, and will seek to provide evidence to inform and improve on-going and emerging programs.

OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF ENGAGEMENT:

The full-time Researcher will conduct and lead qualitative and quantitative data collection, manage local field teams, coordinate with the other consortium members and other Tufts University programs in country, and contribute to analysis, writing and dissemination. She or he will be based in Kathmandu with extensive and regular travel to several field sites in the Far-West and Mid-West region. She or he will work closely with Mercy Corps staff members,FIC researchers, consultants, and field personnel. The Researcher selected for this position will be housed in the Mercy Corps offices in Kathmandu but will report to the FIC team.

The initial period of employment is from the date of hire (expected mid to late March at the earliest) until the end of 2015, with the possibility of extension on a yearly basis. This position will be paid as a consultant. This is not a Tufts University employee position, and hence does not include university benefits such as insurance (health, life, medevac, or disability) or pensions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Researcher will have a wide variety of responsibilities ranging from primary qualitative and quantitative data collection, team management, day-to-day program coordination, and report writing. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

Research:

• Participate in and contribute to study design
• Collection and write-up of qualitative data and field notes (including anthropological profiles of local communities; community-mapping and timeline participatory exercises; descriptions of livelihood threats, market conditions,and governance at research sites;life history interviews in semi-structured open-ended format; and focus group discussions).
• Collection of quantitative data (household panel survey) and overseeing data collection by surveyors
• Data cleaning, entry and analysis as needed
• Draft or contribute to reports from the field and on quantitative and qualitative findings

Management & Coordination:

• Manage the survey team, including hiring, training, payment, and logistics oftravel and research
• Collect and manage the primary data as needed
• Coordinate with other consortium members, other Tufts programs, and relevant stakeholders
• Establish relationships with additional stakeholders and potential partners,including academic institutions and local research organizations
• Represent FIC to government bodies and other actors as needed

Administrative:

• Translation of data instruments into Nepali and/or local languages
• Contribute as needed to documents for IRB clearance (university and Nepali)
• Oversee and coordinate the Nepali IRB process as required
• Manage the field budget and provide timely receipts and financial reports
• Arrange local travel, accommodation, and field logistics as required
• Providing regular reports and updates on activities

Additional responsibilities will be clarified following the completion of study design.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants will be judged against the following list of ideal qualifications:

• A graduate degree in the social sciences
• 3-5 years of relevant research and/or programmatic experience
• A background in anthropological/sociological field research
• Thorough knowledge of sociology and politics of rural Nepal
• Ability to assess research-related risks, if any
• Experience with participatory qualitative methods
• Experience with quantitative data collection and analysis
• Demonstrated excellence in written and spoken English and Nepali, including ability towrite-up data and field notes, draft reports, and contribute to publications
• Proficiency in relevant local language (s) a plus
• Management experience
• Ability to work well in diverse teams
• Ability to work well independently, to take initiative, to problem solve, and to think critically
• Excellent organizational skills
• Good communication skills
• Ability to travel regularly and for extended periods within Nepal (costs will be covered)
• Flexibility and willingness to take on new tasks as the program grows and evolves

As a university we are committed to learning and personal development. Applicants who are strong in some of the above areas and have a willingness to learn in others will be considered.

How to Apply:
Submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae, including contact emails for two references, via email to elizabeth.stites@tufts.edu by February 27th. Finalists will be notified on March 2nd and should be available for interview in person in Kathmandu or via Skype during the week of March 2nd-7th.