Research and Data Quality Officer

SCOPE OF WORK

USAID KARNALI WATER ACTIVITY

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

The USAID/Nepal Karnali Water Activity will create healthy, resilient, and water secure communities at the watershed level through strengthened water and sanitation governance that improves water resource management (including water for more resilient and biodiverse ecosystems), enhances sustainable access to drinking water, improves agriculture water management, and reduces the fecal pathogen burden in the environment from poorly managed non-sewered sanitation through fecal sludge management. The program team will methodically integrate Water Resource Management, watershed biodiversity conservation, and water and sanitation service delivery by mapping and strengthening the roles, connections, and capacities of key actors and stakeholders’ system wide.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Research and Data Quality Officer will assist the MEL Manager providing support to monitor, consolidate, and analyze events and indicator data with evidence and to design and execute the assessments and research activities of the USAID Karnali Water Activity. This position will report to the MEL Manager.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Research and Data Quality Officer will be responsible for the following tasks, but not limited to: 

• Assist the MEL Manager to design and develop data collection instruments, assessment and survey protocols, and other research and assessment inputs,
• Work with MEL Manager to oversee various assessments and research activities including, but not limited to: feasibility studies, detail engineering surveys, annual monitoring survey, data quality assessment and other emerging research and assessment needs,
• Assist program team on different research and capacity building activities mainly trainings and workshops.
• Assist program team on data entry of ongoing surveys and assessment and review of different reports including, but not limited to: Environment Review Report (ERR), subcontractor’s and service provider’s reports etc.
• Assist MEL Manager to develop tracking tools, forms, and formats including coding the tools in DAI Collect (Kobo Toolbox based application), validating the data creating pivot tables, data merger, designing excel based progress dashboard or powerBI dashboard etc.
• Review the consistency and accuracy of the data validated by M&ECCs and that collected by vendors, sub-contractors, and watershed offices as per USAID Karnali Water Activity Assurance Protocol.  
• Assist MEL manager to track the progress of ongoing surveys and assessments conducted by vendors or sub-contractors to ensure data quality standards, 
• Support to maintain and prepare data and evidence from surveys and assessments for the MEL Manager and program team members,
• Coordinate with watershed offices to track progress of construction, capacity development, strengthening WASH governance etc., gather activity progress data and supporting evidence, compile, and report to MEL Manager,
• Generate data analysis reports based on the data submitted in the DAI Collect server (Kobo Toolbox based application) of the ongoing events, surveys and assessments,
• Support the preparation of training/orientation packages to vendors and subcontractors on data collection and data reporting. Supervise/oversee data quality as needed.
• Support MEL Manager to document and finalize the research products (datasets, reports and learning documents) of the USAID Karnali Water Activity.
• Participate to conduct data quality assessments, spot-check and data backtracking as assigned by MEL Manager.
• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned by MEL Manager

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 6 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree or 3 years of experience with a master’s degree in a relevant field. (For excluded group, 5years with bachelor’s degree or 2 years with master’s degree). 
• Sound knowledge and skills to design data collection instruments in electronic data collection systems (e.g. KoBo Toolbox)
• Experience on developing data visualization presentations and/or products is highly preferred. 
• Must have sound skills in excel based data management- creating pivot tables, merging data, designing excel based progress dashboard etc.
• Advanced skill on word processing and spreadsheet data management
• Experience working on USAID-funded programs is an advantage.
• Knowledge of handling digital data collection platforms is mandatory.
• Experience working with GIS platforms and GIS mapping will add the value.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both languages (English and Nepali)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A demonstrated ability to effectively interact with vendors and sub-contractors, external stakeholders, and program team.
• Commitment to values: integrity, responsibility, excellence, and global citizenship.
• Excellent organizational skills

LEVEL OF EFFORT, LOCATION, AND REPORTING

The level of effort is 260 days per year. The employment contract will be on a yearly basis, with possible extensions until the close of the project. The Research and Data Quality Officer reports to the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager.  The position is based in Surkhet. 

APPLICATION LINK: 

https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/pzc3hf3eh3/index

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please fill out the required information and upload CV. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as interviews will be conducted soon. Please note, due to the volume of applications that we receive and the urgency to fill-up positions only shortlisted applicants will receive notifications on next steps. 

Interested candidates should submit their application no later than June 16, 2024. 

DAI promotes workforce diversity and considers excluded groups to include women, Dalits, indigenous ethnic groups, Madhesi, Muslim, persons with disabilities, people living in remote areas, and sexual and gender minorities. 

ABOUT DAI

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.  DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.