Job Title: Sierra Leone Research Assistant

Classification: Short-term Consultant

Timeframe: November 2024 – February 2025

Number of Positions: 2

Estimated Workload: Up to 30 days

Salary: $50 USD per day

Job Description: Inclusive Development Partners (IDP) is seeking two Research Assistants for a short-term assignment in Sierra Leone. IDP is currently conducting research on the situation of children with disabilities, with a focus on their access to education, health and nutrition, social and child protection, and related services. The Research Assistant is responsible for supporting all aspects of data collection and entry during this study, including field-based data collection.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Access to a working personal computer and internet.
• At least 3 years of professional experience, including:

• At least 2 years of experience in data collection, research, or evaluation work

• Fluency in English and Krio is required. Fluency in additional languages spoken in Sierra Leone is an asset, but not required.
• Excellent computer and technology skills, including the ability to type quickly and accurately, use virtual communication platforms, record interviews, and schedule virtual meetings.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, research and evaluation, social sciences, or a related field.
• Highly reliable, trustworthy, and responsive to tasks in a timely and efficient manner.

Desired Qualifications:

• Professional experience working with persons with disabilities.
• Understanding of Sierra Leone public services including education systems, health and nutrition sectors, and social protection, particularly as they relate to persons with disabilities.
• Excellent data analysis and report writing skills.

Responsibilities:

The local researcher shall, in close collaboration with the IDP team, perform activities that include:

• Attend regular meetings virtually and respond to regular emails in a timely manner
• Prepare for data collection in Freetown area + 2 other regions of Sierra Leone, including phoning stakeholders, preparing invitations, organizing travel logistics, and scheduling meetings
• Translate data collection tools from English to Krio
• Conduct in-person and phone-based data collection, including surveys, focus groups, and interviews, in Krio and English

• Travel for 1-2 weeks to conduct data collection in other regions of Sierra Leone outside of Freetown
• Stakeholders will include children with disabilities, their caregivers, community members, government personnel, civil society organizations, and others

• Make recordings and take detailed notes during data collection activities
• Lead data entry efforts, including back-translating from Krio to English, typing meeting notes, entering survey data, or inputting data into other formats as requested
• Ensure all research efforts are conducted with quality, fidelity, professionalism, and timeliness
• Support data analysis and report writing as requested

Application Process:

Interested applicants should submit their CV and cover letter to recruitment@inclusivedevpartners.com by September 29th, 2024. Submission of emails should be titled “Sierra Leone Research Assistant.”

As this study focuses on the lived experience of persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone, persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply for this role.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.