Research Officer

Summary of the key functions/responsibilities:

1.      Provide technical assistance to the development of overall task 4 planning and implementation;

2.      Supporting key colleagues including the Task 4 lead, working with other research officers, MEL and TQA teams, and wider TARGET team to ensure that all Task 4 deliverables are completed to a high standard, on time and within budget;

3.      RO will have specific responsibility for working on the Responsive Research Function and EERN activity;

4.      RO will have specific responsibility for ensuring ethical protocols are established and adhered to for all research work – setting up the Ethics processes and permissions for activity across Task 4 using EdDev Trust’s internal Ethics board and process; and ensure that other local ethical protocols are followed and permissions are secured for all research and fieldwork;

5.      Support all aspects of delivery linked to deliverable D4.4 – production of Education Financing Strategy by commissioning experts from OPM to work with the MoFEC and MoE;

6.      Support the wider Research Team to procure, manage and disseminate research work conducted in Task 4;

7.      Assist in coordinating/organizing research related public presentations, workshops and trainings including those related to the EERN activity;

8.      Ensure that all Research activities are carried out through effective communication and evaluation findings are disseminated with all relevant internal and external stakeholders.

Person specification:

 Knowledge

MA in Education field (e.g. Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Psychology, Educational Planning and Management, Special Needs Education, Adult Education) is required.

Experience and skills

·       At least 4 years of experience in designing, managing and implementing multi-year, multi-component education research projects in developing countries;

• Strong research background required with an ability to design and analyse education data through proven methodologies and experience of gap analysis preferable;
• Qualitative and quantitative research experience and knowledge required;
• Proven record of published research work;
• Previous experience completing research ethics processes and applications;
• Previous experience managing external providers of research necessary – understanding of tender processes and contracting useful;
• Demonstrated solid knowledge on education and on gender and inequity issues in relation to education;
• At least 2 years of experience in working with NGOs is required;
• At least 2 years of experience of working with MoE or REBs required;
• Excellent writing skills required;
• Ability to edit others’ work to a high standard;
• Good communication skills – skill in public speaking and presentation of research;
• Experience of effective dissemination planning desired;
• Demonstrated strong analytical, research skills, critical thinking required;
• Demonstrated organizational skills;
• Excellent data management skills, in particular use of Excel AND other statistical software (e.g. SPSS, STATA) as well as qualitative analysis software packages (e.g. NVIVO) preferable;
• Previous working experience in Ethiopia;
• Excellent written and spoken English.