Role :   Job Opportunities : Research Assistant
Location :   Maroua
Company URL :   www.rescue.org

The International Rescue Committee Cameroon (IRC) and UC Berkeley Human Rights Center HRC are seeking,

Background/ Context

The UC Berkeley Human Rights Center (HRC) is partnering with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) on a research study on cash assistance programs in humanitarian settings to generate evidence on the protection risks and barriers associated with the targeting and delivery of cash to vulnerable groups.

This two-year project involves two phases of research. During the first phase of the research, the research team will conduct qualitative research in Cameroon to explore the full range of protection risks faced by two or three selected vulnerable groups, which may include (but are not limited to) female-headed households, older persons, persons with disabilities, persons with limited or lack of legal status and/or identity, or persons from ethnic minority groups. Field research in Cameroon will take place in March 2018.

Data collection will include key informant interviews (approximately 8-12) with key stakeholders in cash assistance and protection programs, interviews with cash assistance recipients (approximately 10-15 interviews), and focus groups with cash assistance recipients (approximately 8 focus groups of 8-10 participants per group).

IRC and HRC will use evidence gathered from the first phase of the research to inform a toolkit, which practitioners in humanitarian settings can use to plan and implement cash assistance programs. In the second phase, IRC will pilot the toolkit within a cash transfer program in one country, and HRC will conduct operational research to adapt and validate the tool.

IRC and HRC are recruiting qualitative researchers to work with IRC and HRC during the first phase of the research in March 2018.

Roles and Responsabilities

The roles and responsibilities of research assistants are to:

• Conduct interviews with cash assistance recipients and key stakeholders in cash and protection programs.
• Assist with planning and logistics of interviews and organize participants in a safe and efficient manner.
• Introduce participants to the study, including the purpose of the study, their role and rights to refuse to answer, confidentiality, etc.
• Obtain informed consent of participants, including responding to any questions or issues.
• Use an audio-recording device as permitted by the research participants.
• Ask questions of interviewees in a way which encourages trust and openness of participants.
• Conduct careful probing of participants for clarifications or more detailed answers to the questions that are asked.
• Conduct detailed note-taking and type up notes after interviews.
• Report back (written or oral reports) to Quality Assurance Supervisor and HRC Research Supervisors.
• Conduct detailed note-taking during focus groups.
• Assist with planning and logistics of focus groups and organize participants in a safe and efficient manner.
• Support the focus group moderator by taking detailed notes during focus group discussions.
• Work with the focus group moderator to report back (written or oral reports) to Quality Assurance Supervisor and HRC Research Supervisors.
• Assist with the translation and transcription of interviews, focus groups, and research documents as needed.
• Attend and actively participate in all training sessions and complete assigned training activities as required.
• Work in cooperation with the HRC research team and IRC staff.
• Adhere to a data collection protocol provided to all data collectors at the beginning of the study.
• Display a positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritise work under pressure, able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Attend all required de-briefing sessions following focus group and interview activities.
• Ensure confidentiality of all focus groups and interviews, and proper confidential transfer of all data as specified in the data collection protocol.

Skills, Qualifications and Expérience

• Must be able to speak and understand English. Must be fluent in one or more languages spoken in the Far North region (Mandara, Haousa, Kanuri, Arab shoa, Kotoko and/or Fulfulde…) 
• Must have experience working with vulnerable groups and be able to discuss sensitive subjects.
• Must be able to discuss in an honest, open, and respectful manner with individuals and in groups.
• Must possess interest and commitment to human rights.
• Previous experience with qualitative data collection techniques. s. Experience moderating focus group discussions is preferred.
• Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.