Qualitative and Policy Research Specialist (East Africa) – [Extended Term Consultant]
Project: MVP Final Evaluation: Process Evaluation and Policy Analysis
Location: Based at the Columbia Goal Center in Nairobi, Kenya with 70-80% travel to rural settings of project countries.
Contract Duration: 12 months
Expected Start Date: November 2014
Columbia Global Centers | Africa is part of Columbia University’s global network of centers, which together aim to create opportunities in research, scholarship and teaching around the world, and expand Columbia's mission as a global university. Established in Nairobi in 2011, CGC Africa links the continent to Columbia’s scientific rigor, technological innovation, and academic leadership. It provides Columbia students and academics with a base from which to conduct research in and for Africa, in disciplines including sustainable development, urban planning and climate change. The Centre also works closely with policymakers, governments, and regional institutions in order to provide them with objective, science-based evidence for their pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals and the fight against global poverty. Operations span across East and Southern Africa, including support for six Millennium Village sites (MVs) in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The Millennium Villages Project (MVP) (http://www.millenniumvillages.org/index.htm) is a joint initiative between Columbia University’s Earth Institute, Millennium Promise (NGO), the United Nations, and various partner organizations. Launched in 2005, the project has been implemented in fourteen village clusters across ten African countries and reached approximately 450,000 beneficiaries. Under the MVP model, project personnel work alongside rural communities and local governments to implement a package of interventions in four sectors: health, education, infrastructure, and agriculture. The interventions were designed to help the Millennium Villages achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
In order to track the project’s progress, MVP has established a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation platform headed by a team of Columbia University researchers in New York, a Millennium Development Goal Centre in Dakar, and a second Millennium Development Goal Centre in Nairobi. Monitoring and evaluation of the MVP includes four components: (1) Household Impact Surveys, (2) Process Evaluation, (3) Economic Costing, and (4) Outcome Monitoring.
The M & E team is currently conducting its final evaluation for ten Millennium Village sites (MVs). As part of that evaluation, the M & E team requires a Qualitative & Policy Research Specialist (East Africa)to carry out the Process Evaluation study across MVP’s East and Southern African sites. This position is an extended term consultancy for 12 months. Although it will technically be based in Nairobi, the research specialist will spend most of his/her time at the field sites with 2 weeks between each visit. There is a possibility for extension after the 12 months expire. The Center invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position of Qualitative and Policy Research Specialist (East Africa).
Desk Research & Site Liaison:
- Critically reviewing MVP field reports, background literature, work plans, and sector strategy documents
- Conducting research on topics related to MVP site cultures, development policies, or politics
- Closely collaborating with Process Evaluation Research Analyst based in New York/West Africa to ensure proper methodologies, data management, and quality assurance across all sites
- Coordinating with MDG Center Regional M&E Advisor based in Nairobi on data collection
- Fact-checking with MV site team leaders, M&E coordinators, and other MVP parties of interest.
Field Work & Data Collection (November 2014 – June 2015):
- The Qualitative & Policy Research Specialist will be tasked to execute the Process Evaluation research component of the 2015 final evaluation for five Millennium Village sites. He/she will be expected to spend 4 weeks at each site and liaise with key informants as necessary.
- Principal responsibilities include: conducting semi-structured interviews, facilitating focus groups, writing in-depth observational field notes, and managing site-level research assistants. Interviews and focus groups will be based on a set of Process Evaluation questionnaires developed in New York. The Qualitative & Policy Research Specialist should also be at ease probing additional areas of inquiry germane to each site’s particular context and project history until he/she is able to fully comprehend its project narrative.
- A secondary data collection responsibility will involve mapping out policy changes that have occurred within the site or have been influenced by the project’s presence. Some of this work may require travel to the Countries Capital cities such as Dodoma, Lilongwe, Kampala, etc.
Data Management and Analysis:
- All interviews and focus group discussions will be recorded, transcribed, cleaned, and managed with technical assistance from the PE Research Analyst. Consultant will be responsible for a portion of these activities. This data will then be quality assured, packaged, and backed up on a secure data server for public release.
- Coding and analysis to be carried out in close collaboration with the PE Research Analyst and the Regional M&E Advisor
- Consultant will be positioned as the principal qualitative analyst for the sites from which he/she collects data. An ideal candidate may be considered for a subsequent analysis position based in New York or Nairobi.
- Mixed methods analyses will be designed in collaboration with technical support from PE Research Analyst and the New York technical team.
- Outputs will include but are not limited to: (1) Anecdotes and content for book publication; (2) Final evaluation reports for external stakeholders; (3) “Lessons Learned” memos and policy briefs; (4) Peer-reviewed, academic journal articles; and MDG Center & MVP Site feedback sessions
Skills Required:
- Master’s degree and 3+ years of relevant experience in public policy, program evaluation, development, international affairs, or qualitative social science research
- Previous international fieldwork required, preferably in developing context
- Familiarity with research methodologies in the social sciences, history, politics, anthropology, sociology, public policy, development studies, program evaluation, international affairs, or related disciplines; Eagerness to apply this background to a very complex, expeditious research agenda and triangulate qualitative findings with quantitative data
- Previous experience in anthropology, journalism, or focus group research also advantageous
- Outstanding oral/written communication with capacity to compile information coherently and succinctly;
- Passionate about the role of communities in development with ability to facilitate interviews and focus group discussions among very different types of informants
- Excellent research skills / able to situate subjective responses against objective fact-checking
- High attention to detail and commitment to work under tight deadlines
- Sensitivity to cultures, genders, religions, ethnicities, nationalities, ages, and other forms of diversity
- English fluency; French, Swahili, and local language skills advantageous
- Familiarity with international development issues, particularly the MDGs and rural development
- Active problem solving, flexibility, energy, sense of humor, and creative, constructive attitude
Supervision:
The ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team is essential. The Qualitative & Policy Research specialist will be immediately supervised by the Regional M&E Advisor at the MDG Center in Nairobi. Technical training and assistance with research and data analysis will be done with the PE Research Analyst in New York / West Africa.
How to apply:
Columbia Global Centers Africa is an equal opportunity employer. Applications for this position should be sent torecruitment@cgcafrica.org not later than 15th October 2014. The CV should include contacts of three referees. Please put “Qualitative & Policy Research Specialist (East Africa)” in the e-mail subject heading. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
To learn more about us visit http://globalcenters.columbia.edu/content/columbia-global-centers-africa.
