Senior Research Officer - Int Dev Research, Survey & Data Management

Economic Development Initiatives (EDI) Ltd
High Wycombe, United Kingdom (30 minute commute from London) - United Kingdom
S: Competitive

Senior Research Officer - International Development Research, Survey and Data Management

Economic Development Initiatives (EDI) Ltd is a research consultancy working in international development and has offices based in the UK and East Africa. EDI works with high profile development clients such as the World Bank, National Governments, Millennium Challenge Corporation, DFID and others in co-developing and implementing large scale socio-economic surveys. We have also developed a leading data-collection software product, surveybeâ„¢, for conducting large scale international development surveys, and we support clients all over the world with the preparation and implementation of surveys on CAPI technology using this software.

EDI now seeks a Senior Research Officer to work with our survey teams in the running of high-value large-scale surveys and impact evaluations (on health, agriculture, education, financial inclusion…), as well supporting our external surveybe clients in the preparation and implementation of their own research surveys on mobile technology using the surveybe software.

As a Senior Research Officer, you will:

Work with our overseas teams to conceptualize and set-up surveys, including configuring questionnaires using the surveybe software, training of our field teams, piloting/testing the survey, setting up data processing and quality control procedures, and writing manuals;
Monitor the field progress and incoming data, and provide feedback to the team;
Prepare final data sets for client delivery and assist in writing reports;
Use your survey expertise to support our surveybe clients as they move from paper based questionnaires to electronic questionnaires (PAPI to CAPI);
Conduct remote (online) and on-site training sessions for survey and field teams to build client capacity to configure and manage their own surveys using the software;
Guide clients through the design and configuration of their project specific questionnaires in surveybe, and advise on best data model/structure of their survey;
Provide guidance to junior staff both in the UK and in Tanzania;
Contribute to business generation, lead the preparation of project proposals, company profiles, expressions of interest and tenders for EDI and surveybe projects as required;
Contribute to in-house research on measurement issues and data quality;
Contribute to the scientific and/or public debate through the writing of papers, reports, policy briefs and through presentations at conferences and workshops;
In conjunction with the Senior Research Manager, you will identify and apply to research grants;
Raise the profile and visibility of the work conducted by EDI on different social media.

This exciting role will provide the opportunity for significant international travel to East Africa and other developing countries, often in remote areas.

The applicant must possess:

Essential:

A Master's Degree in Development Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, or similar;
At least 2-3 years of experience in quantitative data collection in developing countries;
Strong experience in questionnaire design;
Experience with CAPI softwares (surveybe, ODK, etc);
An excellent command of STATA and writing do-files for dealing with large datasets;
Experience in socio-economic research and impact evaluation methods;
Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures, and working with teams from a distance;
Experience conducting training and/or working in a client facing role;
Demonstrated experience of an organised and flexible approach to managing and prioritising multiple concurrent projects and activities in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines;
Excellent interpersonal and consultative skills, including the ability to communicate, present, negotiate and influence a variety of audiences;
A strong attention to detail;
Willingness to travel on short notice and on a flexible time basis;
Willingness to work flexible hours to meet client deadlines;
Ability to work independently;
Excellent command of spoken and written English;
Must have the right to work in the UK.

Desirable:

Extensive knowledge of SQL and other software related syntax/code, otherwise the ability and enthusiasm to learn and apply it;
Working experience in East Africa;
Experience in writing academic papers/research policy documents, particularly in topics related to poverty research.


Working arrangements:
The position is full time and the candidate would be based at EDI's offices in High Wycombe (town centre), an easy commute from central London. International travel will be required.

To apply please send an up-to-date curriculum vitae, with a detailed list of experiences in surveys and data collection (of no more than 3 sides of A4) and a detailed statement (of no more than 2 sides of A4) explaining why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you suitable. Please indicate in your detailed statement when you are available to start work.

Please send applications to vacancies@surveybe.com no later than August 29th 2016 at 09:00hrs (UK Time). Please make sure you include the title of the post you are applying for in the email subject and where you heard about the vacancy in your cover letter.

For further information on EDI, see http://edi-global.com/

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