Qualitative Data Collector

ACTED Lebanon is seeking to recruit several qualitative data collectors to be added to a roster of pre-qualified daily workers. Data collectors should be available on an occasional basis for daily work, often on short notice.

The data collector will work closely with ACTED’s Appraisal, Monitoring, and Evaluation Unit (AMEU) to prepare for, coordinate, and conduct interviews and focus group discussions with participants in ACTED’s projects and/or other key stakeholders. The main tasks that the data collectors will undertake include in-depth interviews, key-informant interviews, and focus group discussions.

The ideal candidate has significant experience with or training in qualitative data collection methods and enjoys interacting with and interviewing people. Candidates should be charismatic and dynamic, highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and have experience interviewing or working with people from marginalized communities. 

The data collector may be based anywhere in Lebanon but must be available to commute to Beirut upon request. Data collectors must also be willing to conduct field work as requested. All work days will be paid, including training, preparation, travel, data collection, and write-up. Any concurrently held employment must not pose a conflict of interest.

Current graduate students or recent graduates of a master’s program with qualitative data collection experience and/or training are especially encouraged to apply.

Essential functions

• Enthusiastically participate in data collection trainings, including pilots to test and tailor data collection tools;
• Diligently prepare for, coordinate, and conduct qualitative interviews, focus group discussions, and observations as requested for ACTED projects;
• Conduct interviews with project participants, community members, and local authorities through phone communication, site visits, and household visits as appropriate;
• Regularly and proactively communicate and coordinate with the designated AMEU focal point to ensure the data collection progresses smoothly;
• Type up and proofread interview notes and conduct data entry as requested;
• Respect and promote ACTED’s policies and report to the designated AMEU focal point in case of a breach;
• Other duties as assigned.

Mandatory knowledge or experience

• Demonstrated experience and/or academic or professional training in qualitative data collection methods
• Total fluency in spoken and written Arabic; full professional proficiency in spoken and written English
• Competency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence interacting with people of any background, including local authorities
• Familiarity with best practices for interviewing and working with vulnerable populations
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to prompt, probe, and adapt the lines of questioning during an interview as necessary

Preferred qualifications or experience

• Undergraduate or graduate-level coursework in human subject research and data collection methods (e.g., anthropology, psychology, public health, social work, or similar)
• Total fluency in spoken and written English
• Training on and/or certification in ethical human subject research
• Experience working with non-governmental organizations and/or outreach and community work
• Experience with both phone-based and in-person qualitative data collection
• Experience with mobile data collection (KoBo Toolbox, ONA, CommCare, etc.)