Research & MEAL officer

General Description:

The Research & MEAL officer will support research projects and work closely with the research team on data collection, management, analysis, and reporting to ensure high-quality outputs. This position requires a strong foundation in quantitative and qualitative research and familiarity with the mental health field. The Research & MEAL officer will also support Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) reporting when needed. This may include data management, analysis, and contributing to reporting tasks in collaboration with the MEAL team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Data Collection and Transcription:
  • Transcribe and translate data, ensuring accuracy and maintaining caller anonymity.
  • Organize and prepare qualitative and quantitative data for analysis.
  • Assist with administering surveys and conducting interviews to gather data on the research topic.
• Data Analysis:
  • Conduct thematic analysis of transcribed and interview data under the supervision of the Research Manager.
  • Use analysis software to categorize data and identify patterns related to socio-economic factors, political instability, and supervision effectiveness.
  • Conduct quantitative data analysis, including data cleaning, statistical testing, and interpretation of results, under the guidance of the Research Manager.
  • Support quantitative analysis by working closely with the MEAL Officer to ensure data consistency and reliability.
• Documentation and Reporting:
  • Contribute to the development of research manuscripts and recommendation papers.
  • Support the preparation and organization of webinars, collaborating with the MEAL Officer for dissemination events.
  • Assist the MEAL team with data management, analysis, and reporting tasks as required to support organizational learning and accountability.
• Collaboration:
  • Maintain effective communication with the research and MEAL teams, actively participating in regular project meetings.
  • Ensure adherence to ethical guidelines and confidentiality standards in all research activities.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public health or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of research experience, with a focus on quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Familiarity with mental health research is highly desirable.
• Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis software (e.g., R, NVivo).
• Attention to detail, especially in data transcription, with a strong understanding of confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to support webinar and report preparation.
• Prior experience with published work is preferred.

Behavioural Skills

• Demonstrates critical reasoning and ability to problem-solve independently and efficiently.
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills and the ability to work under pressure with timelines and deadlines.
• Demonstrates the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills.