RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Job Summary

CARE International in Nigeria is seeking a Research Assistant will provide advanced technical support throughout the evaluation cycle, including tool review, training, qualitative research, field quality assurance, data cleaning, statistical analysis, thematic analysis, triangulation, visualisation, documentation, and report preparation. Each research assistant will be assigned to support the activities in two (2) LGAs

Job Details

SCOPE:

Employment Type: Short-Term Service Provider Contract

Job Status: Nationals only (Katsina Based).

Slots: 4

Locations: Katsina, Charanchi, Mani, Funtua, Batagarawa, Daura, Sandamu, Ingawa LGAs of Katsina State.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

Job Responsibility #1: Inception Support

• Review foundational project documentation (proposal, LogFrame, MEAL Plan, baseline report, routine monitoring data, DLP/VSLA/facility records) to ground the evaluation context.
• Support the development and review of key technical guidelines, including the indicator-reference matrix, analysis/data-management plans, sampling checks, field manuals, and quality-control templates.
• Pre-test and refine survey questionnaires (household, FCHW), KII guides, and FGD guides to ensure alignment with evaluation questions and translation guidelines.

Job Responsibility #2: Training & Pre-Testing

• Deliver technical training to assigned Enumerators covering methodology, tools, KoboToolbox, ethics, safeguarding, and data-quality standards.
• Lead role-plays, mock interviews, and field pre-tests to evaluate Enumerator competence, analyze pilot data, and recommend final tool revisions.

Job Responsibility #3: Field Supervision & Quality Assurance.

• Supervise a team of approximately 10 Enumerators across assigned LGAs, managing daily workflows without compromising data quality.
• Conduct daily data quality reviews, spot checks, and back-checks on at least 10% of completed interviews, producing daily performance reports by Enumerator and LGA.
• Facilitate daily field debriefings to resolve emerging queries, providing real-time guidance and feedback.
• Personally lead or closely supervise high-level, technically demanding Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).
• Escalate any methodological, ethical, security, or safeguarding concerns immediately through approved CARE pathways.

Job Responsibility #4: Data Management & Cleaning

• Manage datasets safely by preserving raw data and maintaining codebooks, data dictionaries, working files, and auditable cleaning logs.
• Standardize variables, perform range/logic checks, resolve duplicates or outliers, and correct data inconsistencies.
• Fully de-identify all records in compliance with CARE’s data protection and confidentiality protocols.

Job Responsibility #5: Data Analysis

• Quantitative: Execute the approved analysis plan to compute project indicators against baseline figures and targets, disaggregating by sex, age, disability, LGA, respondent type, and VSLA participation.
• Apply statistical tests (e.g., chi-square, t-tests, ANOVA) and generate reproducible syntax/scripts, tables, charts, dashboards, and non-technical summary findings.
• Qualitative: Organize, anonymize, and code KII/FGD transcripts using a structured thematic framework to identify key patterns, cross-LGA differences, and illustrative quotes.

Job Responsibility #6: Triangulation, Reporting & Dissemination

• Triangulate data across quantitative surveys, qualitative notes, and project records to extract clear, evidence-based insights.
• Draft assigned sections of the Midline Evaluation Report, presenting findings, limitations, actionable recommendations, and data visualizations.
• Support the organization and delivery of stakeholder validation workshops and presentation materials.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE/TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Required

• Applicant must possess an OND, BSC in statistics, Mathematics, epidemiology, public health, demography, economics, sociology, psychology, development studies, monitoring and evaluation, data science, or a related field
• At least 2 years of progressive experience in mixed-methods research, public-health evaluation, programme evaluation, or applied social research (baseline, midline, or endline assessments)
• Practical competence in at least one statistical package (Stata, R, SPSS, or Python) plus advanced Microsoft Excel
• Experience facilitating Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions, preparing transcripts, developing codebooks, coding data, and producing thematic summaries
• Experience reviewing or programming KoboToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO, or similar electronic data-collection platforms, including monitoring live submissions
• Ability to import, clean, label, recode, merge, validate, and document datasets, and to calculate indicators correctly against baseline values and targets
• Strong analytical writing, interpretation, and stakeholder communication skills, including experience preparing evaluation or donor-facing reports, dashboards, and briefs
• Understanding of research ethics, informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, PSEA, and Gender, Equity and Inclusion (GEI)-sensitive research practices
• Strong English required; ability to work and travel within Katsina State
• Fluency in Hausa and English required (spoken and written)
• Demonstrated commitment to community health, gender equality, and locally led development, in line with CARE's mission and values

Desired

• Experience with inferential analysis, reproducible syntax, dashboards, and baseline-to-midline/endline comparisons
• Ability to test Kobo/ODK constraints, calculated fields, GPS capture, offline functions, skip logic, and duplicate controls
• Experience in RMNCAH+N, frontline/community health workers, GBV response, VSLA or economic empowerment programming, or digital learning platforms
• Experience with survivor-centred or disability-inclusive research approaches
• Prior field experience in Katsina State or similar Northwest Nigeria contexts

Competencies:

• Integrity and Trust
• Organizational skills for Information gathering and processing– Able to locate and collect data from a variety of sources and analyze and ability to synthesize complex information in concise reports for program design, program quality, and learning. 
• Analytical thinking – Able to integrate information from diverse sources, often involving large amounts of data; this includes synthesizing information and summarizing it into key points for use by others
• Teamwork – Able to work effectively with other people within a work group and across units and line management boundaries. 
• Writing – Able to communicate ideas and information in writing to ensure that information and messages are understood and have the desired impact
• Interpersonal sensitivity and communication – Able to communicate with sensitivity and foster communication, actively listening to others which are a must in this role.
• Approachable
• Drive for Results

NOTE:

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• CARE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CARE considers all applicants on the basis of merit without prejudice to race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, colour, national origin, marital status, or veteran status.
• There are individuals who may use CARE’s name and trademark in emails and on websites in an attempt to solicit fees from interested job seekers. Please note that CARE will not request for any monetary payments from applicants at any stage of the recruitment process.
• CARE Nigeria is committed to preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH), child abuse, and human trafficking. We hold zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, or discrimination. The selected candidate will be required to adhere to CARE’s Safeguarding Policies, Code of Conduct, and undergo strict background checks, including reference and screening checks.

Qualified Women and Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

About Company

CARE

https://www.carenigeria.org/

CARE is a global humanitarian and development leader within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty. We are known everywhere for our unshakable commitment to the dignity of people. CARE vision is to seek a world of hope, tolerance and social justice, where poverty has been overcome and all people live with dignity and security. Our Mission is to work around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. We put women and girls in the center of our work because we know that we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. We are strongly inspired and guided by our Core Values of Transformation, Integrity, Excellence, Diversity and Equality. CARE Nigeria was established in Nigeria in April 2017 and has been predominantly operating in the conflict affected Northeast, and in the Northwest. CARE aims to support vulnerable people who are affected by conflict, natural disasters and poverty across four key programming areas: Food and Nutrition Security and Livelihoods, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, a Life Free from Violence (Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response) and Women’s Economic Empowerment through its Flagship ‘Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) approach. Our Commitment to Nigeria people goes beyond our current humanitarian work to exploring and initiating longer-term development programs that address underlying causes of poverty and vulnerability in Nigeria. In collaboration with other stakeholders, we will initiate and support equitable and sustainable development interventions by enabling the underprivileged to realize their potential, exercise their right and strengthen linkages with broader society.