Senior Quantitative Specialist

Department: Monitoring & Evaluation

Salary: £50,000 – £60,000 Full-Time, Permanent

Location: Remote

Closing: 11:59pm, 22nd Jan 2023 GMT

Job Description

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Senior Quantitative Specialist to join our highly dynamic and fast-growing team. The ideal candidate will be proactive and committed to producing sound, objective monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) reports.

In the role, you will apply quantitative methods to some of the most current and complex humanitarian and development issues. You will be involved in leading evaluations across a range of thematic issues, in fragile and conflict affected settings (FCAS). You will be based in the UK, working remotely. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Specifically, you will be working on several short to mid-term projects focusing on the triple nexus between humanitarian aid, development and peacebuilding. You will be responsible for evaluation design, including the construction of indicators, quantitative data collection methods, and analysis plans. You will support the sampling strategy and the design of instruments for collecting primary data and perform quantitative analysis for evaluation reports. These analyses include generating descriptive statistics, graphs and tables. You will produce statistical analyses and econometric models necessary for the triangulation of information in making findings, conclusions, and recommendations for the evaluation. In addition, you will be expected to support the collection of qualitative data.

Projects range from conflict analysis and prevention, peacebuilding, resilience-building, gender mainstreaming, economic empowerment, climate change and resilience, anticipatory action and livelihoods. Our clients range from intergovernmental organisations including the UN, (i)NGOs and non-profit organisations.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Manage several concurrently-running research and M&E projects, including the design, inception and analysis phases
  • Balance competing deadlines and internal resource requirements
  • Coordinate implementation
  • Manage network of core-staff, consultants and subcontractors
• Maintain responsibility for delivery in line with budgest, timelines, and quality standards
• Manage the day-to-day client relationship
• Design sampling frames and draw samples for quantitative surveys
• Provide quality assurance for quantitative data collection, including reviewing data cleaning and syntax and conducting spot checks for quantitative data
• Conduct quantitative analyses for reports with corresponding quantitative evidence annexes, including descriptive statistics with connected graphs and tables for the data triangulation process and related quantitative analysis
• Provide input on training materials for enumerators and observe training sessions
• Draft evaluation reports
• Supervise and oversee quantitative researchers
• Participate in evaluation workshops
• Present findings to clients and other key stakeholders
• Identify appropriate research designs to understand questions of interest and developing tools and approaches
• Engage with, and adapt, new research practices and approaches, and participatory research tools and methods applied in development research
• Build positive working relationships with external stakeholders, including potential partner organisations, senior members of academic institutions, and local CSOs, where necessary.
• Support the team to deliver research programmes to a high quality and standard, leading projects yourself
• Perform any other reasonable duties as directed by management.

Person Specification

1. Qualification and experience

• Masters degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, or a related discipline
• Thematic interest and experience in conflict, climate change, food security, governance, economic development, and/or youth and gender
• At least 7 years experience conducting mixed-methods evaluations or other MERL activities
• Demonstrated fieldwork experience, preferably in FCAS environments
• Demonstrated experience in conducting quantitative data collection, especially regarding programming in insecure/fragile environments
• Professional knowledge of data processing software and analysis packages, such as R, SPSS, STATA, Nvivo
• Familiarity with donor evaluation policies (e.g., USAID ADS 201, or UN Evaluation Norms and Standards)
• Fluency in English, other languages highly desirable
• Ability to cope well under pressure, and to occasionally work irregular hours to meet tight deadlines

2. Core competencies

• Research skills: Ability to think critically and analytically to distil information for relevance and context, strong report drafting skills and ability to write in a lucid accessible style
• Attention to detail: A commitment to high quality deliverables and reports, meticulous in approach to research and report writing
• Initiative and flexibility: Competency in independent working, show initiative towards completing goals and objectives, but also have the flexibility to adapt and answer to different demands necessary to fulfil assigned tasks
• Teamwork: Openness to ideas and input from others on team, ability to work collaboratively, have strong listening and interpersonal skills
• Organisation: A systematic approach to work, with the ability to multitask and manage time efficiently, meeting deadlines under pressure
• Integrity: Must have a strong sense of research and professional ethics, be conscientious in approach to work and be committed to Bodhi’s research standards
• Communication: Ability to communicate (verbal and written) confidently in English and adapt to different audiences and cultural contexts

Benefits

• Fully Remote Role
• Access to WeWork Space
• 28 days Holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Learn a Language
• Conduct substantial fieldwork (Global Travel)