Senior Research Officer
Senior Research Officer
Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic and fast-growing professional service firm that specializes in international development in the areas of education, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in 30 plus countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Project Summary:
The Technical Assistance Program (TAP), funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is a five-year education and youth program that seeks to transform the organizational culture and improve the abilities within the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth to ensure officials can implement desired reforms. Creative and its partners will provide technical assistance in the development, roll-out, and tracking of policies and procedures to incorporate international best practices for public education and youth programming. Among the many activities in the Jordan Technical Assistance Program, it will support curriculum development, promote inclusive learning techniques, improve the skills of teachers and school managers, and other tangible activities that ultimately support changing the organizational culture within the two ministries and relevant agencies. The program will further support Jordan’s outreach and behavioral change communications initiatives that are aimed at creating a culture of reading, the inclusion of vulnerable children, and increased youth engagement.
Position Summary:
The Senior Research Officer will support the MEL Director in managing TAP`s research agenda by developing research concept notes, supervising research activities, designing learning products, and disseminating results. In addition to supporting the MEL team in the implementation of TAP’s monitoring, evaluation and learning plan.
Reporting & Supervision:
The Senior Research Officer will report to the MEL Director.
Responsibilities:
- Support MEL Director in implementing and revising TAP`s evaluation and research plan.
- Work closely with ministries, local experts, international experts, and TAP`s technical team to design and implement the research studies.
- Provide technical assistance and embed support to increase knowledge of research protocols and practice across in both ministries.
- Track the research agenda and ensure the research timeline is on track.
- Follow a co-creation process with both ministries to guide the design of research questions, tools, and inception reports.
- Design research concept notes, main research questions, methodology, and tools.
- Conduct thorough desk and literature reviews and produce high-quality summaries.
- Collect data as needed through interviews, field visits, focus group discussions, and observations.
- Supervise the data collection process and enumerators’ training with the third-party monitoring firm.
- Perform quality checks of quantitative and qualitative data collection through spot checks and back checks.
- Support the technical team in designing a co-creation workshop to finalize recommendations for the studies.
- Provide regular updates on the implementation of the research to TAP`s team and both ministries.
- Design dissemination plan of study reports and recommendations.
- Support the MEL director in drafting weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
- Assist the MEL team in implementing routine monitoring and evaluation data collection and reporting activities.
- Contribute to developing, implementing, and evaluating research courses for ministries’ capacity development if needed.
- Support the technical team in policy deliberations and designing work plans for recommendations.
- Adhere to child protection and gender-sensitivity policies and practices.
- Abide by all Creative and USAID regulations related to research and M&E.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Development Studies, Educational Research, Social Sciences, Evaluation Science, Business or Public Administration, Social Behavior Change, or related field. A Master's degree or higher in education, counseling, social studies, psychology, or a related field is preferred.
- Must have 5+ years of general work experience and 3+ years of demonstrated experience in research.
- Excellent research, report-writing, and analytical skills are a must.
- Working experience with international agencies, NGOs, and/or government experience is highly desirable.
- Knowledge and experience in social research methods and statistical techniques.
- Knowledge of Jordan's development context, challenges, and opportunities.
- Demonstrated ability to work with diverse government and donor community stakeholders.
- Proficiency with relevant computer software programs, especially MS Office.
- Proficiency in both Arabic and English languages is mandatory.
Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.
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