Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Program Description:

The USAID-funded Ethiopia Civic Engagement Activity is a four-year activity with the overall goal to strengthen Ethiopia’s civic fabric in support of more inclusive, peaceful, and responsive governance. The project aims to strengthen civic and community-based actors’ capacity to engage in policy analysis, advocacy, dialogue, and collective action for peaceful, democratic change; and foster multi-stakeholder civic partnerships in support of inclusive dialogue, respect for human rights, and advancing more effective, citizen-responsive, and accountable governance.

Position Summary:

The Research and Learning Manager will be responsible for leading ECE’s different applied quantitative and qualitative studies which aim to generate evidence for programming and measure performance of the intervention across time and place. The position will also be responsible for managing the overall progress of study plans and timelines of citizen surveys, CSO surveys, applied political economy analysis, social network analysis and other complexity aware evaluations like outcome harvesting and most significant stories, among others. She/he is also expected to directly engage in conducting data collection, analysis, prepare reports and deliver learning activities with high quality.

The incumbent is expected to have a well demonstrated experience and skills in multi-method research design modalities, data collection, data cleaning, analysis, reporting, and dissemination. S/he needs to have extensive experience in documenting learning and organizing and delivering learning events as well. The research and learning manager will also consult and support the MEL and the program technical team in conceiving, collecting, analyzing, and utilizing the findings of these studies to improve program quality and learning.

Reporting: This position reports to the CLA/MEL Director.

Responsibilities:

The Research and learning manager shall be responsible to operationalize ECE’s surveys and assessments according to ECE’s MEL plan and established research objectives. Key roles include, but not limited to,

a. Surveys, assessments, and Qualitative Studies

• Lead the design and execution of surveys, assessments and other complexity aware qualitative studies like outcome harvesting, most significant change stories in close collaboration with CLA/ MEL team, technical program team, consultants, and regional teams.
• Perform literature reviews to ensure the use of evidence-based practices and appropriate study methodology.
• Plans and directs the day-to-day operational activities of planned assessments according to established research objectives in alignment with ECE MEL plan.
• Prepare research inception reports, instruments and protocols and pilot them prior to field data collection.
• Recruit and manage research assistants including field supervisors and enumerators, and train them on research methods and tools.
• Facilitate data collection through surveys, interviews and focus groups via telephone, web, and in-person and statistical techniques.
• Oversee data collection for the planned assessments, including collecting qualitative data as needed and overseeing research assistants and/or enumerators in the data collection process.
• Plan and execute data quality assurance methods and procedures to improve quality of the research.
• Analyze the data collected for reports, information sheets, data visualization, etc.
• Write the reports, information sheets, etc. connected to the surveys, assessments, and evaluations.
• Manage the development, coordination, and facilitation of training and workshops on research approaches and methods for internal program staff and partners.
• Maintain research professionalism and ethics including management and implementation of IRB processes and exercises good judgement when handling sensitive data.
• Advice the program team in utilizing findings from the assessments and assist program adaptation based on research recommendations.

b. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

• Lead design and implementation of activities to respond to the ECE program learning agenda and ensure all research engagements are tailored towards generating learning.
• Develop and oversee implementation of standard operating procedures for learning activities.
• Support program and MEL Team in collaboration, learning adaptation efforts including baseline, midline and endline evaluation, GESI assessment, other action research, and subsequent adaptation sessions.
• Closely work with the communication manager in producing and disseminating research briefs, infographics and other communication materials that communicate program achievements and successes.
• Represent ECE’s research and learning activities in public and professional circles through meetings, conferences, and presentations.
• Work closely with the M&E Director to engage partners, government officials and policymakers to develop and carry out learning activities and disseminate findings.
• Closely work with MEL staff on data management including data quality assessment and feeding performance data into Creative’s MEDAL platform
• Conduct other assignments as delegated by the MEL/ CLA Director

Job Requirements

a. Education and Work Experience

• Advanced degree in social sciences, governance, development studies, educational measurement, data sciences and related social science fields
• At least 6 years of professional experience with at least 4 years demonstrated experience in leading/ facilitating quantitative and qualitative research, including directly analyzing the results and preparing the report, preferably in civic engagement, governance, and democracy areas.
• At least 3 years demonstrated experience supervising research team(s) and managing activities in multi-cultural regions of Ethiopia preferably in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and Dessie, and the surrounding areas.
• Proven experience working with government authorities, civil society organizations, and communities in Ethiopia and/or experience working with counterparts at the national and local government levels.
• Experience conducting research/assessments for USAID-funded programs will be preferable.
• Proven experience conducting social research, using qualitative analysis tools and methods, social network analysis, open ended conversational interviews, transcription coding and analysis.
• Experience working with international donors, senior government officials and policymakers.
• Experience in publication in peer-reviewed journals preferred.
• Experience presenting research findings at national and international conferences preferred.

b. Skill and Competency

• Demonstrate experience with social science data collection, including via CAPI or other real time data collection platforms/ software.
• Well, demonstrated analytical and statistical ability including SPSS, Stata, Dedoose, KUMU/ UCINET or any other equivalent analytical software.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft products, particularly Excel, power point; Power Bi
• Commitment to gender, equity, and social inclusion principles and to ECE’s strategies on same
• Proven expertise in research and maintaining research ethics, managing IRB processes.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively and accurately, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrate attention-to-detail, time management, and organizational skills across multiple, concurrent research undertakings.
• Demonstrated skills in data quality assurance, data analysis, report writing, and dissemination of findings.
• Fluency in English and Amharic including demonstrated technical writing skills for publication is required. Sample publications will be requested if shortlisted.
• Proficiency in Ethiopian languages other than Amharic, especially in Afaan
• Oromo and Af Somali is a plus.
• Ability to travel nationally up to 25% of the time.