Call for Applications: Short-Term Research Consultant Positions

Population Services International

  • Kenya
  • Temporary
  • Full-time
  • 1 day ago
A. BackgroundPopulation Services International (PSI) is a leading non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, DC, USA. PSI uses social marketing to bring about lasting health impact to poor and vulnerable populations through its programs in over 45 countries around the world with the majority of them in sub-Saharan Africa. PSI Global Services Hub based in Nairobi invites applications from competent research consultants to be considered for upcoming exciting opportunities.The shortlisted consultants will support a wide range of research projects under the guidance of Principal Investigators and Research Advisors, contributing to programs design, adaptation, and evaluation. PSI Kenya is currently conducting research studies in Nairobi, Kilifi, and Nakuru, with plans to expand to additional counties in the future.RESEARCH CONSULTANT – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE INTERVIEWERSLOCATION: NAIROBI, KILIFI, AND NAKURUMinimum Requirements
  • A College Diploma or University Degree
  • Fluency in English, Swahili, and a local language spoken in the target counties
  • Strong interviewers’ and moderation experience (1-2 years) – in health-oriented research studies (preferred). Experience in sexual and reproductive health or immunization quantitative or/and qualitative research studies (desired)
  • Ability to communicate effectively with a range of research participants – including senior government officers and non-state partners, county health management teams, and community members.
  • Familiarity with the study settings (Nairobi, Kilifi, and Nakuru) – current resident candidates are desired.
  • Proven experience in electronic data collection platforms, particularly ODK or SurveyCTO
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines with excellent attention to detail and quality.
  • Previous experience working with NGOs or a reputable research org/institution.
  • Transcribing experience is an advantage.
*Female candidates are strongly encouraged to applyResponsibilities and DutiesAvailability to attend in-person fieldwork training for the entire designated period. Training will be held centrally in Nairobi.Support the review of study instruments, including the content, terminologies, and quality translation.Sign data confidentiality agreement and comply with stipulations.Support study advocacy at the county, sub-county, health facility, and community levels.Maintain study work plan and interview schedules.Conduct quality screening and interviews for the assigned quota whilst adhering to the approved procedures – including sampling and eligibility screening.Fully comply with the ethics standards for research with human subjects – including informed consenting/assenting, data privacy, and confidentiality, etc.Accurately probe and capture respondent responses using the approved interview guides other data capture materials.Document informed consent/assentManage study data (labelling, storage, safety, and confidentiality), informed consent forms and other study materials, and maintain equipment inventory as per the approved protocol.Debrief regularly with the assigned project management staff to share field updates.Submit progress reports, including narrative and verifiable field expenses, using prescribed templates.2. RESEARCH CONSULTANT - QUALITATIVE TRANSCRIBERSLOCATION: NAIROBIMinimum Requirements
  • A College Diploma or University Degree.
  • Fluency in English, Swahili, and a local language spoken in the target counties
  • Proficiency using Microsoft Office and SharePoint
  • Very good typing speed and accuracy.
  • Experience transcribing from audio or video recordings in English. Ability to transcribe in Swahili (or another study language) and translate the interview into English as needed.
  • Current residency in Nairobi and willingness to work from the PSI Global Services Hub office based in Nairobi – is desired.
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines with excellent attention to detail and quality – including document formatting
  • Previous experience working with NGOs or a reputable research organization/institution.
Responsibilities and DutiesAvailability to attend in-person training for the entire designated period. Training will be held centrally in Nairobi.Support the review of study instruments, including the content, terminologies, and quality translation.Sign data confidentiality agreement and comply with stipulations.Maintain work planSubmit complete, accurate, and well formatted transcripts (word-by-word) for the assigned interviews. Prescribed template will be used for this purpose (e.g., font type, font size, spacing, and time stamps)Manage study data (labelling, saving, and data safety and confidentiality) and equipment as per approved protocol.Debrief regularly with the project management staff to share field updates.Submit progress reports, including narrative and verifiable field expenses, using prescribed templates.3.RESEARCH CONSULTANT – SUPERVISORSLOCATION: NAIROBI, KILIFI, AND NAKURUMinimum Requirements
  • University Degree
  • Fluency in English, Swahili, and a local language spoken in the target counties
  • Strong quantitative or/and qualitative interviewing experience in sexual and reproductive health or immunization or health-oriented research studies (3-4 years research experience, preferred). 1-2 years’ experience as a field supervisor/data quality controller (Desired)
  • Strong leadership, communication, and advocacy, and mentorship skills
  • Ability to engage effectively with diverse research audiences, including senior government officials, non-state partners, county health management teams, and community members.
  • Proven experience in electronic data collection platforms, particularly ODK or SurveyCTO.
  • Familiarity with the study settings - Nairobi, Nakuru, and Kilifi
  • Willingness to have a flexible working schedule (i.e., travelling to the study counties as needed and to work from PSI Kenya office located in Nairobi)
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines with excellent attention to detail and quality.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
  • Experience working with an NGO or a reputable research organization/institution.
  • Transcribing experience
  • Ability to support preliminary data analysis and synthesis.
Responsibilities and DutiesAvailability to attend in-person fieldwork training for the entire designated period. Training will be held centrally in Nairobi.Support the review of study instruments, including content, terminologies and quality translation.Conduct pretest activities to support refinement of the study procedures and instrumentsSign data confidentiality agreement and comply with stipulations.Support study advocacy at the county and health facility levels.Review study work plans and interview schedules for delivery of project activities in line with the budget and timelinesSupervise survey administration to ensure data quality and compliance with ethical standards and other approved procedures.Supervise transcribing activity to ensure quality and compliance.Review interviews and transcripts to provide feedback and retrain field staff as needed.Support conducting interviews and transcribing as needed.Manage study data (labelling, storage, safety, and confidentiality), informed consent forms and other study materials, and maintain equipment inventory as per the approved protocol.Manage and review field expense reports from the assigned interviewers.Debrief regularly with the project management staff to share field updates.Submit progress reports, including narrative and verifiable field expenses, using prescribed templates.4. RESEARCH CONSULTANT – STUDY COORDINATORSLOCATION: NAIROBI, KILIFI, AND NAKURUMinimum Requirements:
  • University Degree
  • Fluency in English, Swahili, and a local study language
  • Ability to contribute intellectually to the development of study designs, research instruments, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and training materials.
  • Familiarity with the study approval processes including IRB, NACOSTI, county and other sub-national approval procedures
  • Proven experience in study planning and overseeing field implementation in line with approved study protocols, budgets, and timelines.
  • Strong quantitative or/and qualitative interviewing experience in sexual and reproductive health or immunization or health-oriented research studies (3-5 years research experience, preferred. 2-3 years’ experience as a research supervisor/data quality controller/ study coordinator (Desired)
  • Strong leadership, communication, advocacy, mentorship, and problem-solving skills to navigate complex field realities.
  • Ability to engage effectively with diverse research audiences, including senior government officials, non-state partners, county health management teams, and community members
  • Proven experience in electronic data collection platforms, particularly ODK or SurveyCTO. Ability to program and troubleshoot data collection form is desired.
  • Familiarity with the study settings - Nairobi, Nakuru, and Kilifi
  • Willingness to have a flexible working schedule (i.e., travelling to the study counties as needed and to work from PSI Kenya office located in Nairobi)
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines with excellent attention to detail and quality.
  • Experience working with an NGO or a reputable research organization/institution.
  • Ability to conduct preliminary data analysis and synthesis
Responsibilities and Duties * Availability to attend in-person fieldwork training for the entire designated period. Training will be held centrally in Nairobi.
  • Support the review of study materials including protocols, consent/assent forms, instruments, training and field SOPs/manuals.
  • Support the development of detailed research work plans and field budgets
  • Support the development of error-free electronic data collection forms using ODK/SurveyCTO platforms.
  • Support to secure study approval at national and sub-national levels – including at the county, health facility, and community levels
  • Overseeing high-quality implementation of field data collection and transcription – including training and mentorship of field teams and transcribers to ensure compliance with ethics and data quality standards
  • Sign data confidentiality agreement and comply with stipulations.
  • Manage study data (labelling, storage, safety, and confidentiality), informed consent forms and other study materials, and maintain equipment inventory as per the approved protocol.
  • Manage and review field expense reports.
  • Debrief regularly with the field teams and project management staff to share field updates and troubleshoot challenges.
  • Support data cleaning, analysis, report writing, and dissemination activities
  • Submit progress reports, including narrative and verifiable field expenses, using prescribed templates.
B. Cost and CompensationThe research consultants will be paid a daily rate that will be specified in the respective agreements. Field-related expenses will be incurred by the project.C. Availability and timelinesSelected candidates will be notified of the planned study at least one week prior to engagement.

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