Research Assistant

1. Background

The research project is investigating the relationship between democratic governance, socio-economic impacts and conservation outcomes in Community-based Natural Resources Management (CB-NRM). The project will assess whether the deliberative (i.e., discussion-based) participation of local stakeholder groups in the decision-making process is correlated with the improved quality, equity and legitimacy of decisions for the local management of natural resources. This relationship will be assessed through a field experiment design consisting of a series of focus group discussions and survey questionnaires.  

2. Main duties and responsibilities

Under overall supervision of the PC, the RA will collaborate at the execution of fieldwork activities of the research project "Democratic representation and deliberative participation in CB-NRM - Do they lead to improved conservation and development outcomes? Field experiments from Tanzania".

The RA will collaborate with the PC and the rest of the team to undertake the following tasks:

-       Establish and maintain good working relationships with village authorities and participants in the experiment, counterpart agencies, and other relevant government and non-government organisations

-       Help with the organization and coordination of different phases of the experiment, including: preliminary meetings with village authorities and key informants, stakeholder analysis, selection of participants and their guidance through the phases of the experiment

-       Act as facilitator during focus group discussions

-       Administer survey questionnaires to participants

-       Capture and store video-recorded data

-       Enter survey data in the project's database

-       Transcribe, translate (from Swahili into English) and code video-recorded data

The RAs will also collaborate with the PC and the project's Logistics Officer at the following logistic tasks throughout the length of the project: 

-       Maintenance of IT and stationary equipment

-       Updating of field health and safety measures

-       Food and medicinal resupplies

-       Supervision of local cooks

-       Any other function related to the project that may arise

3. Training

During the first month of work, the RA will be trained by the PC in the following: CB-NRM theories, deliberative democratic theory, administration of survey-questionnaire, entry of survey data, facilitation of focus group discussions, transcription and coding of video-recorded data, and storage of digital data.

4. Qualifications

The applicant will be expected to be endowed with the following qualifications and skills:

1. Education: BSc degree in one of the following: Swahili-English linguistics and translation; political sciences; public administration; environmental policy; community development; natural resources management; development studies; environmental economics. The candidate should have either completed his/her degree, or should be about to complete it.
2. Language: Swahili mother-tongue and excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
3. IT: Computer literate, with knowledge of MS Windows, Word and Excel; able to type at moderate/fast speed. 
4. Working experience: Some professional experience in transcription and Swahili-English translation is preferred.
5. Transferable skills: Strong work ethics, excellent team-working and organisational skills, aptitude to interact with local communities, dependability and personal effectiveness, flexibility, and a strong desire to learn.  
6. Other: Willing and able to travel extensively with extended stays in remote rural locations. Willing to live in basic accommodation and to eat basic food. Interested in the topics and goals of the research project.

5. Location

The project will be carried out in the Kilwa and Rufiji districts, Coast Region, Tanzania. The project will have its base in Kilwa Masoko, where training and data processing will be carried out. Data collection will be carried out in nearby villages.

6. Period of employment

The post will be carried out for a period of 4 months in August-December 2012 (extendable).

7. Salary

During the first month of training the RA will be employed on a semi-voluntary basis. Upon successful completion of the training, the RA will be offered an increase in monthly salary. The salary will be structured as follows:

-        All subsistence costs (food, accommodation, and transport to and from the duty station) will be covered during the whole period of recruitment, unless the RA is resident in the town where the project will have its basis.

-        A monthly salary of Tsh 200,000 will be offered during the first month of recruitment.

-        The monthly salary will be increased upon successful completion of the training, for the remaining period of employment.

Accommodation provided by the project will be in simple guest houses. If the latter are not available in the villages where research will be undertaken, the RA will camp in tents with the rest of the research team. The diet will be balanced but simple.

8. National insurance

In case of sickness or injury, the volunteer will receive a contribution towards his/her medical expenses of up to 60% of his/her average daily earnings under this contract, for up to two weeks from the date of the accident/disease. 

9. Mode of application

Applicants are invited to submit their application by the 1^st August 2012.

The application should include:

-A one page cover letter indicating why the applicant is interested in the advertised position, and why he/she is likely to make a valuable contribution to the project

-A complete Curriculum Vitae

-An academic transcript

-Contact details: postal address, e-mail address and phone number

-The contact details of two referees, possibly one from an academic tutor and one from a current/previous employer

The application should be forwarded to giulia_wegner@yahoo.com 

The e-mail title should quote: Application for RA position, CB-NRM research project.

For further information please contact Giulia Wegner at: giulia_wegner@yahoo.com; Tel: +255 (0)719393563; +39 340 1598694