Research Assistant/Translator

Summary:

This is a short-term Research Assistant (RA) position in Longido, Tanzania. The RA's primary duty will be English translation during interviews with Kiswahili and Maasai speakers. The RA must be a Kiswahili and Maasai mother tongue speaker, and be proficient in English language speaking and writing. The RA is responsible to the Principle Investigator (PI), Melissa Stevens, who is a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Maryland, USA. Ms. Stevens is conducting her doctoral dissertation research on local perspectives on the Longido Cultural Tourism Enterprise, which is part of the Tanzania Cultural Tourism Programme.

Responsibilities:

1. Provide Kiswahili-English, and Maasai-English translation during interviews with Longido residents

2. Explain interview procedures to research participants and provide guidance to them throughout the interviews

3. Assist in locating interview participants and in obtaining consent

4. Assist in translating and transcribing interviews

5. Provide mother tongue speaker insight during analysis of interview data (identifying and explaining implicit cultural meanings to PI)

Required Qualifications:

1. Kiswahili and Maasai mother-tongue speaker

2. High level of English language proficiency, in both speaking and writing

3. Able to provide Kiswahili-English and Maasai-English translation

4. Be able to identify and explain subtle cultural differences in meanings between Kiswahili, Maa, and English words and phrases

5. Strong interpersonal skills; able to interact well with diverse populations

6. Able to reliably complete tasks in a timely fashion with minimal supervision

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience in conducting or assisting in social scientific research

2. Experience in providing Kiswahili-English or Maasai-English translation in a research context

3. University degree in the social sciences, tourism studies, development studies, or English language studies

4. Interest in the research subject (local participation in tourism, community-based cultural tourism, community development)

Location: Village of Longido, Arusha Region. The RA will be responsible for making his or her own accommodation arrangements in Longido, although the PI can assist in locating accommodation options.

Period of Employment:The assignment will last for 12 weeks between March and July, 2013. The assignment start and end dates are flexible, but the start date should not be later than April 1, 2013.

Salary: Salary will depend on hours worked per week, with an anticipated average of TSH 140,000 per 40 hour work week. Salary does not include expenses associated with relocating to or living in Longido.

Application Procedures:

Provide the following materials and information:

1. A letter or CV describing your qualifications and experience (clearly state your English, Kiswahili, and Maasai language skills)

2. Contact information for one reference who can attest to your English translation abilities

3. Your contact details (email, phone number, postal address)

4. Whether you are from the Longido area, or whether you have family in the Longido area

5. What dates you are (or are not) available between March 3 and July 20

Email this information to Melissa Stevens (melissa.stevens7@gmail.com) by March 5, 2013. Qualified applicants will be invited to interview for the position. Interviews can take place in either Longido or Arusha, but travelexpenses will not be covered. Any questions, please contact Melissa Stevens (melissa.stevens7@gmail.com).