Qualitative Researcher, EMSRIE, Remote
Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.
Project Summary:
The Evidence Mapping, Systematic Review, and Impact Evaluation (EMSRIE) activity supports the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS) and buy-in clients across the agency with systematic reviews, evidence gap maps, and impact evaluations (IEs). USAID engaged Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech company, to implement EMSRIE in partnership with a major subcontractor the International Initiative for Impact Evaluations (3ie). Feed the Future (FTF) – and USAID’s Bureau for Resilience, Environment and Food Security (REFS), the lead technical OU supporting many FTF activities – seeks to reduce hunger and poverty in the developing world. FTF is an inter-agency initiative that is led by USAID with multiple inter-agency partners. REFS desires to develop a methodology and set of instruments that the Bureau and Missions can use to identify their pathways of influencing and leveraging and consistently measure the extent of influence and leverage they are achieving. While REFS is ultimately interested in measuring influence and leverage quantitatively, the Bureau recognizes that given the nature of these concepts, it would be important to take a mixed methods approach to measuring these concepts. The development of a methodology and set of instruments would also include piloting the approach and cognitive testing of data collection instruments, translation/back translation. Training on cognitive testing and other piloting methods can be provided as needed by MSI to the researcher.
**Please note: Only Senegalese citizens are eligible for this position**
Position Summary:
The Qualitative Researcher will lead focus group discussions based in Senegal. The Researcher will be responsible for facilitating and reporting qualitative data in French and English. The Researcher will also be responsible for supporting and implementing adequate testing of all instruments prior to implementation of data collection to include the following: translation and cultural adaptation of instruments using the TRAPD committee or modified committee approach; cognitive testing of instruments in English (for USAID respondents) and French (for non-USAID respondents) as appropriate with 10-12 respondents similar to the eventual sample in each language; input from cognitive testing that can be used to revise instruments as necessary based on cognitive findings and lock in source instruments; and implementation of qualitative data collection including leading focus groups and key informant interviews, capturing respondent feedback, providing FGD and KII summary sheets and full transcripts, and support of other data collection as necessary.
Responsibilities:
- Pilot data collection instruments.
- Conduct face to face cognitive testing of data collection instruments.
- Moderate/facilitate focus groups and conduct key informant interviews based in Senegal.
- Submit complete transcripts from focus groups and key informant interviews.
- Submit field report covering issues encountered and observations made during the research period.
- Debrief the team on key findings and issues encountered while conducting data collection.
- Support in identifying and contacting respondents as needed.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a social science discipline or other relevant fields required.
- Minimum five years of experience conducting qualitative data collection, such as key informant interviews, facilitating/moderating focus groups etc. required.
- Experience in translating and back translating data collection instruments from in English and French preferred.
- Familiarity with conducting quantitative research in Senegal required.
- Familiarity with USAID required.
- Fluency in French (written and verbal) and English (verbal) required.
MSI is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We strive to develop and maintain a culture that honors the perspectives and identities of our employees, our communities and those impacted by our work.
We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.
MSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities/Veterans Employer.
Reasonable Accommodations:
MSI is dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Tech’s Disability Assistance Page. Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.