USAID Jobs in Abuja for an Operations Research Assistant,December 2011

The USAID-funded Community-Based Support (CUBS) for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Nigeria project is being implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) in partnership with Africare. Provides an opportunity to engage in rigorous operations research (OR) to test and refine CUBS’ approach to reaching these two categories of beneficiaries.
More information on CUBS can be found at http://www.aidstar-one.com/task_orders/CUBS
 
The following vacant position of a research assistant exists
Job Title: CUBS OPERATIONS RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Job Description
The Research Assistant will facilitate the execution of high-quality operations research on CUBS’ gender approach by the third party research firm. The position will be based in Africare’s office in Abuja with frequent engagement with MSH staff at their Abuja office and travel as needed to the two research sites (to be determined). The position will report to Africare’s Senior Program Support Manager and work collaboratively with key staff at MSH and the sub-contractor.

Vacancy Responsibilities:
Act as primary liaison to CUBS staff for OR sub-contractor.
Monitor progress by sub-contractor against work plan and compliance with OR contract.Provide production support for materials developed for internal and external communications and learning around OR progress and findings, such as document formatting, editing and proofreading.
Assist the OR sub-contractor in accessing project documents and data as necessary. Assist in the coordination of critical OR activities, such as visits to CUBS project staff and meetings with CUBS staff. Participate in field visits as necessary.
During meetings, record and archive minutes for reporting purposes.
Serve as secretary to the OR working committee that will be formed.
Any other duties as needed to facilitate the smooth implementation of the OR.

Required Education:
Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public health, or related fields. A masters degree (MPH) will be an asset.
Professional Experience:
Minimum of 2 years’ experience in providing support and coordination to field-based projects and/or research.Experience writing program reports
Minimum of 2 years’ experience working in/with social work, community development, and/or health.

Required Skills:
Excellent communication and English-language writing skills.

Excellent organizational skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal guidance.
Team player
Demonstrated understanding of field-based quantitative and qualitative research approaches.
Demonstrated skills in the use of electronic databases.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications should include a resume and cover letter. In the cover letter (of no more than two pages in length) the candidate should briefly describe his or her motivation for the position and highlight relevant experience.

Please send application materials to [email protected] including “Operations Research Assistant” in the subject line.

Deadline Not later than 03 January 2012.