Senior Associate, Research and Data – ESAR

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    "description": "<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">⚠️</span><span style=\"font-weight: bold\"> Recruitment Fraud Alert:</span></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">TaRL Africa does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Be aware of fraudulent messages offering job opportunities in exchange for money or “codes.” All official communication will come from @tarlafrica.org email addresses. If in doubt, contact us at </span><a href=\"mailto:[email protected]\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">[email protected]</a><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">.</span></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><br></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><br></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Position:</span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Senior Associate, Research and Data - ESAR</span></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><br></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Reports to:</span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Senior Education Research Advisor</span></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Dotted Line Manager:</span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Director of Research, Learning &amp; Evaluation</span></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><br></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Languages:</span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Fluency in English required; knowledge of local languages in Zambia, Malawi, and/or Kenya is an advantage</span></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><br></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Location: </span><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Zambia, Kenya, South Africa or any other Sub-Saharan African country </span></span></p>\n<p><br></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">Deadline: On a rolling basis </span></p>\n<p><br></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">About TaRL Africa </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt\">TaRL Africa <span style=\"color: rgb(34, 34, 34)\">initiative is hosted by Empower Learning Africa, a not-for-profit organisation registered and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with teams in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Malawi, Ethiopia and Zambia. TaRL Africa began as a joint venture by Pratham and J-PAL in 2019, with the goal of supporting governments and organisations across Africa to accelerate children’s foundational skill acquisition using the evidence-based “Teaching at the Right Level” (TaRL) approach. TaRL Africa's vision is for every child across Africa to have foundational skills so that they can have a better future. Our mission is to ensure public education systems effectively equip children with these foundational skills. </span></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt\"><br></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt\">We support governments and organisations in over 19 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to design, deliver and scale impactful TaRL programmes while learning and sharing how the approach can be improved for different contexts. Together with partners, TaRL Africa has reached over 7 million children with TaRL programming. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">Research, Learning &amp; Evaluation at TaRL Africa</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Continually learning and adapting to amplify the impact of our work is a core value of TaRL Africa. As the approach has moved to scale in Africa, iterative adaptation to the local contexts and testing marginal innovations for efficiency and cost-effectiveness is critical to TaRL’s long-term success.</span></p>\n<p><br></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">The Research, Learning &amp; Evaluation (RLE) team: </span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Leads high-quality research and evaluations both internally and with external partners</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Supports TaRL Africa’s Program Design and Pedagogy team to effectively test new innovations through learning labs and other R&amp;D efforts;</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Drives learning and impact through provision of cutting-edge measurement, analytics, and support for TaRL Africa data systems and knowledge management; </span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Generates and facilitates quality evidence uptake and learning within TaRL Africa as well as externally in the global education ecosystem to positively impact foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. </span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">Role Overview</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">The Senior Associate, RLE  focuses on Eastern and Southern Africa, contributing to study design, data monitoring, and evidence generation to guide program improvements and policy. The ideal candidate brings strong quantitative research skills, experience in large-scale field studies, and a passion for education in African contexts.</span><br><br></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Because of the nature of these specific research activities, we are seeking an individual with prior research associate experience for at least one large-scale research project such a randomized controlled evaluation or implementation research project.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">Key Responsibilities</span></p>\n<p><br><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">1</span>. <span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Rigorous Research Design and Implementation (50%)</span></span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Contribute to the design and implementation of research studies, including:</span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Early grades pilot learning and support for a full-scale TaRL randomized evaluation conducted by partners in Malawi.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Coordinating / leading  new research and learning activities in Zambia for the Copperbelt region to build evidence on key long-term vision changes the government has proposed for the Catch Up program moving forward.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Monitoring research and learning activities for innovation Learning Labs as well as contributing to development and execution of new learning initiatives in Kenya. </span></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Lead the process of applying for local and international institutional review boards.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Set up a field plan and data flow plan.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Develop and pilot research instruments, including assessments and surveys.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Program digital version of questionnaires using software such as SurveyCTO or KoboCollect.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Oversee data collection activities, ensuring adherence to research protocols and data quality standards, including:</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Writing clear, concise Stata .do files or R scripts for high frequency checks, data cleaning and analysis.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Performing high-frequency checks and data cleaning processes to ensure data quality.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Monitoring research study implementation and providing periodic reports to the Principal Investigator and researchers.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Identifying possible threats to the validity of the study and communicating that to the larger research team.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Systematically recording project decisions and study deviations through the study lifecycle.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Support analysis report writing, presentation of results.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Document research results and prepare handover documents that can be used by TaRL Africa staff and/or new researchers in the future.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Manage relationships with local partner organizations and survey firms involved in research projects.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">2</span>. <span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Data Management, Analysis, and Knowledge Management (25%)</span></span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Clean, manage, and analyze quantitative data using Stata or R, and qualitative data using Nvivo or other.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness best practices are undertaken by maintaining quality MOUs, protocols and checklists for assigned research projects.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Ensure ethical and security best practices are adhered to for data access, storage, and management for all research and learning projects assigned.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Contribute to and improve strong knowledge management practices for research data including storage, codebook maintenance, and consistent use of knowledge and project management tools like Dropbox and Asana.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Contribute to the interpretation of research findings and the preparation of academic and policy-oriented publications.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><br><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">3</span>. <span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Evidence-Based Learning and Dissemination (10%)</span></span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Work closely with the program and innovation teams to ensure that research findings are used to inform program design and implementation, including new pedagogy design.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Prepare high-quality reports, presentations, and other materials to disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences, including government partners, donors, and the academic community.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Contribute to building a culture of evidence-based decision-making within TaRL Africa and among our partners.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><br><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">4</span>. <span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Team Collaboration and Technical Support (10%)</span></span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Collaborate with other members of the TaRL Africa research team and program staff in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia and across the continent.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Join and contribute to learning team meetings and brainstorming on other TaRL Africa research projects.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Provide technical support and mentorship to enumerators.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Contribute to the development of research proposals and grant applications.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><br><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\">5</span>. <span style=\"font-weight: bold\">Other special projects and activities as needed (5%)</span></span></p>\n<p><br><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">Required Minimum Qualifications</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">Education: </span></p>\n<p><br></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">A Master’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Education, or a related field with a strong quantitative focus. Experience in education research and qualitative, behavioral design, and/or R&amp;D human-centered design is strongly preferred. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">Experience:</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Experience working in Eastern or Southern Africa context.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">A minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in a research-focused role, preferably in the education research sector.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Experience coordinating an independent research project from start to end.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing quantitative research, including a randomized evaluation or mixed methods study. </span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Experience with survey design, data collection, and data management. </span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Experience with data cleaning and data analysis.</span><br><br></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">Skills: </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Proficiency in Stata or R for data analysis is required; familiarity with a qualitative tool such as Nvivo is advantageous.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Technical knowledge of quasi-experimental, qualitative and mixed methods.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Experience in digital survey programming with SurveryCTO, KoboCollect, or similar tool preferred.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Strong writing and data visualization skills, with the ability to communicate complex research findings to non-technical audiences.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Proven ability to handle multiple diverse assignments at one time, successfully completing assigned tasks and meeting deadlines while conducting high-quality work.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Excellent project management skills to navigate multiple projects simultaneously with self-accountability. </span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of local languages in either Zambia, Malawi, and/or Kenya is a strong advantage.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">Attributes:</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">A passion for improving education and a commitment to evidence-based practice.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">A proactive and results-oriented approach to work.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Willingness to travel frequently to program sites in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia, (estimated up to 30%). </span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">Location</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">Ideal preference is Zambia, Kenya, or South Africa. Travel will be required across sub-Saharan Africa.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\"> TaRL Africa Values</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">We place children's learning first.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">We are always learning, improving, and innovating.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">We are locally rooted for high-quality delivery and sustainable impact.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">We are kind, respectful and collaborative.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">We are proactive, committed to integrity and doing our best each day.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\">TaRL Africa provides a nationally peer-benchmarked compensation package aligned with organizational salary scales, taking into account both qualifications and professional experience.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-weight: bold\">TaRL Africa is an equal-opportunity employer committed to having a diverse workforce.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino\"> </span></p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p>",
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