Senior Research Specialist

Job Summary:

Senior Research Specialist: AHG seeks an experienced Senior Research Specialist to lead the research activities for the five-year USAID funded Afghan Children Read Program (ACR). The Sr. Research Specialist will represent ACR with the Ministry of Education to design, analyse, and help the Ministry of Education use data for decision making, especially on research grants. The Sr. Research Specialist will regularly consult with ACR leadership and the MoE research team on emerging innovations in educational research. This person must be able to work independently and collaboratively with other MoE and ACR staff.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Work with the ACR management and program staff to evaluate and design assessments, evaluations, and feedback loop mechanisms for data into the various program components

Work with the Ministry of Education counterparts to develop and implement a capacity development program for targeted MoE officials

Create methodology and instruments for data collection events

Provide quality control for data collection and analysis

Analyze quantitative and qualitative data

Prepare and provide research reports and evaluations, and effectively communicate the results, both orally and in writing

Use data to inform and support data-based decisions within the ACR program and within the Ministry of Education system (from the MoE central to the District levels)

Support ongoing program improvement and planning in collaboration with ACR Team members

Carry out other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Job Requirement:

Desired Skills and Experience

Graduate degree in the social sciences: Education, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Geography, Anthropology, Development Studies, or closely related field; and


Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the field of research design with a Bachelor’s Degree. Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the field of research design with a Master’s Degree.

Proven knowledge of research concepts

Proficiency in SPSS, STATA, R or other data analysis tools

Proven experience of report writing

Experience in the field of organizational capacity building

Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work both as an independent self-starter and as a member of a dynamic and fast-moving team

Fluency in Dari/Pashto and English

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Preferred Qualifications:

Data Skills:
o Knowledge of the educational system in Afghanistan and current international best practices in educational assessment, and program evaluation;
o Experience with the use of educational assessment data to inform decision-making;
o Knowledge of MoE’s EMIS system;

Research Skills:
o Critical Thinking: Ability to evaluate and weigh different sides of an argument, apply reason and logic to determine the merits of arguments, and draw conclusions from logical arguments and data analysis.
o Problem Solving: Ability to identify, define and analyze problems, to create solutions and evaluate them, and to choose the best solution for a particular context.
o Analysis: ability to gather relevant data and information and apply methods of synthesis, critical thinking and data analysis to understand patterns or connections in that information.
o Dissemination: Ability to communicate to others the purpose and outcomes of research. It requires the ability to summarize information, explain the aims, motives, results and conclusions of the research, and tailor the communication to the needs and knowledge level of a particular audience.
Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in educational research or related field (Masters preferred).

Minimum of 5 years of professional experiences

Job Location: