Background
The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) promotes evidence-informed equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. We support the generation and effective use of high-quality evidence to inform decision-making and improve the lives of people living in poverty in low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs). We provide guidance and support to produce impact evaluations and associated formative evaluations; systematic reviews and syntheses, evidence gap maps and support for using that evidence in decision-making and capacity development. 3ie is registered as a non-governmental organization in the United States. It has offices in New Delhi, London and Washington, DC.
3ie is partnering with the H&M Foundation on a project to assess the effectiveness of the Collective Impact (CI) Initiative targeted at waste pickers in Bengaluru, India. Piloted in the United States, the CI approach has been replicated in various contexts and involves a consortium of partners who enter into a highly-structured collaboration to implement a common agenda with the aim of solving a specific social problem—in this case the conditions of waste pickers in Bengaluru.
The proposed study is an impact evaluation that will ascertain whether the CI approach worked to improve the lives of waste pickers and their families, factors that facilitated or inhibited impact and what might be the areas to focus on when scaling up the program or replicating it in another context.
To support its work, 3ie is inviting applications from qualified professionals to join the team as a research assistant based in Bengaluru.
The evaluation office supports impact evaluations to increase the availability of high-quality evidence on the impact of development assistance. Four key areas of work include increasing evidence on what works, why and at what cost in development programs, especially those using innovative approaches; generating lessons learned through syntheses of high-quality evidence on program effectiveness in a particular development sector; building capacity of program implementers and donors to use evidence; and, ensuring that evidence is available to policymakers in policy-friendly formats.
Responsibilities and tasks
As a member of the team, the research assistant will undertake the following tasks:
- Support the principal investigators in design and implementation of evaluations
- Design qualitative research framework using key principles of process evaluation
- Assist in designing contextually appropriate tools for qualitative data collection and translating these in the local languages
- Develop guides or manuals for in-depth interviews (IDI) and key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FGDs) and other participatory exercises
- Pilot tools and instruments in the field
- Collect high-quality data in the field through primary qualitative research methodologies, including, but not limited to, FGDs, in-depth interviews, participant observation from the study population and sub population of interest as identified by 3ie, such as waste pickers, their families, and communities, collective (like SHGs, community groups) members, and project partners in structured and semi-structured format using qualitative techniques
- Transcribe KII and IDI and produce detailed notes that summarize FGDs. Check interview transcripts in English for accuracy and fill in any missing/incomplete information
- Support quantitative data collection and where data collection is by a survey firm, undertake survey firm management, implement data quality control measures, including conducting field visits to monitor the survey team
- Liaise with project partners to ensure regular communication with all stakeholders; and
- Organize capacity building, training, and dissemination workshops, as needed
The research assistant will report to an evaluation specialist, who will provide regular guidance and mentoring. Subject to the approval of supervisors, the position includes professional development opportunities, such as attending relevant courses, participating in research with leading impact evaluation experts and/or publishing 3ie’s in-house publication series or external publications.
Qualifications and skills
Education and work experience
- A Master’s degree preferably in Economics, Social Sciences or Development Studies or related fields and a minimum of two years of experience in the development sector
Skills
- Experience in conducting qualitative research and frameworks
- Understanding of theory-based evaluations and how program theory of change may be applied to design qualitative research plan
- Proficiency in use of qualitative software such as Nvivo for coding and analysis of qualitative data
- Excellent writing skills in English
- Proficiency in spoken Kannada
- Ability to work in multi-stakeholder settings and demonstrated ability to deliver under pressure with strict deadlines
- Motivated self-starter able to work independently
Eligibility
3ie will recruit one individual who is a resident of India with the right to work. 3ie is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on sex, age, ethnicity or sexual orientation. We particularly encourage women, ethnic minorities and differently-abled persons to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Terms of reference
- Candidates should be available to start at the earliest.
- The contract would be for a period of two years with a possibility of renewal.
- 3ie offers competitive remuneration based on experience and qualifications.
How-to apply
- Please apply by e-mail to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] mentioning ‘Application: Research Assistant, Bengaluru’ in the subject line. All applications must include the following:
- A cover letter
- An updated curriculum vitae highlighting relevant experience
- Names and contact information of three references
*Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, and those received by 10 January 2022 will be given priority. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.
