Vacancy: Consultant – Research Assistant
Introduction: The African Virtual University (AVU) is a Pan African Intergovernmental Organization established by charter with the mandate of significantly increasing access to quality higher education and training through the innovative use of information communication technologies.
Introduction: The African Virtual University (AVU) is a Pan African Intergovernmental Organization established by charter with the mandate of significantly increasing access to quality higher education and training through the innovative use of information communication technologies.
The AVU has its headquarters in
Nairobi, Kenya and a Regional office in Dakar Senegal with Host-Country
Agreements and Diplomatic Status with the two governments.
The AVU Business Plan 2009-2014 has two main thrusts:
(a) Educational and support services provided on a fee basis; and
(b) Not-for-profit development
services.
The Not-for-profit development services
aims at building the capacity of AVU Partner Institutions (PIs) with an
objective of increasing access to quality education through the following
activities: updating and developing content; Open Educational Resources (OER)
Development; AVU Capacity
Enhancement Program (ACEP); set up/upgrade ODeL centers; developing professional networks through Communities of Practices; Research and Development; and Quality Evaluation and Benchmarking.
Enhancement Program (ACEP); set up/upgrade ODeL centers; developing professional networks through Communities of Practices; Research and Development; and Quality Evaluation and Benchmarking.
Some of the Not-for-profit development services were delivered from 2005 to 2011 through the AVU Multinational Project I, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented in 10 African countries.
The AfDB is funding a second phase of the Multinational Project which will build on the first phase and will extend its benefits to more countries.
The overall objective of the AVU
Multinational Project II is to strengthen the capacity of the AVU and a network
of 27 institutions to deliver and manage quality ICT integrated education and
training opportunities in 21 African countries.
The project has the following
activities:
(1) Establishment of new Open
Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Centers and/or upgrading of exiting AVU Learning
Centers as well as Internet connectivity provision at AVU Partner Institutions;
(2) Development and/or improvement,
and delivery of four ICT integrated Programs: AVU Capacity Enhancement Program
(ACEP); Teacher Education (TE), Computer Science (CS), and Peace and Conflict
Resolution;
(3) Gender Mainstreaming,
(4) Research and Development;
(5) Promotion and development of Open
Education Resources (OERs); and
(6) Enhancement of AVU Capacity.
The AVU Multinational Project II will be implemented in 27 AVU Partner Institutions in the following 21 countries: nine (9) Francophone African Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal; three (3) Lusophone African Countries: Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique; and nine (9) Anglophone African Countries: Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, and Tanzania.
B) Research & Development
Research and Development is a new
area for the AVU and the objectives of the AVU R&D Unit include;
(1) strengthen capacity for quality
research in open, distance and e-learning (ODeL) in higher education in
Africa;
(2) identify research areas (e.g.
OERs, mobile learning) and conduct research related to AVU activities, such as
the MSPII;
(3) coordinate the implementation of
research in mobile learning;
(4) promote dissemination of ODeL
research by organizing international conferences and publication of a peer
reviewed open access online journal;
(5) strengthen the capacity of the
AVU to make strategic plans and to provide technical assistance on the basis of
research findings.
The R&D Unit will be conducting a number of ongoing studies including on open education resources (OER) and mobile learning, and wishes to engage a consultant to provide research assistance according to the details outlined below.
2.0 Qualifications
- Minimum: Master’s Degree in any field,
Education preferred.
- Knowledge, skills and experience in academic
research including: literature review, research design, data collection,
data analysis, report compilation and writing.
- Have sample of research work or writing
- Strong communication and organizational
skills.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team as well as
independently.
- Ability to collaborate with individuals from
different location and cultures.
- Self-starter and able to take initiative.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Language: Ability to write and communicate
proficiently in English. French or Portuguese desirable but not necessary.
- Good computer skills as well as familiarity
with common used research software.
3.0 Scope of Work
The consultant will be expected to
provide research assistance in the following areas:
- Conducting and compiling literature reviews,
- Desktop research,
- Research design (surveys, interview protocols
etc)
- Data collection including administering
surveys, conducting interviews and if needed travel to research sites.
- Data coding, data analysis, statistical
analyses, document analysis,
- Report compilation and writing
- Correspond and follow-up with research
participants as needed
4.0. Expected Deliverables: Research support provided as agreed in conducting
and compiling literature review, desk top research, research design and
instrument development, data collection, data analysis, report compilation and
writing, and corresponding with research participants.
5.0. Modalities of Work: The modalities of the work will be agreed upon
with the Manager, Research & Development.
The consultant will be required to fill a time sheet and provide a monthly report of tasks accomplished as per deliverables indicated above.
6.0 Duration: The consultant is expected to provide support for an initial period of 6 months, renewable for another 6 months if performance is satisfactory.
7.0 Reporting: The consultant will report to the Manager Research &
Development
8.0 Payment: The consultant will be expected to work for 8
days in a month for a nominal fee as will be agreed. The opportunity is
suitable for an advanced student (masters/doctoral) looking to gain additional
experience.
How to Apply
The successful candidate will be appointed for Eight (8) days a month for a period of Six (6) months.
How to Apply
The successful candidate will be appointed for Eight (8) days a month for a period of Six (6) months.
Application must include an
application letter and a detailed curriculum vitae with: a telephone number;
email address; and names with contact addresses of three professional
references.
Applications should be sent to
job@avu.org and must have Consultant – Research Assistant as the email subject
The successful candidate will be based at the AVU Headquarters in Nairobi,
Kenya.
The closing date for this application
is May 7th 2015 at 18:00 East African Time (UTC/GMT + 3)
Note: ONLY shortlisted candidates
will be contacted.
The African Virtual University (AVU)
is an equal opportunity employer.
Website: www.avu.org