Closing date: October 16, 2020
Social and Behavior change assessment (SBC) in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties in Kenya
USAID Nawiri is seeking a Research Assistant with experience in quantitative and qualitative research particularly in desk study and other qualitative research skills to assist in both technical and programmatic review of a two phase Nawiri Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Analysis.
The Research
Assistant will support the SBC desk study and related
formative field research in Isiolo and Marsabit counties, in order to
contribute to the refinement of NAWIRI’s theory of Change (ToC) and the design
of key Nawiri project intervention to address acute malnutrition in Isiolo and
Marsabit counties.
Period
of performance: October 26 – December 15, 2020
Level of
effort: approximately 40 days or about 50% FTE;
LOE will vary by month.
The main objective of the Social and Behavior Change (SBC) analysis is to:
- Identify
the most critical behaviors to change at different levels of the
socio-ecological model, to address persistent acute malnutrition in Isiolo
and Marsabit counties.
- Identify
the key actors, their roles and opportunities to change these critical
behaviors in Isiolo and Marsabit counties.
- Map
pathways to change for those priority behaviors, including identification
of factors impeding or motivating their practice
- Identify
feasible social/community-oriented interventions (i.e. social change) that
can be tested and iterated to complement the facilitators and mitigate the
barriers, by creating community environments conducive to sustainable
positive behavioral change.
Recommendations generated from the SBC assessment will inform further
development Nawiri Phase I activities as fitting, and the design of Phase II,
as part of our wider collaborative learning and design/CLA approach.
Key
Tasks of the Research Assistant:
Under the guidance of the SBC Advisor, the SBC Research Assistant will
assist in:
- Identifying
and gathering key resource materials for the desk review, especially those
from Kenya’s ASAL contexts and similar areas/ programs with a
comprehensive bibliography.
- Mapping
correlations between social and behavior change and acute malnutrition
knowledge /information gaps in target counties.
- Building
behavior profiles for nutrition-specific behaviors, both nutrition
specific and nutrition-sensitive actions within the Agriculture, WASH,
child spacing, Energy and health sectors that support the uptake or
strengthen the impact of the nutrition-specific behaviors.
- Identifying
research gaps to inform design of formative assessment study tools and
field plan.
- Pre-testing
of study tools and assist in logistics planning for training of research
assistants
- Logistical
support in data storage and archiving for both primary and secondary data
collected
- Preparation
of dissemination materials as well.
- Any other
relevant tasks as assigned by the supervisor
Qualifications:
- Must be a
Kenyan citizen, currently based in Kenya and available for the duration of
the assignment.
- Master’s
degree Sociology, Anthropology, Public Health or any other relevant social
sciences
- Demonstrated
expertise and experience in conducting desk reviews and implementing
evidence-based social and behavior change strategies.
- Skills in
designing and development of research tools
- Experience
in qualitative research methods, preferably in the East Africa and/ or
pastoralist contexts and proven experience in SBC research/studies
- In-depth
knowledge and experience of participatory research approaches and tools.
- Ability to
work in a dynamic team with colleagues of different backgrounds, to
develop and implement new ideas
- Willingness
to travel to the field and community levels as required.
- Proficiency
in Microsoft office suite and reference and research management tools such
as Zotero and Mendeley.
- Nutrition
/ dietary research or program experience is a plus**
- Residents
of Isiolo and Marsabit county are preferred
- Knowledge
of any one of the local county languages is a plus
Reporting
of the Research Assistant
The SBC Research Assistant reports to Nawiri SBC Advisor and has key
working relations with Nawiri GYSD Lead and Nawiri County Teams.
How to
Apply
To apply please send CV and
cover letter to manoff@manoffgroup.com with “SBC Research Assistant”
in the subject line by October, 16th 2020. No inquires please. Due to an
anticipated large number of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be
contacted.
The Manoff Group, Inc.
(TMG) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and
qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion,
gender, gender identity, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age,
handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. TMG complies with
all applicable laws.