Job Description

Project Description

The Transparency for Development (T4D) project seeks an excellent consultant research assistant to collect qualitative interview and observational data in Aduklu, Volta, Ghana. The evaluation is part of a multi-year, multi-donor project to provide robust quantitative and qualitative evidence on the impact of transparency and accountability interventions on health outcomes.

The research assistant will help evaluate an intervention aimed at improving maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) in rural villages using a modified version of a “community scorecard.”  The intervention is being conducted by an Accra-based nonprofit organization and is comprised of eight main activities: (1) introductory activities; (2) information gathering; (3) identification of intervention participants; (4) facilitation of meetings to share information about health services and uptake in the village (the “scorecard”) and develop an action plan; (5) sharing the action plan with the greater community during a public meeting; (6) community-led social action; (7) a series of facilitated follow-up meetings, and (8) one or more  meetings between the intervention participants and a district government official. 

Job Description

This is a field-based position, located in Adaklu, Volta, Ghana.  The successful research assistant will report to the T4D program manager (based in the United States) and complete the following major tasks:

1. Make all necessary introductions to village authorities and health authorities.
2. Conduct facility surveys in the assigned 4-8 Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) health centers.  Facility surveys include observation and interviews with staff.  For each assigned CHPS center, one survey should be completed at the beginning of the assignment and a second survey should be completed at the end. The research assistant will be given a research protocol to conduct these surveys.
3. Observe all T4D meetings in the assigned villages.  The research assistant will be given a specific observation tool to aid in observation.
4. Compile a short biography of each T4D intervention participant.  Guidelines will be provided.
5. Administer a short survey to each intervention participant, once at the beginning of the intervention (before the first meeting) and again at the end of the intervention (after the final meeting).  The research assistant will be given a specific survey protocol.
6. Compile a “village description” for each assigned village.  The village description will include answers to basic demographic questions (number of households, wealth, language, livelihood, etc.), infrastructure and provision of services, location (distance from public services, main road), community characteristics, governance, etc.  The research assistant will conduct interviews, focus groups discussions, and general observations to answer these questions.  Guidelines will be provided.
7. Compile a description of each “social action” and trace how it played out over the course of the intervention.  The research assistant will conduct interviews, focus groups discussions, and general observations to complete this description.  Guidelines will be provided. 
8. Key informant interviews (as assigned).  The research assistant will be asked to administer semi-structured key informant interviews to specific individuals.  These individuals may include community members, health facility staff and/or government officials. 
9. Focus groups (as assigned).  The research assistant will be asked to administer focus groups around particular topics. 

In addition to the above, the research assistant may be asked to help on other tasks needed for the successful completion of the evaluation.

Additional Information: 


This is a remote, field-based position, located in Adaklu, Volta, Ghana.  The research assistant is required to immediately report any problems encountered in the field. 

A weekly phone call with the T4D team is required.  Data collected during the previous week must be transmitted electronically 48 hours in advance of the meeting.  During the call, the research assistant and T4D program manager will agree on the work plan for the coming week.   

Anticipated start date is in May 2017, and the expected duration of the assignment is 6 months, though exact end date will depend on mutual agreement with the successful applicant.  We anticipate that this position will be full-time during these 6 months; as such, we are seeking applicants who are willing to be based in Adaklu full time during this assignment.  The assignment will also require travel between villages in the district.

Required Skills or Experience

• Undergraduate/first degree (required) or advanced degree in public health, social sciences, public policy, journalism, or related fields.
• Training in qualitative interview methods (required).
• Prior experience conducting interviews with participants in rural settings.
• Knowledge of public health issues and/or maternal, newborn and child health in Ghana.
• Must be able to conduct interviews in both Ewe and English.  Twi language skills a plus.
• Fluency in English, including strong writing skills.
• Very self-motivated, with the ability to work quickly and efficiently with little supervision.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Flexible, comfort with ambiguity, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a team player.
• Data collection experience using android technology (phones or tablets).  Experience with Survey CTO a plus.
• Comfort with technology, including typing, Microsoft Word and Excel, and using the internet.