Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world. 

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.    

EDC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.  

Project Description

The goal of the five-year, USAID-funded Integrated Child and Youth Development (USAID/ICYD) Activity is for Ugandan children and youth, especially the most vulnerable, to receive the support and services necessary to lead resilient, healthy, and productive lives. The USAID/ICYD Activity is expected to achieve the following:

1. Children and youth have improved learning outcomes;
2. Children and youth are safe and healthy in their community and learning environments; and
3. Youth practice positive behaviors and are able to make informed decisions about their lives and relationships.

Working in partnership with Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MGLSD), district and zonal officials, and other Ugandan government and civil society partners, ICYD will comprise a series of activities to: support improved basic education for Ugandan children; address school-related and gender-based violence; facilitate enhanced child protection and support for vulnerable youth; provide support to HIV-affected orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and their caregivers/families; and support HIV care and treatment outcomes in close collaboration with clinical and community structures. USAID/ICYD Activity will also contribute to improved systems within the MoES and MGLSD to promote Early Grade Reading (EGR) and child protection.

Purpose of the Qualitative Study

After 1 year of implementation, ICYD will conduct a qualitative study in August 2023 to collect feedback from beneficiaries and stakeholders regarding implementation of three pilot interventions to establish what has worked, what has not worked and adjustments that need to be made before scale up to additional districts. ICYD is piloting School-based Performance Review and Improvement Management (SPRIM), Voluntary Literacy Tutoring (VLT) and Early Warning System (EWS) in the districts of Luweero, Iganga, Masindi, Kyenjojo and Kabale with the aim of improving children’s learning outcomes and learner retention.

Data will be gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews with school governing bodies (SMC), headteachers and teachers.

Position Description

Qualitative Data Collectors will be responsible for conducting key informant interviews and focus group discussions with selected stakeholders in five USAID/ICYD districts: Luwero, Kabale, Masindi, Kyenjojo and Iganga. They will also be responsible for the transcription of the key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The selected candidates will undergo a training to equip them with the necessary knowledge regarding the tools and protocols for the exercise.

The successful candidates will be contracted for a maximum period of ten (10) working days in August 2023. All honoraria and expenses will be paid by USAID/ICYD.  The ten (10) Qualitative Data Collectors that will be recruited will report to, and will be supervised by, the ICYD M&E team.

** Please note that this is a local temporary position. Eligibility is limited to Ugandan nationals**

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with ICYD field teams to plan and schedule Key informant interviews and focus group discussions with selected stakeholders
• Conduct Key informant interviews and focus group discussions with selected stakeholders, objectively and in a technically competent, and friendly manner
• Transcribe (verbatim) all completed interviews and focus group discussions in MS Word.
• Adhere to all the research ethnics for data collection, storage, and dissemination received during training

Experience and Skills

The minimum qualifications are:

• Bachelor’s Degree is the minimum education requirement.
• Fluency in English and at least one of the four local languages - Luganda, Runyankore/Rukiga, Runyoro/Rutooro and Lusoga required. Please indicate language fluency in your application.
• At least five years’ experience with a significant portion in qualitative research, specifically conducting Key informant interviews and focus group discussions.
• Experience transcribing qualitative data.

Job closing date: August 1, 2023

To apply, Applicants are encouraged to visit the Careers Page: https://go.edc.org/UgandaPostings

Applications submitted without a resume or CV will not be reviewed.

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.

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EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

This announcement is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this notice are the sole responsibility of Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.