The USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems (FEWS NET) Strategic Planning and Activity Design (SPADe) Support project, a global activity implemented by Tetra Tech International Development (International Development Jobs – Tetra Tech), is currently accepting expressions of interest for the Research Associate. This position can be fully remote from a continental US-based location or hybrid within a commutable distance to either one of our office locations in Burlington, VT, or Arlington, VA.
Position Description: The Research Associate will support the project’s research activities under the direction of the Research Advisor. The Research Associate will lead or contribute to literature reviews; assessment design and methodology; data collection, processing, cleaning, and analysis; interpretation of third-party analysis; technical report writing; and other tasks to complete Work Assignments (e.g., Country/Context Desk Reviews, Secondary Data Analyses, Market Analyses, Stakeholder Mapping and Analyses, and Scenario Planning). This is a full-time position, through 7 April 2026.
Responsibilities:
* Contribute to drafting Work Assignment responses for the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).
* Develop study methodologies, survey instruments, and implementation plans in collaboration with the Research Advisor and broader SPADe team.
* Collaborate with the SPADe GESI advisor to ensure methodologies and survey instruments are gender sensitive and inclusive.
* Collaborate with Tetra Tech’s Data Analytics and Technology (DAT) team to apply analysis of geospatial data for visualizations, and mapping required for Work Assignment deliverables.
* Train local partners to collect, collate, and verify survey data, Key Informant Interviews (KII), and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) following methodological protocol to ensure a rigorous and transparent collection process.
* Oversee consultants and enumerator teams as required.
* Ensure that data collection and analysis activities adhere to project human research subjects ethical standards, including IRB reviews as required, and to data security and management protocols.
* Provide technical input as requested, including qualitative and quantitative analysis and technical writing, into Work Assignments related to Country/Context Desk Reviews, Secondary Data Analyses, Market Analyses, Stakeholder Mapping and Analyses, and Scenario Planning.
* Examine and monitor secondary data related to food security conditions in countries of interest in preparation for future Work Assignments.
* Assist in the organization of Work Assignment work products and data sets, including filing, archiving, and sharing/publication.
* Lead Country/Context Desk Reviews and Stakeholder Mapping exercises under the supervision of the Research Advisor.
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
* Master’s degree in international development, economics, sociology, agriculture, or related field and a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience or a Bachelor’s degree and 6 years of relevant professional experience.
* Familiarity with the causes and consequences of acute and chronic food and nutrition insecurity, and with related standard measurement approaches, methods, and models. Additional subject matter familiarity with markets, household economics, and/or livelihoods preferred.
* Demonstrated experience working with both primary and secondary food security, nutrition, agricultural, and/or livelihoods data.
* Demonstrated experience designing and conducting qualitative and/or quantitative research, supporting field data collection, analyzing data, and interpretating data to create a clear narrative.
* Experience with quantitative research methods and applied statistics preferred. Demonstrated experience supporting research in, and/or the implementation of, food security activities in developing countries.
* One or more years of relevant experience in a developing country preferred (service in a volunteer program is considered relevant).
* Excellent technical writing skills.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic preferred.
* Ability and willingness to travel up to 20 percent of the time as required.
* Current U.S. work authorization is required at the time of application.
How to apply
To be considered, please submit the following:
* CV with experience listed in reverse chronological order
* Cover Letter
* One technical writing sample, 6-10 pages (longer documents are acceptable, but please indicate which 10 pages should be reviewed by the hiring committee)
Please ensure that only the requested documents noted above are submitted. Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
Application deadline is Thursday, March 21, 2024.
At Tetra Tech, health and safety play a vital role in our success. Tetra Tech’s employees work together to comply with all applicable health & safety practices and protocols, including health orders and regulations related to COVID-19 that are mandated by local, state, and federal authorities.
Tetra Tech International Development is committed to safeguarding and technical excellence in equality and social inclusion. Our team of dedicated Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) advisers work closely with our staff and partners to share international norms and best practices to improve the livelihoods of the world’s most marginalized groups. Tetra Tech International Development is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to our Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion (DEI) initiatives that aim to expand inclusion and an authentic sense of belonging to all our staff regardless of background.
Reasonable Accommodations:
We are dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Tech’s Disability Assistance Page or contact our Global Talent Operations team. Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.
Pay Transparency and Benefits Statement:
Tetra Tech offers comprehensive benefit options that allow employees to design a plan based on individual needs and assists in planning for long-term financial security. Available benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, term life, disability, accidental death & dismemberment coverage, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Spending Account (HSA), time off with pay, 401k retirement plan, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please visit Life at Tetra Tech – Tetra Tech to learn more about our benefits.
We are committed to taking a thoughtful, compliant and equitable approach to employment compensation and rate setting. We commit to providing a holistic comprehensive salary analysis, including reviews of individual skill sets and compensable factors related to qualifications, business needs, internal compensation data, and industry and labor market surveys. The anticipated pay range for this position is $70,000 – $90,000 annually.
Tetra Tech combines the resources of a global, multibillion-dollar company with local, client-focused delivery in more than 550 locations around the world. Our reputation rests on the technical expertise and dedication of our employees — 27,000 associates working together to provide smart, scalable solutions for challenging projects. We are proud to be home to leading technical experts in water, environment, infrastructure, resource management, energy, and international development. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities/Veterans employer.