Research Officer

Job Opportunity: Research Officers (2 positions)

Horn Africa Consultants Firm (HACOF) is a fully-fledged international development implementing agency providing solutions to governments, regional institutions, humanitarian, and development partners. We are committed to contributing to sustainable development and transforming lives of people through implementation of a myriad range of activities. Established in 2012, HACOF provides technical solutions to our partners in the areas of: Research, Communication and Policy Analysis, Governance and stabilization, Growth and Resilience, MSME, Environment and Climate change. Visit our website https://hacof.com/.

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking to recruit dedicated and ambitious professionals who want to continue learning while taking on new challenges and responsibilities within the team. In turn, they are anticipated to gain broad exposure and experience in the development and humanitarian sectors.

The Research Officer(s) will oversee the entire research process, from initial concept, planning and design to field implementation modalities, data analysis, and report writing.

We seek candidates who are enthusiastic team players, passionate about delivering well-informed research products, eager to engage in every phase of the research cycle, and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Given HACOF’s wide-ranging research portfolios across different themes and regions, successful candidates have been adaptable researchers capable of quickly adjusting to new topics, methodologies, and workflows.

This full-time position is based in our Mogadishu, Somalia office, with occasional travel to various project sites across the country. Research Officers will report to the Operations Manager.

Description of Main Duties

Develop research methodologies to tackle essential study questions:

• Work closely with teams and client representatives to pinpoint research questions and objectives.

• Create innovative and comprehensive research methodologies that align with project aims, ensuring they are designed to effectively gather and analyze pertinent data. These includes selecting suitable qualitative and quantitative research techniques, formulating detailed research plans, and designing data collection tools such as surveys, interview guides, and focus group protocols.

• Additionally, ensure that the methodologies adhere to ethical standards and are culturally sensitive and contextually relevant. Continuously refine and adapt research strategies based on feedback and preliminary findings to enhance the effectiveness and accuracy of the research process.

  Design Quantitative and Qualitative Data Collection Tools:

• Develop surveys, questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussion (FGD) protocols tailored to the research objectives and subject matter.

• Conduct pilot tests of data collection tools to ensure clarity, relevance, and reliability. Revise tools based on pilot test feedback.

• Customize data collection tools to suit various contexts and populations, ensuring cultural sensitivity and appropriateness.

  Manage Data Collection Field Teams and Implement Data Quality Control Protocols:

• Participate in field team recruitment and train field data collectors, ensuring they are well-versed in data collection techniques and ethical standards.

• Coordinate and supervise field teams, ensuring adherence to data collection protocols and timelines.

• Develop and implement data quality control measures, including real-time data validation, spot checks, and regular feedback sessions.

  Data Cleaning for Quantitative and Qualitative Data using latest relevant applications.

• Check for data entry errors such as typos, missing values, and outliers.

• Ensure data consistency by verifying that the data conforms to expected patterns.

• Identify and remove duplicate entries to maintain the integrity of the dataset.

• Address missing data by applying appropriate techniques such as imputation, using mean/mode values, or removing incomplete records (following senior guidance).

• Detect and flag outliers for further review by senior researchers.

• Assist in reviewing and correcting transcriptions of interviews, focus groups, and other qualitative data sources.

• Work closely with senior researchers and data analysts to understand data cleaning requirements and priorities.

• Communicate any significant data issues or anomalies to senior researchers for further investigation, resolution and action.

  Support/Lead Report Writing:

• Check for data entry errors such as typos, missing values, and outliers.

• Ensure data consistency by verifying that the data conforms to expected patterns.

• Identify and remove duplicate entries to maintain the integrity of the dataset.

• Address missing data by applying appropriate techniques such as imputation, using mean/mode values, or removing incomplete records (following senior guidance).

• Detect and flag outliers for further review by senior researchers.

• Assist in reviewing and correcting transcriptions of interviews, focus groups, and other qualitative data sources.

• Work closely with senior researchers and data analysts to understand data cleaning requirements and priorities.

• Communicate any significant data issues or anomalies to senior researchers for further investigation, resolution and action.

• Prepare detailed research reports, including methodology, findings, and recommendations, ensuring clarity and coherence.

• Create data visualization (charts, graphs, tables) to effectively communicate research findings.

• Participate in peer review processes to ensure the quality and rigor of research reports.

  Experiences and Qualifications

  Position Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in, social sciences, statistics, economics, agronomy or equivalent qualifications or evidence of equivalent experience in relevant field with advance social science research experience (Masters preferred)

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in research methodology design, as well as quantitative and qualitative data analysis particularly on Third Party Monitoring (TPM), surveys, evaluations, etc.

• Experience working with a consultancy firm, research or think tank organizations and collecting primary quantitative or qualitative data will be considered an asset.

• Illustrated working knowledge of data analysis software for both quantitative and qualitative data.

• Experience in collaborating and managing field data collection teams.

• Eagerness to engage in research across a multitude of sectorial areas.

• Ability to work on multiple projects independently with minimal supervision.

• Ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines.

• Excellency in communication skills both oral and written.

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali.