Research Program Advisor

POSITION: RESEARCH PROGRAM ADVISOR

FXB Rwanda is a Rwandan Local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) created in February 2012. It is affiliated to FXB International; an international NGO created in 1989, whose mission is to fight poverty and HIV/AIDS. FXB Rwanda in partnership with Boston College of the United States is implementing a research program on children and adversity in Rwanda.  FXB Rwanda is a leading implementing partner of a research initiative, Strong Families locally known as “Sugira Muryango.” Which focuses on home-visiting to promote early childhood development (ECD) for families living in extreme poverty in Rwanda. This year, FXB Rwanda in partnership with Boston College School of Social work received funds from multiple donors to scale up the Sugira Muryango interventions in Rubavu, Nyanza & Ngoma Districts. By joining a dynamic team of FXB staff, we hope that the position will offer unique career development opportunities for the successful candidate.

FXB Rwanda is recruiting one competent and dynamic Rwandan national to fill the position of Research Program Advisor.

Position title: Research Program Advisor

Reports to: FXB Rwanda Sugira Muryango Program Manager

Number of Positions: 1

Job location: FXB Coordination office with frequent travel in the districts of intervention

Period: 1-year renewable based on performance and availability of funds (including three months of probation period.

1. JOB PURPOSE

Sugira Muryango is a Family Strengthening Intervention (FSI) research initiative designed for families living in extreme poverty. It is a preventative, family-based model that uses home visiting and active coaching to encourage positive parent-child interactions while discouraging violence against children. This intervention will be examined via a randomized control trial to test the impact on children’s overall ECD when the intervention is delivered by the government social protection volunteer workforce, Inshuti z’ Umuryango (IZU).

Under the direct supervision of the FXB Rwanda Program Manager, The Research Program Advisor will be responsible to provide technical support and coordination of all research program interventions across the three districts and build the capacity of staff in terms of Evidence-Based ECD deliverables focusing on Home Visitation approaches promoted by the Sugira Muryango Program. The Research Program Advisor will also work with in-country stakeholders and advisory groups to communicate study findings and build capacity around the use of evidence-based decision making and practices to support ECD initiatives in Rwanda.

1. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provide technical guidance, facilitate program-related trainings and support quality capacity building to district team leaders, Associate district team leaders and Sector Level Associate trainers in ECD services delivery as promoted by Sugira Muryango.
• Working with Program Manager and other program staff during the work plan development and provide supportive supervision to district and sector staff to ensure quality implementation of the program.
• Deputizing the Program Manager whenever needed and work closely with Boston College staff in charge of research activities for this particular program.
• Support other program staff in the coordination of day to day implementation of the program interventions by assessing the research gaps to be addressed.
• Assist the FXB Rwanda program manager in the preparation of drafts for the Sugira Muryango Program’s monthly, quarterly and annual reports in line with the donor’s reporting timelines.
• Represent FXB Rwanda at National and district stakeholder meetings and other external meetings as needed.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other Program staff and other ECD stakeholders to ensure smooth program implementation across areas of operation.
• Provide feedback on questionnaires, surveys, and other data collection instruments through critical analysis
• Ensure all program field team are supported and have sufficient tools and materials to run program interventions within planned scope and timeline
• Provide technical support to district team leaders in the identification, analysis, documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, best practices, and success stories from the program.
• Lead the translation of interviews and other data collected by cell mentors and IZU’s and provide technical guidance to other program staff on how to transcribe interviews from Kinyarwanda to English.
• Provide technical programmatic leadership in program design and implementation
• Conduct site visits, review and consolidate narrative field visit reports prepared by district team leader staff during their field visits
• Supervise program monitoring & evaluation-related activities to make sure that all activities are in line with professional ethics and standards.
• Analyze interventions’ results, and trends for sharing with Staff and other stakeholders to enhance knowledge sharing.
• Support district staff in training identification and tracking of Risk of Harm cases and referrals
• Support Program Manager in identifying staff capacity gaps and develop strategies to strengthen their capacities in order to improve the implementation of Sugira Muryango
• Perform any other duties as assigned by her/his supervisor

1. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENT KNOWLEDGE

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree (preferred psychology, social science or health-related fields)
• At least 4 years of experience in working with OVC or ECD Research field including experience in assessing ECD development, activities to promote ECD, nutrition as a means of promoting ECD
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in both Kinyarwanda and English
• Ethical sensitivity and strong judgment in working with vulnerable households; especially Ubudehe 1 households
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email (Gmail preferred); Google Drive, and cloud-based storage systems
• Excellent Data analysis skills using SPSS, STATA, or R.
• Proficient in Redcap or Survey CTO data gathering platforms
• Proficient in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods analysis
• Must have experience managing large field teams during the field surveys
• Must be proficient translating and interpreting from Kinyarwanda to English and vice-versa, both written documents and oral communication
• Willing to work with a diverse group of team members and under minimum supervision;
• Self-directed, organized, reliable and hard-working
• Respect for and comfort working with vulnerable populations
• Experience in extensive community data collection (fieldwork), analysis, and data interpretation.
• Experience in electronic and paper-based data collection in accordance with best practice
• Experience in team management and supervisory skills
• Having a driving license – (Cat. B) Is an added advantage.

1. OTHERS SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Practical experience in ECD training and nutrition
• Practical ECD home visiting approach would be an advantage
• Proven experience in working with partners, especially government at local, district and national level
• Ability to professionally represent FXB Rwanda to government and NGO partners within the district
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Strong interpersonal, multi-cultural, and training/mentoring skills.

Female applicants with required skills are encouraged to apply to this vacant position.

Interested candidates with required skills and competences are requested to submit their applications (only soft copies will be accepted) addressed to FXB Rwanda Executive Director. The application includes motivation letter and updated CVs must be submitted to FXB Rwanda via the following address: info@fxbrwanda.org not later than June 12, 2020.

Please remember to add the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line of the email.

Any applications sent after the deadline will not be considered.

Due to the big number of expected applicants only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for exams.