Researcher

The Researcher will manage the implementation of research activities in Brazil. The Researcher will have a strong focus on how vulnerable and marginalized groups communicate to access information about COVID-19-related issues and how their use of online media intersects with their use of traditional media and other sources. Research activities include desk research, social media monitoring, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, surveys, capacity assessment interviews and field observations. The research will help to inform public health and humanitarian response agencies to better communicate key messages to the at-risk population.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

• Work closely with the Lead Researcher, Social Scientist and Project Manager to design research activities;
• Adapt research tools to the local context;
• Coordinate with partner organizations to provide training to ensure quality data collection practices;
• Clean, collate and analyze data collected by staff and partner organizations;
• Conduct key informant interviews with community leaders, influencers, public health and humanitarian agency officials, media representatives, and others;
• Identify information flows, uses, popular platforms, trusted actors, and how information on the virus is produced, distributed, and accessed;
• Contribute to the writing of the final report;
• Generate graphs or other engaging content to display data;
• Deliver regular reporting to the project team;
• Perform any other duties as assigned by supervisors; and
• Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to upholding

QUALIFICATIONS WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Strong Monitoring and Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) background, especially using a mix of qualitative and quantitative, observational participatory data collection and analysis methods, working in complex, humanitarian contexts
• Master's degree in social sciences, international development, evaluation, or a related field
• At least five years of experience conducting project/program impact evaluation
• Fluency in written and spoken Portuguese and English
• Direct research experience with Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian communities located in Northern Brazil is a plus
• Excellent intercultural communication skills/cultural sensitivity and the ability to forge strong cross-cultural relationships and build trust demonstrated through previous experience
• Strong co-design facilitation, presentation, writing and communication skills
• Familiarity with the latest research on mis- and disinformation, trust and related research emerging from political, social and communication sciences
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian principles to ensure data collection and provision follow the Core Humanitarian Standards
• Relevant experience working with data collection and analysis software, including Kobo Toolbox or similar software
• Data visualization skills and knowledge of relevant software to produce infographics, a plus
• Strong software skills to ensure proper design and layout of the regular reports, a plus
• Self-motivated and used to work in a fast-paced environment