Research Assistants

Job Details

FENU is implementing a research study to assess subject-specific and gender-responsive teacher recruitment and deployment gaps in government and grant-aided secondary schools across 75 districts in Uganda. The Research Assistant will support collection of high-quality field data from assigned schools using KoboCollect and ensure timely submission of complete and accurate datasets. This is a field-based, full-time assignment involving extensive travel within assigned districts, including hard-to-reach areas. Reporting to the Research Supervisor / Project Management team. Safeguarding: FENU has zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation or harassment and is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in the mandatory project induction and training and familiarize yourself with the study protocol, data collection tools and assigned schools
• Plan daily travel routes to assigned schools
• Visit assigned secondary schools and administer electronic questionnaires using KoboCollect
• Obtain information from designated school officials while observing ethical research principles
• Verify responses using available school records such as staffing lists, timetables and other administrative documents
• Capture GPS coordinates and photographic evidence where required
• Maintain confidentiality of all information collected
• Validate completed questionnaires before submission and upload completed forms to the central database on a daily basis
• Prepare and submit daily field activity reports and participate in daily or scheduled debrief meetings with supervisors
• Promptly report any field challenges affecting data collection

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

• Minimum of a Diploma in any related field of study
• At least one year of experience conducting field surveys or research
• Demonstrated experience using KoboCollect, ODK or similar mobile data collection platforms
• Experience working in Uganda's education sector will be an added advantage
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• High level of integrity and commitment to research ethics
• Good planning and time management skills
• Ability to work independently under minimum supervision
• Attention to detail and commitment to data quality
• Willingness to travel extensively within assigned districts, including hard-to-reach areas