Research Officer Full Time

Position: Research Officer
Location: Mogadishu, Somalia
Duration: 6 months
Level of effort: full-time

Evidence for Change (E4C)

E4C is a humanitarian research organization dedicated to generating and translating evidence that strengthens humanitarian policy, practice, and decision-making in fragile and crisis-affected settings. We partner with governments, UN agencies, NGOs, donors, and academic institutions to design and implement operational research, impact evaluations, and surveillance systems.

Our vision is that humanitarian decisions are informed by timely, rigorous, and locally generated evidence that improves the lives of crisis-affected communities.

Our People

Our multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, nutritionists, public health researchers, statisticians, qualitative researchers, and humanitarian practitioners with extensive experience across Somalia and the Horn of Africa. E4C is highly committed to diversity and inclusion, to enabling and promoting flexible working for our staff, and to supporting continued professional development.

Position Summary

The Research Officer supports the implementation of humanitarian research and evaluation activities, undertaking quantitative and qualitative data collection while ensuring high standards of data quality and research ethics. Working closely with the Project Lead, Research Coordinator and wider project team, the role contributes to the successful delivery of E4C’s research projects.

Eligibility

This position is open to Somali nationals who are legally able to work in Somalia. Applicants must be available to work in Somalia and willing to travel to field locations as required.

Key Responsibilities

Data collection

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative data collection in accordance with approved research tools, protocols and ethical standards.
• Travel to designated field sites to conduct interviews, focus group discussions and surveys.
• Transcribe qualitative interviews and focus group discussions, as required.
• Liaise professionally and respectfully with community members, local authorities and other stakeholders during fieldwork.

Data Quality & Research Support

• Ensure the accuracy, completeness and quality of data collected before submission.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure the secure handling of research data in accordance with E4C’s data protection procedures.
• Identify and report any challenges, discrepancies or risks encountered during fieldwork in a timely manner.
• Participate in project briefings, training and debrief meetings organised by the Research Coordinator or other senior project staff.

Field Coordination

• Support the design and delivery of enumerator training, including data collection tools, survey protocols and research ethics.
• Supervise enumerators during fieldwork, monitoring data collection progress and quality.
• Conduct spot checks to verify adherence to research protocols and data quality standards.
• Provide technical guidance to enumerators on data collection tools, sampling procedures and respondent engagement.
• Escalate field or enumerator performance issues to the Project Lead or Research Coordinator, as appropriate.

Other Responsibilities

• Undertake any other duties assigned by the supervisor that are consistent with the scope of the role.

Reporting Line

The Research Officer reports to the Project Lead or Research Coordinator and works closely with the wider project team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Nursing, or another health-related field from a recognised university. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience conducting field-based quantitative and/or qualitative data collection, including administering questionnaires and conducting interviews and focus group discussions.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or supervising field data collectors.
• Experience using electronic data collection platforms (e.g. KoboToolbox, ODK or similar).
• Familiarity with the humanitarian research and the Somali context.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Somali (Maxaa Tiri required, Maay desired)
• High level of integrity, professionalism and commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality data.
• Willingness and ability to travel to field locations, including hard-to-reach areas, as required.

Tagged as: Evidence for Change, Somalia