Quantitative Researcher at Institute for Community Based Sociotherapy (ICBS): (Deadline 21 February 2024)

Quantitative Researcher at Institute for Community Based Sociotherapy (ICBS): (Deadline 21 February 2024)

Organization: Institute for Community Based Sociotherapy (ICBS)

Job Title: Quantitative researcher

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Type: Full-time employment

Are you passionate about leveraging the power of quantitative research to make a meaningful impact at community, national and international level? Do you believe in the transformative potential of qualitative and quantitative data-driven insights to create positive changes? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our ICBS team in Rwanda! We are looking for a highly experienced and talented quantitative researcher who can take the lead in designing our regional monitoring and evaluation framework to study the effectiveness and limitations of the community-based sociotherapy approach.

About ICBS 

The Institute for Community Based Sociotherapy (ICBS) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) established in the Netherlands in 2019. The institute works as a global expertise network, uniting professionals, and organizations from different parts of the world that implement community-based sociotherapy (CBS). The CBS approach has been developed in 2005 in Rwanda, as an integrated Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Peacebuilding (PB) approach.

ICBS has a sociocracy-inspired governance structure, which helps our teams to work in a self-steering, non-hierarchical way and to create an empowering work culture, whereby decision-making is consent-based through a decentralized system, and authority is distributed among the team members.

CONNECT Project Overview

In partnership with CBS Rwanda, the Anglican Church of Rwanda, Byumba Diocese (E.A.R. Byumba) and Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Uganda (TPO Uganda), ICBS is implementing the ‘CONNECT project’. The project aims at scaling up the CBS approach in the Great Lakes Region, including Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and runs for a period of 36 months.

Job Summary 

The Quantitative Researcher will support the CONNECT project team in developing the regional monitoring and evaluation framework for the project, with a particular focus on the quantitative component of the research. The Quantitative Researcher will also play a pivotal role in the design of the multi-country clustered Randomized Controlled Trial (c-RCT). In addition, the researcher will guide the development of tailor-made monitoring and evaluation software.

Key responsibilities:

1. Design and conduct mixed-methods and quantitative studies

• Develop and implement robust quantitative research methodologies to assess the effectiveness and limitations of community-based sociotherapy.
• Co-design the multi-country clustered Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), that will be implemented in Rwanda, Uganda, DRC and Burundi.
• Co-design the learning agenda for the regional CONNECT Project, from the framework of implementation science.
• Ensure all research ethics are considered in the research designs and apply for necessary research permits.

2. Data management

• Develop strategies for data collection and develop data-analysis plans.
• Train enumerators on research ethics and quantitative data-collection interviews.
• Quality control of the evaluation data and advising on analysis of the monitoring data to facilitate reporting, learning and disseminating results at project level.
• Collect and analyse quantitative data, applying statistical techniques to measure the effectiveness of CBS and to uncover patterns and trends that inform evidence-based decision making.
• Contribute to the design of tailor-made monitoring and evaluation software for the ICBS and in particular the CONNECT project.
• Develop a plan for data-management within ICBS and its partners implementing the CONNECT project, to ensure that all data gathered are filed properly and stored securely.

3. Dissemination of findings

• Work closely with community members, local organizations, and partners to ensure that research is participatory, culturally sensitive, and aligned with community needs.
• Provide insights to enhance project design and delivery (implementation research), by using the outcomes of the quantitative data analysis.
• Translate findings into actionable recommendations: present research findings in a clear and accessible manner, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to translate insights into actionable strategies for positive change.
• Contribute to report writing within the organization.
• Write scientific articles about the research findings.

4. Training and capacity building

• Develop a training programme for fellow research colleagues working in the CONNECT project focusing on quantitative research and data-analysis.
• Conduct workshops and training sessions to share expertise, providing practical insights into quantitative research techniques and methodologies.
• Provide one-on-one support and mentorship to colleagues, addressing specific questions related to quantitative research.

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties. 

Requested Profile

Terms of Employment 

This is a full-time position. The Quantitative Researcher will be based at the ICBS Office in Kigali, Rwanda with travels to the districts and to offices of partner organizations.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit electronically their motivation letter, CV, list of publications and at least three references to: vacancies@icbs.ngo and copy to vacancies.icbs@gmail.com. Please include “Quantitative Researcher” in the subject line and kindly add your monthly salary expectation (take-home salary range) in the motivation letter. The application deadline is Friday 21^st of February 2024, 17:00 hrs. The applications can be addressed to the General Lead of ICBS, Mr. Diogene Karangwa. For any questions regarding the position, contact Angela Jansen (angela.jansen@icbs.ngo) and copy Diogene Karangwa (diogene.karangwa@icbs.ngo). Visit us on www.iicbs.org (soon to be: www.icbks.ngo).