JUNIOR RESEARCHERS

Job Description

Fixed-term contract: FULL-TIME JUNIOR RESEARCHER 

07/03/2024 

SLURC is seeking Junior Researchers with expertise in any of the following focus  areas:  

1. a) Urban Health  
2. b) Climate change 
3. c) Urban Planning and Development  

Organization: Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre  

Reports to: Director of Research and Training  

Salary: Competitive salary 

Starting date: Asap 

Contract: Fixed-term contract on a full-time basis 

Duty station: Freetown, Sierra Leone 

Closing date for applications: Monday 25th March 2024, by 9am (Sierra Leone time) 

Application to be submitted electronically to Andrea Klingel: aklingel@slurc.org and copy  jmacarthy@slurc.org with subject line ‘Junior Researcher, Freetown’. 

THE SIERRA LEONE URBAN RESEARCH CENTRE 

Based in Freetown, the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC) is a globally connected  research Centre established in 2015 to address urban development challenges in Sierra  Leone. Its mission is to enhance the well-being of urban informal settlement dwellers by strengthening research and analysis capacities improving knowledge on the built environment,  making urban knowledge accessible, and delivering world leading research to shape urban  policy and practice. 

SLURC is developing a research network integrated with Freetown’s informal settlements and secondary cities in Sierra Leone, focusing on the needs of these communities and their  organizations. SLURC is trusted by local and national governance actors, NGOs, and international organizations, enabling partnerships that can transform urban development in  Sierra Leone. 

THE ROLE 

The Junior Researchers will coordinate research activities on various projects with an Urban Health and Climate Change or Urban Planning and Development focus under the guidance of  Research Officers, the Senior researcher and Director of Research and Training. The role might expand to cover a broader range of research themes in the future. The Junior  Researcher will transcribe interviews, assist with coding and analysis, report writing, work  closely with the research team and help manage relationships with urban stakeholders,.

SIERRA LEONE URBAN RESEARCH CENTRE (SLURC) 17a Hill Cot Road, Freetown, Sierra Leone.  Tel: +232 80 110183, Website: www.slurc.org  

Reporting to the Lead Research Officers, Senior Researcher and Director of Research and  Training, the Junior Researcher will be responsible for the following duties: 

• Collaborate with Research Officers in designing research methods and tools 
•  Coordinate research activities, including fieldwork such as conducting interviews,  facilitating focus groups, and supporting capacity-building activities with stakeholders  and office-based tasks (e.g. coding, data analysis and report writing) 
• Transcribe interviews and write field notes  
• Assist in coding and analyzing research findings 
• Contribute to SLURC publications, including newsletters, blogs, articles, and reports  as well as presentations 
• Provide guidance to Research Assistants and Interns 
• Cultivate and manage relationships with key stakeholders 
• Support research dissemination activities 
• Assist in organizing SLURC events and training courses 
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, quarterly project finance meetings,  and any other relevant gatherings 
• Carry out any other activities that may from time-to-time be assigned 

The appointed candidate must adhere to all SLURC policies, including the Safeguarding and  Equality policies, and Health and Safety rules, and those outlined in the Employee Handbook,  as well as comply with Sierra Leone laws.  

Note: This job description reflects the current requirements of the post. As duties evolve, the  job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the postholder.  

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS  

ESSENTIAL  

• A first degree in Public Health, Environmental or Climate Sciences, Development  Studies, Sociology, Urban Studies, Geography, or other relevant courses from a  recognized university 
• Demonstrated minimum of 3 years of experience with research methods and  collecting, organizing, managing and cleaning datasets 
• Demonstrated experience in designing research tools and sampling strategies
•  Demonstrated experience in carrying out research activities 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, web research tool)
•  Interest in professional development and commitment to the values and goals of  SLURC 
• Good interpersonal skills for guiding junior staff and working with different target groups  from community members to research partners, government officials and I/NGOs
•  Excellent facilitation skills 
• Proficiency in Krio language

APPLICATIONS FROM FEMALE CANDIDATES 

SLURC seeks to recruit a diverse workforce; therefore, we particularly encourage applications from female candidates. 

CONTRACTUAL DETAILS:  

The appointment will be made from the nearest possible date for a fixed-term period initially  up to 31st August 2024. This aligns with SLURC’s financial year-end when all staff contracts  are reviewed and renewed, based on project commissions and performance. 

APPLICATIONS PROCEDURE:  

Please submit a CV (max 4 pages) and a covering letter (max 2 pages) explaining your  motivations for applying for the post and how your experience and skills align with the person  specifications. Provide contact details for two recent referees (we will not contact them without  your permission).  

Applications need to be emailed to: aklingel@slurc.org and copy jmacarthy@slurc.org with  subject line ‘Junior Researcher, Freetown’. 

The deadline for applications is Monday 25th March 2024, by 9am (Sierra Leone time).  

The candidate must be available for an interview between 2nd and 5th April 2024 in Freetown  (possibly via Zoom if abroad).

SIERRA LEONE URBAN RESEARCH CENTRE (SLURC) 17a Hill Cot Road, Freetown, Sierra Leone.  Tel: +232 80 110183, Website: www.slurc.org