RESEARCH OFFICER

Job Description

Fixed-term contract:

FULL-TIME

RESEARCH OFFICER

(Urban Health and/or  Climate Change focus) 

07/03/2024 

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 ‘Research Officer, 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  organisations. SLURC is trusted by local and national governance actors, NGOs, and international organisations, enabling partnerships that can transform urban development in  Sierra Leone. 

THE ROLE 

The Research Officer will be instrumental in implementing research activities on various projects with an Urban Health and Climate Change focus under the guidance of 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 Research Officer will contribute to analysis, report  writing, collaborate with research partners, and work closely with Junior Researchers and  Research Assistants. Building relationships with urban stakeholders, facilitating capacity building workshops, and presenting at events are key aspects of the role. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Under the supervision of the Senior Researcher and Directors, the Research Officer will:

• Assist in designing research methods and tools
• Lead specific research projects, particularly focusing on Urban Health and Climate Change, developing workplans together with the Prime Investigator and partners, and  ensuring timely and budgeted deliverables 
• Collect, compile, and analyze quantitative and/or qualitative data, including  transcription and coding 
• Maintain an updated database of project-relevant data  
• Collaborate with the team, Directors, and Finance department 
• Foster relationships with urban stakeholders, especially informal settlement  communities, and handle external inquiries about SLURC’s work  
• Contribute to reports, the quarterly SLURC newsletter, and other publications, ensuring effective research outputs are validated and disseminated 
• Plan research uptake activities, engaging with policymakers and practitioners
• Attend meetings, deliver presentations nationally and internationally and participate in  capacity-building activities  
• Fulfil any other ad hoc responsibilities as needed 

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 (at minimum) in Public Health, Environmental or Climate Sciences,  Development Studies, Sociology, Urban Studies, Geography, or other relevant  courses from a recognized university 
• Demonstrated minimum of 5 years of experience with research methods and  collecting, organizing, managing and cleaning datasets 
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy, ability to extract key  findings from significant amounts of information and disseminate the learning
•  Demonstrated experience in presenting results from data analysis for specialists and  non-specialists, good report writing and presentation skills 
• Ability to determine the best study design or approach to answer policy or practice  questions 
• 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)
•  Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with colleagues to achieve  organizational goals 
• Good organizational skills, working well under pressure, meeting multiple  commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results 
• 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

• Experience in carrying out participatory activities 
• Proficiency in Krio language 

DESIRABLE :

• Knowledge of statistics and experience using statistical packages for analyzing large  datasets (Advanced Excel, SPSS, Stata etc.) 
• Experience in using qualitative analysis tools (e.g. Nvivo) 
• Experience in participatory and action research 
• Experience in capacity-building activities and delivering training 
• Experience of using Information & Communication Technologies for Development 
• Experience in map development and GIS 
• Proven research skills evidenced through at least one published output 

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 ‘Research Officer, 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