JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Research Assistant

Reports To: Research Manager

Duty station: Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Duration: Till September 2025 (with the possibility of extension)

Start Date: October 2024

Context

BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international charity. We use media and communication to help deliver stronger democracies, a safer, more habitable planet, and inclusive societies. We combine a unique blend of journalistic, creative, research, and international development expertise; deep local knowledge of our audiences in the places we work; our strong networks of local partners; and our invaluable link to the BBC and everything it stands for.

We serve people most vulnerable to information disorder (including mis- and disinformation and information poverty), division, and distrust, focusing on people underserved by public interest media, and at the frontline of global challenges, risks and crises. We have a particular affinity for and track record of working with young people as agents of change; they will continue to be a central focus. BBC Media Action works with partners around the world to provide impartial, impactful, trustworthy media to people in need so that they can make informed choices to transform their lives.

Job purpose

To support its research initiatives in Cox's Bazar, BBC Media Action is seeking a Research Assistant for its Bangladesh country office. The ideal candidate must demonstrate a strong interest in qualitative research and possess excellent analytical skills. The candidate should be proficient in qualitative data collection methods, able to manage fieldwork in challenging environments, and dedicated to maintaining high data quality through rigorous triangulation. This role requires highly motivated research professionals who are prepared to deploy to the field on short notice.

Main Duties & responsibilities

  • Search for and review literature, then prepare a brief report or PowerPoint presentation based on the requirements.
  • Be involved in formulating research designs and preparing research briefs (where appropriate). Assist in developing research instruments.
  • Select study participants and stakeholders based on the selection criteria and maintain communication with them as needed.
  • Facilitate focus groups and conduct in-depth interviews, Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRAs), and ethnographies with the Rohingya and host communities, ensuring the reliability and validity of the data collected. Take the field note of formal and informal interviews/group discussions.
  • Assist in managing the daily field operations to ensure effective field execution and provide essential guidance and feedback to the data collectors to ensure data quality.
  • Arrange all the necessary field logistics (venue and accommodation). Maintain communication with local fixers and focal points of partner organisations to ensure proper logistics management.
  • Data management, including preparing transcripts/ frameworks/ summaries of interviews and group discussions.
  • Closely work with the line/task manager to analyse data and assist in drafting reports and preparing PowerPoint presentations.

Skills, knowledge, and experience requirements:

Criteria
Essential (E)/ Desirable (D)
A minimum bachelor’s degree from Social Science disciplines and any other relevant discipline
E
Experience in conducting fieldwork and facilitating interviews/discussions with the people from Rohingya and the Host community
E
Experience in taking notes, writing summaries/ transcripts from Cox’s Bazar local dialect to Bangla and English 
D
Strong IT skills, including Word, Excel, and PPT
E
Strong written and spoken ability in Bangla and English
E
Good time management skills, with a track record of delivering deliverables to deadline
E
Must have right to work in Bangladesh
E

The role may involve working with groups of vulnerable children and adults. For the successful candidate, mandatory training will be provided on BBC Media Action’s safeguarding policy and staff code of conduct. A police background check may form part of the recruitment process. BBC Media Action operates a zero-tolerance policy concerning all forms of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people.

How to Apply

If you are interested,

  • You must complete the latest job application form for BBC Media Action available at the link on www.bdjobs.com.
  • Mark your filled-in application form with your name and position
  • Mention the name of the position properly in the email subject line
  • Email your application form to applications@bd.bbcmediaaction.org.
  • Do NOT send any cover letter/CV/certificates/photograph
  • If you are applying for more than one position, you must apply separately in line with the job description.

The deadline for submitting applications is 19 September 2024

The BBC is an equal opportunity employer and committed to being inclusive and accessible to disabled people.