JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Research Assistant (Quantitative)

Reports To: Senior Research Officer
  
Duty station: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Duration: Fixed-term contract till March 2026 with potential scope of extension

Start Date: March 2025

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, 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. We focus 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

BBC Media Action is looking to hire a Research Assistant for its Bangladesh country office to support its quantitative research and monitoring activities. The Research Assistant will assist the team in analysing and reporting on various surveys and monitoring data. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of statistical tools and techniques and practical experience using SPSS software for their work.

Main Duties & responsibilities

  • Work with research colleagues to design and draft research instruments. Input into and help draft research designs – including sampling, participant recruitment, and logistics.  Review research instruments (survey questionnaires and discussion guides) prepared by agencies and internal clients.
  • Assist with briefings for field teams and supervise the pretesting and piloting of research instruments and recruitment of research participants. Monitor and control the quality of fieldwork and data collection.
  • Conduct surveys, pre-post assessments, and interviews at the community and stakeholder levels.
  • Work closely with colleagues to analyse statistical data and assist in drafting reports.
  • Present research findings to internal and external audiences and stakeholders.
  • Review the latest trends and developments in research methodologies related to behaviour change, impact assessment, and communications research, and evaluate their suitability to BBC Media Action’s Research and Learning work.
  • Participate in Research and Learning workshops and represent BBC Media Action in other knowledge-sharing workshops related to project activities and the project partners.

Essential skills and experiences

  • A minimum bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Bio-Statistical, Applied Statistics, Economics, and any other relevant discipline.
  • Experience in conducting survey interviews, and assessments with the rural and urban people in Bangladesh
  • Strong skill and ability in using statistical software SPSS
  • Experience in managing and analysing large and complex data sets
  • Strong IT skills, including Word, Excel, and PPT
  • Strong written and spoken ability in Bangla and English
  • Good time management skills, with a track record of delivering deliverables to deadline

Desirable skills and experiences

  • At least two years of professional experience in social and market research in a development or research organisation/agency.
  • Strong report writing skills, with the proven ability to communicate complex technical ideas using non-technical language to a wide range of audiences including journalists, production staff, and development practitioners.

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 except your completed application form.
  • 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 31 January 2025
The BBC is an equal opportunity employer and committed to being inclusive and accessible to disabled people.