Short-term Consulting Opportunity: Research Assistant/Note Takers, USAID/Bangladesh UPOMA Activity.

Location: Dhaka but need to travel around the country with team (as required).

Encompass is implementing the four-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bangladesh Upoma Activity, providing a range of analytical and advisory services to support USAID/Bangladesh. Upoma has been tasked with evaluating several USAID/Bangladesh projects. To assist the Upoma evaluation teams to collect data from key informant interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), EnCompass LLC is seeking local Research Assistants/Notes Takers with excellent note-taking and English language skills, who are willing to travel throughout Bangladesh as part of the evaluation team.

Key Responsibilities

The Research Assistant/Note Takers will accompany Upoma evaluation team members to Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with project stakeholders. The location of the KIIs and FGDs will depend on the project that is being evaluated. The primary responsibility of the Research Assistant/Note Takers is to:

  • Take detailed, near-transcript quality notes during KIIs and FGDs.
  • Take audio recordings of KIIs and FGDs (with permission of participants).
  • Use the audio recordings as an aid to complete KII and FGD notes, including a few direct quotations.
  • Translate notes from Bengali to English.
  • Provide translated notes in English to the evaluation Team Leader within one day of each KII and FGD.

Other responsibilities include

  • Assist with logistics for FGDs and KIIs. This includes helping to arrange transportation to KIIs and, for FGDs, helping to ensure the meeting room is set up and that drinks and snacks are available for FGD participants. 
  • Properly maintain records, including a detailed calendar of all meetings in an Excel spreadsheet.
  • Manage sign-in sheets for FGD participants (whenever required), especially whenever payment is provided as part of transportation costs.
  • Any other duties as assigned by the evaluation team leader.

Period of Performance and Level of Effort (LOE): up to 70 working days for the period January to June 2025 (contract may be extended based on performance)

Supervisor: The incumbent would be under the supervision of the evaluation Team Leader, or the Upoma Chief of Party.

Work schedule: Generally, five (5) days a week (Sunday to Thursday) but may need to work six days (except Friday) if required.

Position Requirements

Academic Qualifications: At least a Bachelor degree is required in a social science or humanities.

Requirements:

  • A minimum of 3-years of experience undertaking similar types of responsibilities described in the responsibility section.
  • Proven ability to take detailed, near-transcript quality notes on a laptop computer during key informant interviews and focus group discussions.
  • Proven ability to provide accurate, written translations from Bengali to English.
  • Willing to travel outside of Dhaka with evaluation team members to conduct KIIs and FGDs.
  • Excellent communication skills in Bengali and English.
  • Must own a laptop computer.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter and CV by December 31, 2024, demonstrating how your experience aligns to the requirements above to Upoma_Consultants@encompassworld.com

EnCompass LLC is a progressive Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote, celebrate, and support a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and workforce. We are committed to providing all of our employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate, and explicitly prohibit, discrimination or harassment of any kind, at any time, in all aspects of employment. This includes recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary measures, terminations, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and training. EnCompass also does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment. Our continuing commitment to the principle of Equal Opportunity Employment for all means all employment decisions are based only on the job requirements, the candidate’s qualifications, and the needs of EnCompass as a business—not on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, HIV status, family/marital/parental status, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we work.