Behavioural Research Officer (quant focus)

Location: Tunis (Tunisia), Amman (Jordan), Erbil (Iraq) or Mexico City (Mexico) with frequent travel (30% of time)

Reporting Manager: Director, Behavioural Research, Experimentation and M&E

Start date: ASAP

Remuneration: About 1,800 – 2,800 USD per month, depending on level of experience and qualifications, plus benefits.

MAGENTA is a leading Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) Research and Communications agency that specialises in understanding human decision-making processes in order to design communications solutions for positive change in fragile and development settings. We implement programmes across the Middle East, Middle East, Asia and Latin America, using the latest in behavioural science principles and a rigorous approach to research, strategy, campaign design and implementation.

Our client base includes UN agencies, INGOs, governments and the private sector. We aim to amplify the voices of local actors while bringing international expertise and methodological rigour. To do so, we partner with civil society, creative agencies, media and academics to design innovative, relevant and impactful solutions to some of the most challenging problems of our time. Whether we are aiming to shift parenting practices to improve children’s outcomes or to understand how social norms underpin corruption, we always go the extra mile to ensure we can create positive impact for some of the most underserved populations in the world.

MAGENTA’s team operates across the globe, with offices in Jordan, Tunisia, Mexico and Iraq and operates on a range of projects that include research, strategy development, SBC intervention implementation, and evaluation.

Our behavioural research work is an essential component of our overall behavioural change methodology. We conduct large and small-scale research to garner behavioural or social insights that feed into the design of behavioural change interventions. We explore a wide range of issues amongst a wide range of subjects and therefore take a creative and empathetic approach to how we design our research methods.

We are looking for an exceptional individual, driven by a keen desire to deliver social impact and who thrive in fast-paced environment. In return, we will offer a strong mentoring and growth possibilities within an expanding team.

The Behavioural Research Officer position will be based in one of the MAGENTA offices across the world (Jordan, Tunisia, Iraqi Kurdistan or Mexico). The primary responsibilities of the Behavioural Research Officer will include: 1) Situational analysis; 2) technical research support; 3) project management; 4) growth.

The Behavioural Research Officer will work under the guidance of the Director, Behavioural Research, Experimentation and M&E. We are looking for exceptional individuals, driven by a keen desire to deliver social impact. In return, we offer a strong mentoring and training program, and exceptional growth possibilities within an expanding team.

Responsibilities

The Behavioural Research Officer will provide research support for a number of projects in different regions. Typical tasks include:

Situational Analysis

• Conduct thorough literature reviews on a variety of topics to inform the design of behavioural change projects and behavioural research studies
• Conduct stakeholder mappings and situational analyses to inform the design of behavioural change projects
• Write technical reports, project presentations, and programme updates through strategic thinking and analytical writing
• Conduct stakeholder consultations with subject matter experts, key informants, academics, etc. to inform situational analyses

Technical behavioural research support (quant focused)

• Develop and design creative and empathetic behavioural research methodologies to collect insights on the target audience, media consumption, social norms, awareness gaps and behavioural bottlenecks
• Apply behavioural change conceptual frameworks and theories to research design and analysis
• Conduct and manage research, including: quantitative research from development of research materials, surveys, field work (including face to face interviews), through to the analysis of data and evaluation
• Support the development of research tools, models, and inquiries for collecting and analysing data for each of the research topics
• Assist with developing and conducting evaluation studies
• Conduct in-house and external research and data collection trainings
• Develop training modules and conduct training for field researchers and local partners
• Ensure that MAGENTA data quality assurance protocols and mechanisms are followed by all teams and research partners
• Develop well-written reports that include contextual analysis and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data
• Oversee data visualisation of research products

Project Management

• Contribute to managing research projects from proposal to planning to implementation to close out
• Act as focal person for client liaison on research projects
• Establish coordinated data collection processes, standards for the entire project as required to meet monitoring, evaluation, and reporting needs
• Establish data collection processes that guarantee high-quality data in accordance with the agreed time plan and data collection strategy
• Coordinate and collaborate with the partners’ relevant staff as and when required
• Manage procurement and administrative aspects of the research projects including procurement local data collection teams or consultants.
• Update MAGENTA databases, including past performance records, contact lists, partner testimonials
• Record detailed meeting notes

Growth

• Contribute to identifying new growth areas for MAGENTA’s research business
• Compile project case studies and contribute to updating MAGENTA research portfolio on a regular basis

Requirements and Competencies

Education

• Master’s degree from a top tier university, ideally in behavioural science, psychology, sociology or economics

Experience

• 2-4 years of professional experience in conducting research in different settings.
• Experience in designing and conducting quantitative research.
• Experience working in developing country an asset.
• Excellent understanding of research methodologies.
• Ability to apply behavioural insights, research methods, and human centred design approaches to the design and evaluation of projects
• Excellent understanding of the research cycle – from design stage to data analysis and reporting.
• Software familiarity: SPSS, Excel or similar quantitative data analysis tools. Familiarity with NViVo, MAXQDA and other would be an asset.
• Knowledge of and experience living in Middle East strongly desired;
• Technological and digital fluency,

Strategic thinking

• A high-level strategic thinker, with a keen desire to learn and consume new information;
• Robust logic chain analytics and strong general analytical skills;
• Innovation driven;

Leadership

• Excellent communicator able to manage conflicts and develop constructive solutions;
• Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities;
• Demonstrated desire for excellence and an ability to inspire others to attain professional excellence;

Culture

• Willingness to live, work and travel in developing/post-crisis settings;
• Good sense of humour, personable and demonstrated ability to build networks;
• Entrepreneurial spirit; ;

Languages

• Fluency (spoken and written) in English is required; other relevant language skills such as French or Spanish will be considered a strong advantage

Working Conditions

• MAGENTA has a flexible working policy which promotes periods of remote working in the year
• May involve working in areas that are remote and lack basic modern infrastructure

MAGENTA is committed to creating a diverse work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

How to apply

Apply before 20 March 2023. Applicants should submit a two-page CV and letter of motivation here. The letter of motivation should describe why the applicant wants to join the MAGENTA team, with a specific example of how their experience and skills can enhance MAGENTA’s work.