Volunteer Job Pack. Contents: Job ID

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1 Volunteer Job Pack Job Title IVE-Researcher Job ID Country Nepal Employer VSO Nepal Duration 5 months Job purpose Working closely with VSO Nepal s Monitoring, Evaluation and Communications Manager, the main purpose of this placement is to design and implement a strengths-based, participatory situation analysis to understand the development priorities of two districts (with special references to women/girls and youth). He/She is responsible for plan the assessment, design approach, methodology and tools, train national volunteers-researchers, monitor and supervise study, manage and analyse data, write and share findings and report. This role requires ability to perform under pressure and also in physically or mentally challenging situations. Contents: 1. Job Description Personal considerations Background and contextual information... 5 Page 1 September 2014 Template

2 1. Job Description Responsibilities Key Performance Indicators Competencies Skills and Knowledge Conduct desk research/literature review to collect background info about the situation of study districts. Research and analyze a wide range of materials on situation analysis of study districts. Plan the district assessment using action research and participatory approaches and strengths-based approaches, design tools, train 4 national volunteersresearchers, monitor and supervise study to ensure quality outcomes and timely delivery. Analyse, validate and synthetize collected data in participatory eays and Draft preliminary and final reports; and present key findings to VSO Nepal s management team A comprehensive, but realistic plan is designed which is consistent with VSO s evidence principles and people first programming approach. Tools and training materials/sessions are developed National Researchers are trained about data collection tools and techniques based on research ethics and protocols and using participatory approaches. Draft and final reports are completed and presented. Social research skills and demonstrated experience in conducting field work and participatory research Leadership, and research teambuilding Builds and actively maintains working relationships that foster teamwork and collaboration with others for the benefit of a common goal. Guides and motivates field staffs to implement research plans Open Minded and Respectful A nonjudgemental approach that values other people and culture. Seeking and Sharing Knowledge Recognition that learning is a two-way and continuous process. Facilitating Positive Change The ability to analyse problems and Essential Minimum of a Masters s degree or above in Social Science, Rural Development, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Development, or related field. Substantial experience in multi-sector participatory social research in both rural and urban settings. Strong research and analytical skills; demonstrated ability to formulate research plan, collect and analyze data and information; knowledge of strengthsbased participatory research tools and methodology especially related to Gender and Social Inclusion (e.g. power analysis) Ability to design both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and tools Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis experience Experience in training/facilitation data collectors/enumerators All applicants must possess strong written and spoken English language skills and have proven ability to perform (plan/supervise) research in other languages/cultures. Commitment to the mission, principles and values of VSO Page 2

3 Responsibilities Key Performance Indicators Competencies develop lasting solutions in line with VSO approaches. Adaptability A flexible approach and the ability to adapt behaviour to different situations. Resilience Physically able and possessing the selfconfidence to work with a variety of situations, diverse people and ambiguity in remote settings and in resource constrained environments. Skills and Knowledge Ability to travel in difficult terrain and live in rustic/basic conditions potentially for several weeks at a time. Ability to walk in hilly terrain for several hours Desirable PHD in social research Experience working in resource limited environment Attention to detail and ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities often within a limited timeframe. Applicants may be required to take a VSO language test as part of the selection process. Responsible to: Country Director and M & E/Comms Manager 2. Personal considerations In addition to the job description, the following information should be used when considering whether a placement is suitable for you. Personal health considerations If you have a significant current or past medical condition and/or you have general concerns about staying healthy as a volunteer, please use this information to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you. All volunteers require medical clearance from a VSO medical adviser before they are able to take up a placement with VSO. Occasionally, VSO may consider that this placement is too great a risk for you in terms of your personal health and you would be advised to consider a different placement. For further guidance about medical assessment and volunteering with a medical condition please see the frequently asked questions on VSO website. Access to medical care and support Health facilities are likely to be more poorly resourced in rural areas in terms of medical expertise, equipment, infrastructure and regular supplies of medication. This placement is primarily based in the VSO Nepal office, Sanepa, Lalitpur where medical services are available locally. Page 3

4 There could be several weeks spent travelling/based in rural parts of two districts (Dhading and Baglung). Dhanding district headquarter is 71 kimoleters away from Kathmandu. Good medical facilities are available at the district headquarter but poor at rural areas. Baglung district is in western Nepal, 275 km west of Kathmandu. It is the administrative headquarters of Baglung District and Dhawalagiri Zone. Good medical facilities are available at the district headquarter but poor at rural areas. Pharmacies are numerous in district headquarters. VSO s recommended practitioner in Kathmandu, Nepal International Clinic (NIC) can provide lots of free advice by phone or . Before completing a job application, please seek advice from the VSO International Medical Team if you: have an ongoing medical condition have had a medical condition in the past that might recur take any regular medication (other than contraception) If you wish to discuss your personal circumstances or health concerns in confidence with VSO s medical team before you apply for this placement please contact medical@vsoint.org. Accompanying partner or family: If you have a partner or children who are planning to accompany you to your placement, please use this section to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you. Kathmandu is suitable for accompanying partner but the volunteer will have to cover the costs. Motorcycle requirements Not applicable most travel will be by air, 4x4 vehicle, public transport or walking. The volunteer may also use a bicycle if available/preferred. Volunteers are able to travel pillion on motorbikes with trusted drivers but only with a full helmet (which will be provided by the office). Security information Aftershocks may still occur and volunteers will receive information about how to act in case of earthquake. You should also be alert to the condition of buildings you are passing or near as many buildings suffered structural damage that makes them unsafe it is best to avoid them if you are unsure. Landslides are likely, particularly in the monsoon season (June to October) and volunteers will need to check with VSO before travelling outside Kathmandu. After a disaster there are often increased risks of theft, robbery and personal assault. Given the focus of this placement, it is important that the volunteer takes the following risks very seriously and commits to follow VSO protocols at all times: Civil Unrest There is likely to be sporadic unrest across the country and in particular after promulgation of New Constitution ; Road accidents The most likely form of serious incident a volunteer will face as vehicles are old and not well maintained and driven recklessly; Page 4

5 Sexual harassment and assault Although many believe that some level of harassment is an avoidable fact of life in Nepal, it is certainly necessary to follow some simple techniques to reduce the risk as much as possible; Disease It is your responsibility to ensure you take appropriate preventative care: sleeping under nets, using repellent, taking prophylactic drugs or treating drinking water; Theft, robbery and personal assault You are responsible for ensuring your own security. The most common type is by stealth pick-pocketing or grabbing bags rather than with violence. Burglary (theft from your house) not that common but incidents have taken place in the area; Natural disasters is very common in Nepal; the most common are floods during the monsoon seasons (June August) and earthquakes. 3. Background and contextual information VSO is a development organization that fights poverty through volunteers and by advocating on behalf of marginalized communities. Out approach brings people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understandings and action to change lives and make the world a fairer place. VSO Nepal has historically worked cross three main sectors: Education, Health and Livelihoods, with Gender; Youth and Social Cohesion as cross-cutting themes. Since the 2015 Earthquake, programming has shifted to two core program areas: Inclusive Education and Inclusive Governance (which includes a critical role supporting National Disaster Recovery Coordination in the Earthquake affected districts) with social cohesion and disaster risk reduction as cross-cutting themes. Women/Girls and Youth are currently our primary target groups. Our work is now scattered across 14 districts some affected by the Earthquake and some were not (but still at significant risk of natural disaster). It is our considered belief that in Nepal a more holistic approach to responding to disadvantaged community needs building on their assets and strengths will lead to transformational change. Woman and Youth are especially vulnerable in rural/isolated parts of Nepal where there are few government services and relatively few and weak civil society organisations. Our historic breadth of programming and the linkages/synergies across these sectors puts us in a good position to look holistically at districts/community priorities and build programming tailored to the gaps. Putting people first! The purpose of this placement is to provide information that will guide more integrated inclusive programming in these two districts which will act as a pilot for future programming. It is anticipated that this social research will work alongside our security/medical risk assessment process. The two districts currently earmarked for this research (Dhading and Baglung) were chosen because both already have a significant amount of VSO work and one is Earthquake affected and one is not and also close enough for relatively easy access. However this choice may change as our thinking progresses and if the researcher has suggestions of what may create a more valid research approach. Further information on VSO s work in each of the countries we work in can be found on the VSO website. Page 5

6 Annex VSO s Evidence Principles 1. Voice and Inclusion - the perspectives of the most excluded and marginalised groups are included in the evidence - we understand the power dynamics assess power, interest and influence levels of interest and importance in each context - data collectors are well prepared and suited to capture the voices of all the people affected by the intervention - primary actors and stakeholders play an active role in the assessment process - the findings are disaggregated according to sex, disability and other relevant social differences - data collected is interpreted thought on-going dialogue with primary actors/ stakeholders 2. Contribution - data is available to show that change has happened - the explanation of how the intervention contributes to change is explored - alternative factors (eg. the contribution of other actors) are explored to explain the observed result alongside an intervention s contribution - unintended and unexpected changes (positive or negative) are identified and explained Our evidence: - Helps learn from failure - Identifies the limits of the research - clearly demonstrates what and how we have contributed to change - illustrates how different approaches to volunteering adds value to change - illustrates how continuous analysis (assumptions, contributions, context) is built into our programmes 3. Methodologies - We ensure that our approaches and designs are ethical and reasonable - We build in continuous and on-going analysis into the methodology - We ensure the methods are appropriate and relevant for the purpose - We test and peer review our methodological approaches - We document and ensure an ethical approach to evidence collection, analysis and use - data is analysed in a systematic way that leads to convincing conclusions - the perspectives of different stakeholders are compared and analysed in establishing if and how change has occurred - conflicting findings and divergent perspectives are presented and explained in the analysis and conclusions 4. Transparency - We commit to report both negatives and positives, intended and unintended outcomes - We always ask consent, respect confidentiality and decisions - We commit to always being clear to participants on how and where data will be used - We state clearly the levels of independence of research - We commit wherever possible to compare our data with other data sources - findings and conclusions of the assessment are shared with, and validated by, a range of key stakeholders (e.g. beneficiaries, partners, peers) Page 6