University of Oxford Research Assistant

Giulia Wegner, a PhD candidate at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit of the University of Oxford, is recruiting a volunteer with a background in linguistics and political sciences to join her research team in data processing activities for a research project on “Democratic representation and deliberative participation in Community-based Natural Resources Management – Do they lead to improved conservation and development outcomes? Field experiments from Tanzania”.

IMPORTANT: Only candidates who fulfill the following requirements will be considered for this post. Candidates who do not fulfill these requirements are discouraged from applying:

-       A relevant educational background (as indicated below) and/or work experience

-       Fluent in reading and writing in English

-       Able to translate from Swahili into English in an accurate and grammatically correct manner

-       Able to type at moderate/fast speed

-       Able to work full-time (Monday-Friday) at the project's office in Dar es Salaam, for the whole length of the contract

NOTE: Only candidates who follow the application guidelines carefully will considered. Only candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.

1. Background

The research project is investigating the relationship between democratic governance, socio-economic impacts and conservation outcomes in Community-based Natural Resources Management (CB-NRM). The project will assess whether the deliberative (i.e., discussion-based) participation of local stakeholder groups in the decision-making process is correlated with the improved quality, equity and legitimacy of decisions for the local management of natural resources. This relationshipwill be assessed through a field experiment design consisting of a series of focus group discussions and survey questionnaires.  

2.      Main duties and responsibilities

Under overall supervision of the PC, the RAs will undertake the following tasks:

-       Transcribe, translate (from Swahili into English) and code video-recorded data

-       Process and store survey questionnaire data

The RA will be trained by the PC in the following

-       transcription of video-recorded data

-       translation of video-recorded data

-       coding of video-recorded data

-       screening of paper questionnaires

-       entering of survey questionnaire data into a database

The RAs will also collaborate with the PC at the following logistic tasks throughout the employment period:

-       Maintenance of IT and stationary equipment

3.      Qualifications

The applicant will be expected to be endowed with the following qualifications and skills:

1. Education:BSc degree in one of the following subject areas: Swahili-English linguistics (with translation, or literature, or education); Political sciences and/or philosophy; Anthropology; Public administration; Environmental policy; Community development; Natural resources management; Development studies; Environmental economics; Social sciences. The candidate should have either completed his/her degree, or should be about to complete it.
2. Language:Swahili mother-tongue and excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

3.      IT:Computer literate, with knowledge of MS Windows, Word and Excel; able to type at moderate/fast speed. 

1. Working experience:Some professional experience in transcription and Swahili-English translation is preferred.
2. Transferable skills: Strong work ethics, excellent team-working and organisational skills, dependability and personal effectiveness, and a strong desire to learn. 
3. Other:Interested in the topics and goals of the research project.

4.      Location

The project will be carried out at WWF-TCO in Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

5.      Period of employment

The post will be carried out for a period of 2-3 months in February-April 2013.

6.      Salary

The RA will be employed on a full-time semi-voluntary basis. The monthly salary will range betweenTsh 450,000 and 750,000 depending on what specific tasks the candidate will be able to undertake, and the candidates’ previous working experience.

7.      National insurance

In case of sickness or injury, the RA will receive a contribution towards his/her medical expenses of up to 60% of his/her average daily earnings under this contract, for up to two weeks from the date of the accident/disease

Application Instructions:

The application should include:

-A one page cover letter indicating why the applicant is interested in the advertised position, and why he/she is likely to make a valuable contribution to the project. The cover letter should be sent as an attachment (rather than copied in the text of the e-mail). 

IMPORTANT: Candidates who do not send a cover letter will not be considered. 

-A complete Curriculum Vitae

-An academic transcript

-Contact details: postal address, e-mail address and phone number

-The contact details of two referees, possibly one from an academic tutor and one from a current/previous employer

Suitably qualified candidates are invited to forward their application as soon as possible to giulia_wegner@yahoo.com

The e-mail title should quote: Application for RA position, CB-NRM research project.

For further information please contact Giulia Wegner at Email Link above; Tel: +255 (0)689717085 

Area: Dar Es Salaam
Application Deadline: Feb 11, 2013
Start Date: Feb 18, 2013