Term of Reference
RCA Research Associate

I. ACTIVITY BACKGROUND

Reality Check Approach (RCA) is an internationally recognised qualitative research approach. Staying in the homes of study participants for several days and nights, RCA researchers use this opportunity to ‘hang out’ and interact informally. By triangulating the rich perspectives and realities of multiple stakeholders, RCA can help improve policies and the targeting and design of services for the poor and marginalised.
The core of RCA is immersions during which researchers stay several days and nights with people living in poverty to engage with, listen to, observe and document their voices, opinions and experiences. Like other qualitative approaches, this process focuses on asking ‘how’ and ‘why’ rather than ‘what’, ‘when’ and ‘how many’. The idea is to have sustained, detailed conversations and intense interactions with a small number of households in their own homes. Sharing in their lives provides opportunities to better understand and contextualise people’s opinions, experiences and perspectives.
Since 2014 RCA, with the RCA+ project, has worked to build the capacity of Indonesian researchers to design, undertake and communicate high quality RCA studies. It builds on the use of these approaches in Bangladesh, Nepal, Mozambique, and Ghana. The long term objective is to support researchers and research institutions to integrate RCA in mixed method approaches and find ways to ensure findings are included in policy dialogue and deliberations. It will experiment with other complementary methods to enrich the basic RCA process and will link with international experiences of applying RCA in other contexts for mutual learning. The project undertakes commissioned RCA studies thus providing an opportunity for researchers to ‘learn by doing’.

II. Purpose of Role and Responsibility:
RCA Research Associates receives a unique opportunity to learn the RCA approach by being involved in real studies. They will be mentored and supported throughout the entire process which is in line with RCA+’s mandate to provide capacity building initiatives for Indonesian researchers. Contracts will only be provided to those who satisfactorily complete the mandatory level 1 training. The Roles and Responsibility of the research associate are:

a) Satisfactorily complete the mandatory level 1 training

b) For any studies the research associate participants in:

i. Participation in all required briefing sessions

ii. Travel with the researcher’s sub team to the study location and manage the selection of a suitable host household for the period of the study

iii. Use informal conversations and other RCA endorsed approaches to gather insights into the study issues, ensuring careful adherence to ethical practice and the need for careful triangulation of information

iv. Full participation in de-briefings with the sub team leader or team leader

v. Full participation in post field team reflection and sense making sessions

vi. Contribute to team archiving and fulfilment of all responsibilities related to finalization of outputs from the study

vii. Submit all necessary supporting evidence for any payments made.

viii. Provide additional information as required by the team leader

c) Attend ad-hoc training if required.

III. Competencies

A. Technical Competencies

* Bachelor’s degree in development related subject e.g. sociology, anthropology, development studies, development communication, political science, public policy etc)

* Fluent in Bahasa Indonesia required, strong spoken and reading English skills desirable.

* Some experience in qualitative research is preferred.

* Knowledge of social development and poverty as well as knowledge of terminologies of qualitative research will be an advantage

B. Other Qualities and Experiences

* Ability to work independently as well as in a multi-cultural team

* Willingness to work flexible hours during the research

* Willingness to travel potentially long distances and stay in remote and/or challenging locations with minimum facilities during research.

* Able to maintain attention for extended periods of time and to maintain high quality outputs

* Patience, curiosity, and good ‘people skills’

* Good listening and communication skills; proactive

* Willingness to learn new skills and reflect on biases

IV. Duration

The Research Member will be engaged through a Consultant Agreement to work for up to 100 days for the duration of the contract. The expected period of assignment will be June 2017 – May 2018.

V. Training

The Level 1 Training will be held on 22-27th May 2017. Participation is mandatory to become a RCA Research Associate.

Interested? Please submit your CV to info.rca@thepalladiumgroup.com stating the position title on the subject of the email.

Please find the link for more detail http://thepalladiumgroup.com/jobs/Reality-Check-Approach—Research-Associate-VN2746

This position is for Indonesians only. Applications close at 4.00 pm Jakarta time on 10th of May 2017 COB.

Only shortlisted candidate will be contacted