Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a U.S. non-profit organization dedicated to creating, evaluating, and replicating innovative solutions to poverty and policy problems worldwide. IPA specializes in using randomized impact evaluation to assess the effectiveness of development programs.

Job Summary

IPA is seeking Interviewers/Moderators and Transcriptionists/Translators to hire on a temporary one-month contract starting in approximately mid-August and extending through approximately mid-September. Interviewers/Moderators will conduct in-depth interviews and moderate focus group discussions; Translators/Transcriptionists will translate into English and transcribe audio recordings of the in-depth interviews and focus group discussions for the Communication for Development (C4D) Initiative. The research project will collect data from community members, health workers and C4D implementing partner staff in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions to measure the health impacts of the C4D intervention activities on practice of five key health behaviors (sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net; home treatment of diarrhea using oral rehydration salts; hand washing with soap; exclusive breastfeeding; and delivering with a skilled birth attendant). The interviewer/moderator position will require extensive travel within and across the three northern regions. The translator/transcriptionist position will be based in Tamale and will not require travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Interviewers/Moderators/Translators/Transcriptionists will work closely with both international and local researchers and other field staff to perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to:

Data Collection

•   Work with community leaders to identify and recruit focus group discussion participants from local communities
•   Screen participants for eligibility and ensure informed consent process is thoroughly conducted for all participants
•   Conduct in-depth interviews with health workers and C4D implementing partner staff
•   Direct FGD discussions
•   Draw participants out and encouraging people to speak during the discussion
•   Moderate dominant or inappropriate participants without disrupting the group
•   Take minimal notes during interviews
•   Handle environmental conditions, and respond to unexpected interruptions
•   Record the discussion
•   Follow-up on comments made by respondents that need clarification
•   Make the group of participants feel comfortable and safe
•   Have a good understanding of the subject matter for discussion
•   Assist in organizing the focus group discussion, i.e. logistics planning, identify locations, advance contact with participants etc.
•   Debrief with team after interviews or focus group sessions
•   Provide suggestions for improving interview guides and interviewing techniques.

Data Translation/Transcription

•   Listening to original recording material in local language/English and type out focus group discussion and in-depth Interview texts in English to ensure that translations from the local language retain the content, meaning of the original material
•   Check translations of technical and/or medical terms from local language terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions into English language
•   Proofreading to correct spelling mistakes in English
•   Accurately relay style or tone so that meaning remains the same when translating or interpreting from local language to English language
•   Adhering to strict deadlines when dealing with translating written material
•   Protecting the confidentiality of materials as required.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   A diploma or University degree in Social Sciences, Ghanaian language or English language is an advantage
•   Strong oral and written communications skills in English is required
•   Strong oral proficiency and basic grammatical knowledge of Frafra, Dagbani and/or Dagaare is required
•   Knowledge of multiple or additional languages used in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions is an advantage
•   Ability to understand and grasp various expressions, idioms and specific vocabulary and their uses
•   Good listening skills and a high level of attention to detail
•   Able to refrain from making comments or suggestions that will bias interviews/focus group discussions (interviewers/moderators only)
•   Previous experience conducting interviews or moderating focus groups (interviewers/moderators only) preferred
•   Previous experience working with poor communities and women (interviewers/moderators only) preferred
•   Willingness to work evenings if needed, and to travel to sites if required (interviewers/moderators only)
•   Computer literacy with proficiency in MS Word and excellent typing skills is required (translators/transcriptionists only);
•   Experience in transcription (at least one year) is preferred (translators/transcriptionists only).

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Please submit your complete CV and cover letter by email to jobs-ghana@poverty-action.org copying sgardiner@poverty-action.org, using the subject line: IPA Ghana C4D Interviewer/Transcriptionist:  Firstname Lastname, no later than August 2, 2013. All documents should be submitted as attachments, and the file names should include the name of the applicant.

•   The documents may be submitted in Word document or PDF format.  Applicants should include a list of the languages in which they are proficient in the body of the email, as well as indicating if they have a strong preference for either the interviewer/moderator or the translator/transcriptionist role.
•   Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted by email or phone.

Closing Date: 02 August, 2013