Vacancy Announcement form ChildsafeNet NGO: Research Assistant
Research Assistants
Number of Vacancies: 2
Duty Station: Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, Nepal (with up to 40% field visits)
Duration: One Year (including a three-month probation period)
Working Hours: Full Time
Application Closing Date: 3 November 2021
Background
ChildSafeNet is a non-profit non-governmental organization, established with a mission to make digital technology safer for children and young people. ChildSafeNet works with children, young people, parents, schools, colleges, government, the media, the private sector, NGOs and international organizations. We work to raise awareness on safer use of the internet and digital devices to protect children and young people from internet addiction, online sexual abuse and exploitation, cyber-bullying, phishing, gaming addiction and to promote digital literacy.
ChildSafeNet is conducting a nationwide research on Online Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against Teens and Young People in Nepal, with a grant from Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Knowledge for Action to End Violence against Women and Violence against Children Research Grant.
Research on Online Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against Teens and Young People
The internet use is growing exponentially in Nepal and online forms of IPV are becoming more widespread and prominent. Knowledgebase on online risks and internet safety among Nepali children and young people is very low. In Nepal, a few research studies on offline IPV have been conducted in the past. However, there is a very limited knowledgebase on IPV experienced by teens and young people through the use of digital technology. The existing literature and research to date is pre-dominantly focused on married couples/adult partners living together, which often only cover the traditional and offline understandings of IPV. The increasing surge in internet use have opened ways in which the facilitation of digital technology plays a huge role in aggravating abuse, violence, and increasing one’s susceptibility to IPV.
Digital technologies, in this context, have been found to be used by teens and young people, not only for communicating and initiating new romantic relationships, but also for exerting abuse and control over partners as relationships progresses. Exploring the continuum of abuse, existing literature seems to indicate that technology-assisted intimate partner violence and abuse does not happen in isolation, rather such behaviour is experienced or perpetrated both in person and/or through digital means. Therefore, it is suggested that there is an increasing use of the technology to perpetrate intimate partner violence and abuse representing a new form of sexual violence to exert control to partners already in a violent relationship.
The main objective of the research is to assess and understand the context, practices and behaviour of teens and young people towards IPV through the use of digital technology and to provide appropriate policy recommendations to the government and other duty-bearers. The research will also use an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool for detection and prevention of online intimate partner violence.
Purpose
Research Assistants are crucial members of the organisation. They will work as the members of the ChildSafeNet research team to conduct research studies. They will collect primary and secondary data, including qualitative and quantitative data and summarise the collected information. They will also assist in data tabulation and analysis.
Description of Duties
- Collect primary and secondary data through quantitative and qualitative methods (including, but not limited to, online/offline survey questionnaires, in-depth interviews, etc)
- Conduct desktop research and analysis, with extensive emphasis on literature reviews
- Assist in the development of research instruments and tools depending on the scope of the research
- Conduct and document Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) using structured, semi-structured and open instruments as required
- Assist the research team in collecting, tabulating and analysing data
- Assist the research team with the preparation of research abstracts and manuscripts
- Maintain accurate record of qualitative and quantitative data collection
- Develop a work plan and meet regularly with the supervisor and the research team to discuss research assignments, progress and challenges
- Participate in trainings, meetings, workshops and seminars/webinars as and when necessary
- Perform other duties as and when assigned by the supervisor
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in social work, sociology, anthropology, or related fields
- At least two years of relevant experience in research, preferably in the field of child rights and child protection issues (e.g., sexual abuse or violence against children, online risks and gender-based violence)
- Knowledge and experience in developing and implementing qualitative and quantitative data collection tools
- Experience in conducting desktop and field research in a methodical manner
- Ability to use statistical and data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS and MAXQDA) is desirable
- Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations in a clear and concise manner
- Experience in writing research reports and/or contributing to drafting research reports is desirable
- Knowledge on children and young people’s online behaviour and risks is desirable
- Knowledge on child rights, child protection and gender-based violence is desirable
- Knowledge on ethical considerations related to research with children and young people, especially on sensitive issues
- Good knowledge of digital technology and use of office computer applications, including working with databases
Personal Attributes
- A strong commitment and interest to the protection of children and young people online
- Willingness to learn and keep abreast of new developments in the field of cyber safety for children and young people
- Ability to think analytically, strategically, critically, and outside the box
- Creativity, flexibility and attention to detail
- Sound planning and organisational skills (including self-management and time-management)
- Excellent timely communication manner – online, telephone and face-to-face
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organisational boundaries
- Ability to take own initiatives but also to work as a part of a team in a multicultural environment
- Ability to prepare plan, set priorities and implement activities in a timely manner
- Ability to multi-task and meet tight deadlines
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of work-related information
- Sensitivity to gender, ethnicity and children and young people in difficult circumstances
Salary and Benefits
Rs. 25,000 – 40,000 according to the skills and experience plus benefits as per the organisational rules.
Equal Opportunity
ChildSafeNet is an equal opportunity organisation, and the vacancy is open for all, regardless of their gender, ethnicity and socio-economic backgrounds.
Child Safeguarding
The post-holder’s work may include direct contact with children and young people, face-to-face or online. ChildSafeNet is committed to the protection of children and young people from abuse and exploitation. In order to ensure children and young people are safe, our selection process includes rigorous background checks of the short-listed applicants.
Application Process
Interested applicants are requested to apply with a statement on how they can contribute to this role, a curriculum vitae, two recently published articles/reports and a recent photograph to info@childsafenet.org, by 3 November 2021, with “Research Assistant” as the subject, indicating expected start date and salary expectation. Employment is conditional upon receipt of two references and a successful background check.
