Vacancy Announcement form Non-Profit organization : Senior Research officer
Senior Research Officer
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 organisation, 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 organisations. 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
The Senior Research Officer, a crucial member of the organisation, will work as a senior member of the ChildSafeNet research team. The Senior Research Officer will develop research designs and plans; supervise, coach and manage the research team; coordinate collection of primary and secondary data; analyse collected data; and write research reports.
Description of Duties
- Develop research designs
- Develop research instruments
- Lead and ensure timely collection of secondary data, including through literature review
- Lead and ensure Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) are conducting in timely manner, using structured, semi-structured and open instruments in the field
- Coordinate collection of quantitative data through online and offline surveys, including through field visits
- Supervise research assistants in collecting, tabulating and analysing data
- Prepare manuscripts and draft research reports
- Maintain accurate record of qualitative and quantitative data collection
- Develop a work plan and monitor progress against plans
- Regularly meet the supervisor & the research team to discuss the plans, progress and challenges
- Conduct and participate in trainings, meetings, workshops and seminars as necessary
- Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor
Qualifications and Experience
- Master’s degree, preferably in social work, sociology or anthropology
- Five years of experience in conducting research, with at least two years of experience in the field of child rights and child protection issues (e.g., sexual abuse or violence against children, online risks and gender-based violence)
- Excellent knowledge and experience on the use of qualitative and quantitative data collection tools
- Experience in coordinating desktop and field research in a methodical manner
- Ability to use statistical and data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS and MAXQDA)
- Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style
- Proven track records in writing research reports
- Good knowledge on children and young people’s online behaviour and risks, desirable
- Good knowledge on child rights, child protection and gender-based violence
- Excellent knowledge on ethical considerations for research with children and young people on sensitive issues
- Knowledge of digital technology and use of computer applications
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. 60,000 – 100,000 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 submit their application 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 “Senior Research Officer” as the subject, indicating expected start date and salary expectation. The successful candidate MUST be available to commence work within two weeks of receiving the job offer. Employment is conditional upon receipt of two references and a successful background check.
