Research Assistant

Organization: Hope Foundation for Women and Children of Bangladesh

Duty Station: Hope Field Hospital, Cox’s Bazar (with regular field visits to camps and host communities)

Employment Type: Full-time, Project-Based

Reports To: Senior Manager/Program Researcher

Position Overview

The Research Assistant will support implementation of research activities under the NCD–Mental Health project at Hope Field Hospital. The position involves assisting with data collection, data entry, data quality assurance, coordination with facility and community teams, and providing logistical and administrative support for research activities. The Research Assistant will work closely with the Program Researcher and clinical teams to ensure accurate, ethical, and timely research implementation.

Key Responsibilities

Data Collection & Field Implementation

• Conduct interviews, surveys, and assessments with patients and community participants
• Assist in organizing and mobilizing study participants
• Support qualitative data collection (FGDs/IDIs) under supervision
• Ensure confidentiality, informed consent, and ethical conduct throughout research activities
• Maintain safe, respectful, gender-sensitive interaction with participants

Data Entry & Management

• Enter data into digital or paper-based systems accurately and on time
• Check for inconsistencies or missing information and resolve with field teams
• Maintain secure filing of questionnaires, consent forms, and datasets
• Assist with data cleaning and validation

Support to Research Operations

• Assist in pretesting research instruments and revising tools
• Help in scheduling interviews, field visits, and research meetings
• Maintain inventory of research materials and supplies
• Provide administrative and logistical support to the research team

Coordination & Communication

• Liaise with hospital departments, outreach teams, and community volunteers
• Support communication between research team and clinical staff
• Assist in organizing training, workshops, or meetings related to research

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain daily fieldwork records and activity logs
• Assist in preparing brief reports, meeting minutes, and documentation
• Support preparation of case stories and field notes

Compliance & Safeguarding

• Follow all research ethics, institutional guidelines, and data protection policies
• Adhere to humanitarian principles and patient safeguarding standards
• Immediately report any adverse event or safeguarding concern to supervisors

• 1 to 2 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO, Hospital

• Bachelor of Social Science (BSS)
• Bachelor of Public Health
• Masters

• Age At most 40 years

Required Experience

• Minimum 1–2 years of experience in public health or social science research
• Experience in data collection in health facilities or community settings
• Familiarity with NCDs and/or Mental Health programs (preferred)
• Experience working in humanitarian or refugee contexts (added advantage)

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in data collection tools (KOBO, ODK, or paper-based forms)
• Basic skills in Excel/SPSS/Stata for data management
• Comfortable conducting interviews and interacting with patients
• Strong verbal communication skills in Bangla/English; Chittagonian/Rohingya preferred

Core Competencies

• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Respectful and empathetic engagement with vulnerable populations
• Ability to work in teams and follow supervision
• Willingness to travel and work in camp environments
• Strong organizational and time-management skills

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accuracy and completeness of collected and entered data
• Timeliness of data submission and reporting
• Adherence to ethical and confidentialitystandards
• Effective coordination with clinical and field teams