Division: BBC Media Action
Reports to (title): Senior Research Officer
Grade: 6
Location base: Kathmandu with possibility of travel to field locations
Contract: One Year with possibility of extension subject to funding
Organisation structure: The Research Officer (Quantitative) will report to the Senior Research Officer.

Job responsibilities and accountability

Context

BBC Media Action uses media and communication to reach millions of people through creative communication and trusted media, helping people have their say, understand their rights, responsibilities, and take action to transform their own lives.​​​ We work across a range of thematic areas including health, governance and rights, resilience and humanitarian response and we partner with civil society, local media and governments to deliver our work. We have been working in Nepal since 2007 addressing a range of development issues including climate change adaptation, governance, health and humanitarian response.

BBC Media Action Nepal is seeking a Research Officer to support the research team for the BRIDGES: Building climate resilience through strengthened communication across the WCIS system project. This project focuses on enhancing climate resilience through improved communication across the Weather and Climate Information Services (WCIS) system. It aims to strengthen communication, understanding, and trust among stakeholders involved in the WCIS communication pathway, from observation and forecasting to early warning systems and decision-making by end users.  

“The role may involve working with groups of vulnerable children and adults. For the successful candidate, mandatory training will be provided on BBC Media Action’s safeguarding policy and staff code of conduct. BBC Media Action operates a zero-tolerance policy concerning all forms of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people.”

Job Purpose

The Research Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the research team by designing and implementing research activities, with a primary focus on quantitative methods. This role involves developing research tools, analysing data, writing reports, coordinating with the research agencies, and communicating research insights to the relevant stakeholders within and outside of BBC Media Action.

Main Duties

• Develop methodologies and research tools, analyse data, generate insights and prepare reports.
• Ensure that research activities are aligned with project team requirements.
• Regularly synthesise, analyse, and share research findings with project teams.
• Coordinate with and support the research agencies commissioned for different research to ensure quality implementation of the research activities.
• Design and implement research activities as required.
• Contribute to writing research reports for donors, providing clear and comprehensive summaries of research findings and their implications.
• Support line manager and research team to help disseminate the analysis of key findings and the strategic recommendations.
• Support the review of latest trends and developments in research methodologies related to behaviour change, impact assessment and communications research, and evaluating the same for adoption in the Research and Learning work.
• Participate in research and learning workshops and represent BBC Media Action in other knowledge sharing workshops related to our project activities and project partners. Train and share knowledge with the research assistant where appropriate.
• Support reporting requirements in terms of providing analysis and recommendation for quick understanding and decision making. This includes designing ways of reporting figures in an effective and strategic way.
• Understand and comply with the Safeguarding policy and the staff Code of Conduct.
• Participate in relevant mandatory training including Safeguarding and Respect at Work.
• Report any Safeguarding concerns immediately, either to the Country Director, or using the Whistleblowing Policy.
• Support on any other research and learning task as per requirement. 

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Minimum University degree in relevant field of Environmental Science/ Natural Resource Management/ Crisis Management Studies/ Climate Change and Development/ Hydrology and Meteorology.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in managing research projects, with a focus on quantitative research related to climate change, disaster, weather systems, environmental issues, or resource management.
• Experience using quantitative research methodologies and experience with data analysis software packages such as SPSS.
• Strong computer skills, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Nepali and English.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills, communicating complex technical ideas using non-technical language to a wide range of audiences from journalists, production staff and development practitioners.
• Ability to plan and conduct work with minimal supervision.
• Track record of delivering research findings to deadline.