Junior Researcher

Junior Researcher

Directorate: Research and Innovation Directorate
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Employment Type: Full-Time
Number of Positions: One
Duration: One year, with possibility of extension subject to performance, organizational need and availability of funds
Reports To: Research and Innovation Directorate
Salary: In accordance with the AfC-ECD salary scale and applicable employment conditions
Application Deadline:

About the African Center for Early Childhood Development

The African Center for Early Childhood Development (AfC-ECD), established under Regulation No. 177/2024, is dedicated to advancing comprehensive, integrated and multisectoral Early Childhood Development (ECD) policies, systems and programs.

The Center works to strengthen government-led systems and promote equitable access to quality ECD services by generating and using evidence, supporting policy development, promoting innovation, strengthening the ECD workforce, and advancing standards and quality assurance.

AfC-ECD's major areas of work include:

• Integrated Knowledge Hub;
• Research and Innovation;
• Workforce Development; and
• Standards and Quality Assurance.

The Research and Innovation Directorate is responsible for conducting and supporting research and evidence generation on Early Childhood Development; undertaking studies and assessments; generating policy ideas and evidence-based recommendations; supporting research partnerships; and disseminating knowledge and research findings to relevant stakeholders at national, continental and global levels.

The Directorate also works with universities, research institutions, government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen the evidence base for ECD policies, programs and practices.

To support these activities, AfC-ECD invites applications from qualified, motivated and research-oriented professionals for the position of Junior Researcher.

Position Summary

The Junior Researcher will support the Research and Innovation Directorate in planning, implementing, analyzing, documenting and disseminating research and evidence-generation activities related to Early Childhood Development.

The successful candidate will contribute to ECD baseline surveys, assessments, desk reviews, stakeholder consultations, policy research, data analysis, research publications, knowledge products and dissemination activities.

The Junior Researcher will work under the guidance of the Research Coordinator and collaborate with other AfC-ECD staff, universities, research institutions, government stakeholders and development partners.

Key Responsibilities

The Junior Researcher will be responsible for, among others, the following:

Research and Data Collection

• Support the implementation of ECD baseline surveys, assessments and other research activities in selected regions and city administrations.
• Support ongoing and planned research and periodic surveys related to ECD initiatives.
• Conduct literature reviews and desk research on Early Childhood Development and related areas.
• Assist in developing research questions, questionnaires, interview guides and other data collection tools.
• Participate in data collection, key informant interviews, stakeholder consultations and field research activities.
• Support data cleaning, organization, documentation and analysis.
• Assist in interpreting research findings and identifying key findings, evidence gaps and policy implications.
• Support developmental milestone assessments and other ECD-related assessments as assigned.

Research Writing and Publications

• Contribute to the preparation of research reports, technical reports, research papers and manuscripts.
• Support the preparation and development of the AfC-ECD Journal and other Center publications.
• Assist in preparing manuscripts for submission to relevant academic and professional journals.
• Prepare literature reviews, research summaries and evidence syntheses.
• Assist in editing and proofreading research documents and publications.

Policy and Knowledge Products

• Support the preparation of policy briefs, research summaries, presentations and slide decks.
• Assist in translating research findings into practical policy and program recommendations.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the AfC-ECD research repository and knowledge hub.
• Support documentation and dissemination of ECD evidence, promising practices and lessons learned.

Stakeholder Engagement and Dissemination

• Support the organization and implementation of research consultations, workshops, forums and dissemination events.
• Participate in stakeholder consultation meetings and document key findings and recommendations.
• Assist in preparing reports from research dissemination events and forums.
• Support communication and coordination with universities, research institutions, government institutions and other partners.
• Assist the Research Coordinator in maintaining effective research partnerships.

Reporting and Coordination

• Prepare periodic updates and reports on assigned research activities.
• Contribute to daily, monthly, quarterly, biannual and annual reports of the Research and Innovation Directorate.
• Maintain appropriate records and documentation of research activities.
• Work collaboratively with other AfC-ECD directorates and staff.
• Perform other research-related duties assigned by the supervisor.