- Short term opportunity for Qualitative Field Researcher with the Pacific RISE program
- Duration of contract – up to 12 input days over an initial 3-month period
- Tonga
The Program
The Pacific Readiness for Investment in Social Enterprise (Pacific RISE) facility is a pilot program funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), with a total value of $9.70 million over five years (first phase: $5.95 million 2016–2019; second phase: $3.75 million 2019–2021).
The goal is to attract at least $10 million of new private investment capital into the Pacific by July 2021 and promote greater investment into social enterprises that deliver women’s economic empowerment. Pacific RISE is also expected to demonstrate a contribution towards four long-term objectives:
- to create and strengthen relationships between Pacific social enterprises and impact investors
- to increase long-term investment in Pacific businesses by private investors, including investors that understand the value of investing in women’s businesses
- to increase social outcomes and growth of Pacific social enterprises by securing investment
- to improve economic outcomes for women in the Pacific by improving the capacity for gender lens investing, creating income earning opportunities and/or improving services.
Pacific RISE was designed to use small grants to work with investment intermediaries to build investment readiness and facilitate investments into social enterprises in the Pacific.
The Position
The Researcher will be the primary point of contact working with the Pacific RISE Learning Program Manager to undertake the research in Tonga.
The Researcher will be responsible for implementing the research on the ground in Tonga, including:
- Reviewing, revising and translating research questions.
- Set up a local logistics plan, including travel to locations, and scheduling meetings to be held.
- Working with Good Return and Pacific RISE (and local partners as is necessary) to set up local meetings and logistics with vanilla farmers receiving loans, and with other stakeholders.
- Arranging and booking all local travel arrangements in accordance with Coffey requirements and in line with Tongan domestic travel directives.
- Conducting interviews appropriately and sensitively with identified stakeholders (which may include vanilla farming households, private company, TDB and TCCI). Translating all data collected from interviews into English and inputting them correctly into data entry templates provided by Pacific RISE. Researcher along with Pacific RISE will ensure accuracy and comprehensibility of the data. If needed, all follow-up calls conducted by the Researcher in case of any discrepancies in the data.
- Providing Pacific RISE with any other additional information or observations from the interviews where needed.
- Provide any additional inputs as required by the research and/or requested by Pacific RISE.
Pacific RISE will provide access to all program documentation relevant to the research. Pacific RISE will provide a research plan detailing the scope of the research, main research questions, interview tools (questionnaires and data entry templates) for each stakeholder, and identification of the interviewees. This plan will be reviewed with the Researcher and amended as required. Pacific RISE will also provide introductions to program staff, partners or other stakeholders as needed to set up and conduct interviews.
The Person
Applicants will need to meet the following selection criteria.
Qualifications
- Tertiary qualification in a related field preferred;
Experience
- 2 years + of experience in conducting field research, particularly qualitative research.
- 2 years + of work experience in a related sector.
- Demonstrated ability to produce high quality reports.
- Fluency in English and Tongan.
Knowledge
- Demonstrated knowledge of agricultural topics, practices and customs in Tonga.
- Understanding of finance, business and commercial agriculture, particularly debt finance (loans).
- Demonstrated ability to breakdown and communicate complex concepts simply with a range of stakeholders in multi-cultural settings.
- Understanding of the cultural and business context in Tonga.
- Awareness of cross-cutting issues such as gender, environment, business culture, and anti-corruption.
Personal Attributes
- Critical thinking, broad evaluation, analytical and research skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively and respond flexibly to changed circumstances and priorities.
- Excellent communication, management, interpersonal and liaison skills and experience working in a cross cultural setting.
The position is classified as Discipline Category B Job Level 1 under the DFAT Adviser Remuneration Framework. To learn more, please visit https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/adviser-remuneration-framework.
Due to ongoing COVID-19 international travel restrictions, this role is intended for Tonga-based applicants only.
How to apply:
How to Apply
To apply for this position or to view a detailed position description, please visit www.coffey.com/careers and search for job number 498506. Please note that applications will only be accepted via the online application process on Coffey Careers.
For any enquiries, please contact IDEV.HRServices@coffey.com and quote the job reference number 498506.
Applications close: 5.00pm (TOT) Thursday, 01 October 2020.
This program is managed by Coffey, a Tetra Tech company, on behalf of the Australian Government.
Coffey is an equal opportunity employer of choice and is committed to child protection.