Call for Applications: Research and Project Associate (PARTICIPATE)

Terms of Reference

Position Title: Research and Project Associate (PARTICIPATE)

Contract Duration: The successful candidate will initially be contracted for three months, and is subject to renewal until the end of the project in July 2023.

I. Brief Description

The Ateneo School of Government is the public policy academic arm of the Ateneo de Manila University. Its long-term mission is to teach and work with effective and ethical public servants to build prosperous, sustainable, just, and happy communities in the Philippines, empowered by democratic, participatory, transparent, and accountable governance institutions and processes. Through its research and extension programs, and its work with public, private and civil society organizations, ASOG aims to develop and foster innovative ideas and approaches in order to change mindsets and systems in such areas as leadership, poverty eradication, climate change, social accountability, and politics.

Political Participation for Greater Electoral Integrity, otherwise known as PARTICIPATE, is a three-year program implemented by ASOG in partnership with the La Salle Institute of Governance (LSIG), National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), and Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS). PARTICIPATE aims to increase and enhance non-partisan political participation by the citizenry and civil society organizations in government-administered national and local electoral processes as an essential element of true democratic governance. It advances political participation in elections through three interrelated objectives:

1) bolster citizen oversight of electoral processes, 2) increase the availability and accessibility of information to promote informed voting, and 3) support constituency-building for electoral reforms.

II. Scope of Work

The Research and Project Associate is expected to provide overall research, technical, and operational support in line with the research agenda set by project and the Ateneo Policy Center.

In particular, the Research and Project Associate is expected to:

1. Provide research and technical inputs to the Chief of Party, the Project Management Team, and the Ateneo Policy Center in the development of research outputs such as working papers, policy briefs, presentations, journal articles, and other research outputs, specifically by conducting reviews and analyses of literature, development of research instruments, data gathering, data analysis, and write ups;
2. Handle the planning and organizing of primary data-gathering efforts for the project, which may include informant interviews, surveys, FGDs, and secondary data;
3. Provide assistance to the Chief of Party, the Project Management Team, and the Ateneo Policy Center in ensuring the uptake of evidence-based research outputs generated by the project;
4. Contribute and assist to the planning and organizing of academic and policy outreach events organized by the Project Management Team and the Ateneo Policy Center, which may include but are not limited to webinars, conferences, seminars, and research colloquia;
5. Manage and support the continuous development and maintenance of databases (e.g. database of partners, conferences, experts) for the expansion of networks;
6. Attend all meetings, events, and functions as deemed necessary by the Project Management Team and the Ateneo Policy Center; and
7. Perform any other tasks relevant to the project as directed by the Project Management Team.

III. Qualifications

The qualifications for the Research and Project Associate position are as follows:

1. Advanced university degree (Masters, ABD, PhD) in economics, public policy and development, statistics, political science, or other related fields; ongoing completion of an advanced degree may be considered with respect to other criteria;
2. Must possess at least 3 years of experience related to research and project management;
3. Experience and knowledge on quantitative and qualitative research skills is required;
4. Knowledge on statistical and research tools such as Excel, STATA, Tableau, and NVIVO;
5. Must possess strong analytical skills and appreciation of development;
6. Self-management, as evidenced by the ability to deliver outputs efficiently, independently and with minimum supervision;
7. Excellent communication skills, oral and written;
8. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, with keen attention to detail and the ability to work in a team; and
9. Adept in using Microsoft Office as well as other web and computer applications. 

IV. Application Requirements

All interested applicants must submit the following:

1. An Application Letter addressed to Dr. Ronald U. Mendoza, Acting Dean of the Ateneo School of Government
2. Curriculum Vitae

Please submit the required documents via email to policycenter.asog@ateneo.edu and use “[SURNAME] –Research and Project Associate” as email subject. Deadline for the submission of application is on 15 August 2022.