Job ID: 85894
Job Title: Enumerator/Research Assistant/Data Entry Clerk
Organisation: Self Help Africa
Contract Type: Part-time, 24 Month Fixed Term Contract
Location: Dowa – Mponela & Various Districts
Reports to: Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinators

About Self Help Africa :

Established in 1984, Self Help Africa is an international development organisation that works through agriculture and agri-enterprise development to address hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impacts of climate change. We believe that equitable economic development is key to lifting communities out of long-term poverty, empowering them to take control of their futures and improving their quality of life.

In early 2023 we launched a new five-year organisation strategy, which defines shared mission as the alleviation of hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impact of climate change through community-led, market-based and enterprise-focused approaches, so that people can have access to nutritious food, clean water, decent employment and incomes, while sustaining natural resources.

Our wider organisation also includes social enterprise subsidiaries Partner Africa, which provides ethical auditing and consultancy services, and CUMO, Malawi’s largest micro-finance provider.

Our three core values are:
▪ Impact: We are accountable, ambitious and committed to systemic change.
▪ Innovation: We are agile, creative and enterprising in an ever-changing World.
▪ Community: We are inclusive, honest and have integrity in our relationships.

Job purpose:

Reporting to the Project Managers and working closely with Program Managers, the Enumerators/Research Assistants/Data Entry Clerks (henceforth referred to as “job holder”) will be involved in conducting research studies/ surveys as a way of building evidence and understanding the impact of our work. With the foregoing, the organization would like to engage the services of well qualified and experienced individuals to perform this role for various WASH, Clean Energy, Agriculture and Food Systems projects across the country for 2026 and 2027. The intent is to identify a list of suitable candidates who would be called upon and paid on a daily basis when their services are required.

Key Responsibilities:

Duties and responsibilities will vary depending on the assignment/project needs, as will the exact tools and methods you will be asked to implement under the framework contract. Your responsibilities will vary, but are likely to include, but are not limited to:

Data Collection

• Data collection using a household questionnaire using KoboCollect mobile application or similar data collection tools.
• Downloading new forms and submitting completed ones onto the tablets using KoboCollect.
• Data collection using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and any other Participatory Rural Assessment (PRA) tools as provided and requested by the supervisors.
• Preparation of FGD summaries ns.
• Ensure data is correctly filled in the questionnaire and all other tools used.
• Ensure completed/filled data collection tools are complete and submitted to the supervisor as per field guidelines.
• Preparation and submission of field reports to supervisors
• Conduct sensitisation and mobilisation of survey participants.
• Performing any other duties assigned by the research supervisors.

Data Entry

• In consultation with the project, prepare tools for data entry in the appropriate software in consultation with the program/ project’s teams.
• Conduct data verification focusing on completeness and accuracy from the data collection tools/ forms.
• Perform data entry using a prescribed data entry tool.
• Perform preliminary data cleaning by flagging outliers to the supervisor.
• In case of qualitative data, transcribe data from the FGD notes and interview recordings.
• Complete data entry in line with the expected duration required for each task

Key Relationships:

SHA Staff, SHA partners and stakeholders.

Knowledge, Experience and Other Requirements:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, Public Health, Environmental Health, Water Resources Management Business Administration, Communication Studies, Community Development Studies, ICT/ MIS/ Data Management related fields, Social Sciences/ Research related fields or any other qualification relevant to Self Help Africa work. Those with relevant Diplomas and desirable experience shall be considered.
• Proven experience in data collection using surveys and other research methodologies.
• Proven experience in data collection using qualitative and quantitative tools i.e., FGDs, KIIs, and structured questionnaires.
• Previous experience working with SHA will have an added advantage.
• Experience using mobile technologies or online data collection applications such as KoBo Collect.
• Experience in data entry using Excel, Access Database, SPSS, STATA, EPI-Infor etc.
• Must be willing to travel and conduct research in the hard-to-reach areas.
• Experience carrying out surveys for carbon finance projects will be an added advantage.

How to apply:

Full job description here.

Qualified and interested candidates who meet the stated requirements must submit a completed Application Form, along with an up to date Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter here.

The closing date for applications is 23rd December 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Important information: 

Self Help Africa is an international development charity and is committed to the safeguarding of all those who we come into contact with or through our work. We are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour relating to our work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and we are committed to promoting the welfare of children and the people we aim to assist with whom Self Help Africa engages. Self Help Africa expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviours outlined in the Code of Conduct and Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Recruitment to all roles in Self Help Africa will include, and be subject to, a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre- employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checking. Self Help Africa is committed to the principles of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request information from previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms her/his understanding of these recruitment procedures. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Self Help Africa is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.