Research Associate

II. Organizational and Position Information

Aahung is a non-profit organization founded in 1994. Aahung uses a rights-based approach to improve the quality of sexual and reproductive health services provided in Pakistan to men, women and young people.

Aahung works with partner institutions with the aim of building the capacity and knowledge base of service providers comprised of doctors, nurses, government health workers, community and field workers, teachers and parents.

Research Associate Role

This is contractual position, from March 2025 to September 2027 (subject to change) with a fixed monthly payment without additional benefits. The Research Associate will be expected to perform the tasks outlined below, and keep regular working hours.

III. Essential Functions / Key Responsibilities and Duties/Results Expected

Detail of key functions

Research, Monitoring, & Evaluation

• Conduct relevant activities for all on-going research studies, including fieldwork for primary data collection
• Conduct both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis for on-going research studies
• Develop research proposals and protocols for IRB approval
• Develop research manuscripts, abstracts, and briefs for submission to journals and conferences
• Support executive team in programme conceptualization, logical framework analysis
• Provide grant writing support to RLE and component managers by conducting literature reviews, developing indicators and preparing drafts of grant proposals
• Facilitate all components in the development of quantitative and qualitative tools for collecting data for needs assessments, baseline studies and output and impact level evaluations studies
• Support RLE team in any monitoring and evaluation tasks, including field visits
• Support RLE team in any reporting activities, including developing reports and research dissemination activities
• Participate and represent the organization in events and meetings as directed

· Demonstrates commitment to SRHR and Aahung's mission, vision and values.

· Experience and understanding of sexual and reproductive health and sexuality issues

· Experience and understanding of adolescent sexual and reproductive health and sexuality issues

· Experience and understanding of human rights, reproductive rights and sexual rights

· Familiarity with concepts such as empowerment, stigma, discrimination, non-judgmentalism, gender, and social justice

· Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

· Familiarity with reproductive health indicators and situation in Pakistan

· Familiarity with relevant international documents such as the MDGs, ICPD, the Beijing Conference, etc., and Pakistan's commitments to them

· Demonstrable commitment to working with empowerment of sexually marginalized groups (gay, lesbian, transgender, transgender, HIV positive, etc.)

· Respect for confidentiality and ability to adhere to confidentiality policies

V. Recruitment Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences/or related fields, with academic or professional background in research

Experience: 2 years of experience of conducting research activities, including fieldwork for qualitative research, and writing reports and publishing materials.

Experience with conducting quantitative and qualitative data analysis and with data analysis software (e.g. Stata or RStudio, and NVivo or Atlas.ai).

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Urdu (writing, reading and speaking)

Skills 1. Knowledge of research theories and methods and creativity in their application

2. Familiarity with designing research studies and developing data collection tools

3. Experience with IRB review process and publishing research findings

4. Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative data collection

5. Strong data management and analytical background for both quantitative and qualitative data

6. Strong documentation and record keeping skills

VI. Working Conditions

Flexibility to travel locally and internationally, comfort with field work.

VII. How to apply

Candidates to send their CV and up to two relevant writing samples to jobs.aahung@gmail.com