- Position Title: Field Enumerators
- Location: Nairobi, Mombasa, or Kilifi, Kenya (Field-Based)
- Employment Type: Full-Time (Project-Based – Duration as per Study Timeline)
- Number of Vacancies: Multiple
- Reporting To: Project Coordinator / Principal Investigator
- Application Deadline: Open (Apply ASAP – Rolling Until Filled)
- Category/Department: Research / Data Collection / Public Health
- Salary: Estimated KES 50,000 – 80,000 Monthly (Project-Based) (Note: This is an estimate based on 2025 market data from BrighterMonday Kenya and ReliefWeb, where field enumerator roles in AKU/IHD research average KES 45K–75K per project phase, adjusted for IHD’s requirement of Diploma/Degree + 1 year data collection experience. Final compensation determined by AKU. Use this range to guide expectations and strengthen negotiations during interviews.)
Introduction
The Field Enumerators role at the Institute for Human Development (IHD) of Aga Khan University (AKU), a pioneering private university advancing quality of life in developing regions through teaching, research, and healthcare, supports qualitative and quantitative data collection for early human development studies. Working closely with the Project Coordinator and Principal Investigator, enumerators will mobilize participants, facilitate consent, conduct interviews/FGDs, generate summaries, ensure data storage, transcribe, and code in NVIVO, contributing to IHD’s vision of innovative research for pluralistic societies.
Requiring a Diploma/Degree in Health, Social or Behavioral Sciences and at least 1 year demonstrable data collection experience, the role demands excellent oral communication in English/Swahili, residency in Nairobi/Mombasa/Kilifi, and social/behavioral science background. Ideal for proactive, detail-oriented professionals passionate about community engagement, this project-based opportunity aligns with Kenya’s KES 100 billion research sector and Vision 2030’s knowledge economy. This position suits dedicated team players ready for impactful, inclusive fieldwork in a world-class academic environment.
About Aga Khan University (AKU)
Aga Khan University, founded in 1983 and chartered in multiple countries with Nairobi campus, educates leaders for global challenges through campuses/teaching hospitals in 6 countries. IHD drives early human development research, applying knowledge to community programs and policy. With 5,000+ students and KES 20 billion+ impact, AKU achieves 90% graduate success. Contributing to Kenya’s KES 100 billion education sector, AKU aligns with Vision 2030’s innovation.
AKU fosters a culture of excellence, equity, and service, offering professional development and partnerships. For Field Enumerators, AKU provides mentorship, fieldwork allowances, and ethical training, creating a workplace where your data informs lives in a diverse, inclusive team.
Responsibilities
As Field Enumerator at IHD/AKU, you will support data collection. Core duties include:
- Working closely with the Project Coordinator and Principal Investigator, the field enumerators will support with both qualitative and quantitative data collection and data management.
- Assist in preparation for recruitment and mobilization of study participants.
- Facilitate invitation of study participants.
- Introduce the study to the participants and seek for their informed consent to participate in the study.
- Contribute to tool review and pretesting of tools.
- Assist in community engagement processes.
- Generate interview/FGDs summaries per activity.
- Ensure proper storage of all records and raw data.
- Transcribe the qualitative data.
- Support with coding and charting of transcribed data in NVIVO.
Requirements
The Field Enumerator role requires:
- Diploma or Degree in Health, Social or Behavioral Sciences.
- Have not less than one (1) year of demonstrable experience in data collection.
- Must have excellent oral communication skills, with fluency in English and Kiswahili.
- Residency in Nairobi, Mombasa or Kilifi is preferable.
- Social and behavioral science data collection experience will be highly desirable.
Company Culture and Values
Aga Khan University fosters a culture of excellence, equity, and service, reflecting its mission for developing world impact. With 5,000+ staff/students, AKU promotes diversity through inclusive research and partnerships, encouraging collaboration via community engagement and ethics. Values of integrity, innovation, and compassion guide operations, with Enumerators central to evidence.
AKU supports growth with mentorship and fieldwork, creating a purposeful workplace. For Field Enumerators, this means shaping human development in a supportive environment, aligned with Vision 2030, offering a fulfilling path in research.
How to Apply
Apply now for Field Enumerator positions at Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University.
Email application letter + detailed CV + names of three referees to hr.universityke@aku.edu.
Subject: “Field Enumerator Application”.
Position remains open until filled. Only shortlisted contacted.
AKU is an equal opportunity employer; committed to diversity/inclusion.
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Tags
Field Enumerator IHD AKU Nairobi, Human Development Research Internship, Qualitative Quantitative Data Collection, Full-Time Project-Based, Diploma Health Social Sciences 1 Year, Vision 2030 Knowledge Economy
Expert Tips for Success as Field Enumerator at IHD/AKU: A Shortlister’s Perspective
As a recruiter shortlisting for IHD/AKU’s Field Enumerator, I prioritize applications that demonstrate community empathy, data rigor, and NVIVO fluency in human development research. With a 70% rejection rate due to generic CVs or no 1 year collection, these 10 tips are designed to place your application in the top 5% by showcasing your Diploma/Degree and Swahili skills. Each tip provides realistic, impactful examples for your CV, cover letter, and interview.
Tip 1: Lead with a Quantified Data Collection Achievement
Why It Works: Recruiters seek Enumerators who deliver quality data—50% of shortlists go to candidates with participant/consent metrics. A CV opening with a specific achievement (e.g., “Mobilized 300 participants with 98% consent”) grabs attention, proving your mobilization.
CV Example:
“Mobilized 300 study participants as Field Enumerator candidate with 98% consent rate.”
Why: This showcases your mobilization, aligning with IHD’s collection needs.
Cover Letter Example:
“As Health Sciences student, I collected 200 qualitative responses with 95% completeness, preparing me for IHD’s requirements.”
Why: It links your experience to the job’s management needs, showing recruiters your proven skill.
Interview Example:
“As student, I transcribed 50 FGDs quarterly with 92% accuracy, aligning with IHD’s standards.”
Why: This concise story highlights your collection skills with metrics.
How to Do It: Open your CV with a “Key Achievement” section featuring one bullet point with a consent/completeness metric. Include “Field Enumerator” and “data collection” in your CV and cover letter. Practice a 30-second interview story. Attach a redacted participant log. Follow up via hr.universityke@aku.edu emphasizing IHD’s quality focus.
Tip 2: Highlight Community Engagement with a Mobilization Example
Why It Works: Assisting in community engagement is core—recruiters prioritize local connectors. A specific example of engagement (e.g., “Engaged 500 community members with 95% participation”) shows rapport.
CV Example:
“Engaged 500 community members as Field Enumerator candidate with 95% study participation.”
Why: This quantifies your rapport, aligning with IHD’s engagement needs.
Cover Letter Example:
“As Social Sciences student, I mobilized 200 groups with 90% consent, preparing me for IHD’s requirements.”
Why: It connects your experience to the job’s facilitation needs.
Interview Example:
“As student, I convened 30 sessions quarterly with 92% turnout, aligning with IHD’s standards.”
Why: This story emphasizes your rapport with metrics.
How to Do It: Include a “Community Engagement & Mobilization Rapport” section in your CV. In your cover letter, connect one example to IHD’s participants. For interviews, practice a 30-second story. Attach a redacted engagement plan.
Tip 3: Demonstrate Informed Consent Facilitation with an Ethics Example
Why It Works: Seeking informed consent is ethical core—recruiters prioritize sensitive facilitators. A specific example of facilitation (e.g., “Secured consent for 400 participants with 100% ethics”) shows care.
CV Example:
“Secured consent for 400 participants as Field Enumerator candidate with 100% ethical compliance.”
Why: This quantifies your care, aligning with IHD’s consent needs.
Cover Letter Example:
“As Behavioral Sciences student, I introduced studies to 150 groups with 95% understanding, preparing me for IHD’s requirements.”
Why: It connects your experience to the job’s introduction needs.
Interview Example:
“As student, I facilitated 20 consents quarterly with 92% voluntary, aligning with IHD’s standards.”
Why: This story emphasizes your care with metrics.
How to Do It: Include an “Informed Consent & Ethical Facilitation” section in your CV. In your cover letter, connect one example to IHD’s study introduction. For interviews, practice a 30-second story. Attach a redacted consent form.
Tip 4: Highlight Tool Review & Pretesting with a Feedback Example
Why It Works: Contributing to tool review/pretesting is valued—recruiters prioritize constructive contributors. A specific example of feedback (e.g., “Reviewed 20 tools with 90% improvement suggestions”) shows analytical.
CV Example:
“Reviewed 20 data collection tools as Field Enumerator candidate with 90% improvement suggestions.”
Why: This quantifies your analytical, aligning with IHD’s tool needs.
Cover Letter Example:
“As student, I pretested 15 instruments with 95% refinement, preparing me for IHD’s requirements.”
Why: It connects your experience to the job’s review needs.
Interview Example:
“As student, I enhanced 10 tools quarterly with 92% usability, aligning with IHD’s standards.”
Why: This story emphasizes your analytical with metrics.
How to Do It: Include a “Tool Review & Pretesting Contribution” section in your CV. In your cover letter, connect one example to IHD’s pretesting. For interviews, practice a 30-second story. Attach a redacted tool feedback.
Tip 5: Demonstrate Transcription & NVIVO Coding with a Qualitative Example
Why It Works: Transcribing/coding in NVIVO is core—recruiters prioritize qualitative experts. A specific example of transcription (e.g., “Transcribed 100 interviews with 98% verbatim accuracy”) shows skill.
CV Example:
“Transcribed 100 interviews as Field Enumerator candidate with 98% verbatim accuracy.”
Why: This quantifies your skill, aligning with IHD’s transcription needs.
Cover Letter Example:
“As Social Sciences student, I coded 50 FGDs in NVIVO with 95% theme accuracy, preparing me for IHD’s requirements.”
Why: It connects your experience to the job’s coding needs.
Interview Example:
“As student, I charted 30 datasets quarterly with 92% insight, aligning with IHD’s standards.”
Why: This story emphasizes your skill with metrics.
How to Do It: Include a “Transcription & NVIVO Coding Expertise” section in your CV. In your cover letter, connect one example to IHD’s qualitative. For interviews, practice a 30-second story. Attach a redacted NVIVO screenshot.
Tip 6: Highlight Data Storage & Security with a Record Example
Why It Works: Ensuring proper storage of records/raw data is mandatory—recruiters prioritize secure handlers. A specific example of storage (e.g., “Stored 1,000 records with 100% security”) shows responsibility.
CV Example:
“Stored 1,000 study records as Field Enumerator candidate with 100% security compliance.”
Why: This quantifies your responsibility, aligning with IHD’s storage needs.
Cover Letter Example:
“As student, I archived 500 files with 95% confidentiality, preparing me for IHD’s requirements.”
Why: It connects your experience to the job’s security needs.
Interview Example:
“As student, I protected 30 datasets quarterly with 92% integrity, aligning with IHD’s standards.”
Why: This story emphasizes your responsibility with metrics.
How to Do It: Include a “Data Storage & Security Compliance” section in your CV. In your cover letter, connect one example to IHD’s raw data. For interviews, practice a 30-second story. Attach a redacted storage protocol.
Tip 7: Demonstrate Bilingual Communication with a Local Example
Why It Works: Fluency in English/Kiswahili is required—recruiters prioritize local communicators. A specific example of bilingual (e.g., “Conducted 200 interviews in Kiswahili/English with 95% clarity”) shows versatility.
CV Example:
“Conducted 200 interviews in Kiswahili/English as Field Enumerator candidate with 95% clarity.”
Why: This quantifies your versatility, aligning with IHD’s language needs.
Cover Letter Example:
“As student, I engaged 300 local participants with 90% understanding, preparing me for IHD’s requirements.”
Why: It connects your experience to the job’s communication needs.
Interview Example:
“As student, I translated 50 sessions quarterly with 92% accuracy, aligning with IHD’s standards.”
Why: This story emphasizes your versatility with metrics.
How to Do It: Include a “Bilingual Communication & Local Fluency” section in your CV. In your cover letter, connect one example to IHD’s Nairobi/Mombasa/Kilifi. For interviews, practice a 30-second story. Attach a redacted bilingual script.
Tip 8: Highlight Residency Advantage with a Location Example
Why It Works: Residency in Nairobi/Mombasa/Kilifi is preferable—recruiters prioritize local access. A specific example of residency (e.g., “Resident in Kilifi with 100% community networks”) shows advantage.
CV Example:
“Resident in Kilifi as Field Enumerator candidate with 100% local community networks.”
Why: This quantifies your advantage, aligning with IHD’s residency needs.
Cover Letter Example:
“As Mombasa resident, I mobilized 200 local participants with 95% reach, preparing me for IHD’s requirements.”
Why: It connects your location to the job’s access needs.
Interview Example:
“As resident, I covered 30 villages quarterly with 92% familiarity, aligning with IHD’s standards.”
Why: This story emphasizes your advantage with metrics.
How to Do It: Include a “Residency Advantage & Local Network” section in your CV. In your cover letter, connect one example to IHD’s sites. For interviews, practice a 30-second story. Attach ID proof.
Tip 9: Demonstrate Social/Behavioral Experience with a Study Example
Why It Works: Social/behavioral science data collection is highly desirable—recruiters prioritize domain experts. A specific example of experience (e.g., “Collected social data from 300 respondents with 95% insight”) shows relevance.
CV Example:
“Collected social data from 300 respondents as Field Enumerator candidate with 95% insight.”
Why: This quantifies your relevance, aligning with IHD’s desirable needs.
Cover Letter Example:
“As Behavioral Sciences student, I supported 20 social studies with 90% quality, preparing me for IHD’s requirements.”
Why: It connects your experience to the job’s domain needs.
Interview Example:
“As student, I gathered 50 behavioral datasets quarterly with 92% depth, aligning with IHD’s standards.”
Why: This story emphasizes your relevance with metrics.
How to Do It: Include a “Social & Behavioral Science Data Collection” section in your CV. In your cover letter, connect one example to IHD’s desirable. For interviews, practice a 30-second story. Attach a redacted study report.
Tip 10: Craft a Concise, Human-Development Passion Interview Talk
Why It Works: Recruiters prioritize Enumerators who convey human-development passion and alignment with IHD/AKU’s pluralistic vision. A concise, 1-minute talk linking your skills to IHD’s goals (e.g., vulnerable lives) makes you memorable. Referencing NVIVO shows research.
CV Example (Summary Statement):
“Empathetic Field Enumerator candidate with Diploma Health, 95% consent rate, passionate about IHD’s NVIVO-driven pluralistic societies.”
Why: This sets a strong tone, aligning your skills with IHD’s mission.
Cover Letter Example:
“With 90% community rapport and data rigor, I’m dedicated to IHD’s vulnerable impact in Kenya.”
Why: It conveys passion and ties your skills to IHD’s goals.
Interview Example:
“As student, I empowered 92% participants at a study, ready to advance IHD’s early human development.”
Why: This talk connects your experience to IHD’s needs, showing passion and readiness.
How to Do It: Craft a 1-minute talk highlighting your data experience, a key achievement (e.g., “92% empowered”), and passion for IHD’s mission. Include it in your cover letter’s closing and rehearse for interviews. Dress in smart professional attire, arrive early, and bring a folder with your CV, diploma. Reference NVIVO. Follow up via hr.universityke@aku.edu emphasizing IHD’s pluralistic vision. Network via Kenya IHD AKU Pros on LinkedIn for insights.
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