• Position Title: Research Assistants
• Number of Vacancies: Multiple
• Location: Aldai, Nandi Hills, Emgwen and Tinderet Sub-Counties
• Employment Type: Contract
• Application Deadline: 1 February 2026 @ 5:00PM
• Category/Department: Research / Data Collection
• Salary Expectation: Estimated KSh 40,000–70,000 gross monthly (including allowances/benefits). This estimate is based on credible market comparisons. Actual remuneration is set by the employer and may vary; this is an independent approximation to guide expectations.

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Introduction

Are you a dedicated Research Assistant eager to contribute to child-focused programs in Nandi County? This Research Assistant role at an international NGO offers the opportunity to support vital data collection efforts in Aldai, Nandi Hills, Emgwen, and Tinderet Sub-Counties, helping to advance initiatives in health, education, child protection, and more.

As a Research Assistant, you’ll play a crucial part in gathering accurate information through surveys and interviews, ensuring high-quality data that drives positive change for vulnerable children and communities in Kenya.

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About the Organization

The organization is an international NGO operational in Kenya since 1950, delivering developmental and humanitarian assistance to children nationwide. It focuses on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized children through core areas like child protection, education, health, livelihoods, nutrition, and WASH.

With a vision of a world where every child attains rights to survival, protection, development, and participation, it inspires breakthroughs for immediate and lasting impact. The NGO operates in deprived counties, supporting refugee populations and informal settlements, prioritizing girls, children with disabilities, and pastoralist communities. It employs staff across Kenya and has an annual budget of approximately US$20 million.

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1. Research Assistants (Nandi County – Multiple)

Brief Overview
SCI is looking for suitable candidates to serve as Research Assistants across Aldai, Nandi Hills, Tinderet and Emgwen Sub Counties. The role involves conducting research, surveys, and data collection in designated areas to support child-focused programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research and gather information using assigned methodology.
• Complete surveys, assessments, or research activities in designated areas.
• Coordinate with fellow research assistants to conduct interviews, assigned locations and conduct Assist participant by reading forms aloud and answering any questions they may have.
• Collect and input responses accurately using Questionnaires provided by the program team.
• Ensure all questionnaires are thoroughly reviewed and fully completed questionnaires and any fieldwork equipment to the research supervisor at the end of each day.
• Participate in briefings and contribute to data collection, entry, and transcription as part of such assignment. Any challenges encountered during data collection and provide constructive feedback from field activities.
• Recording to program needs on a project-by-project basis.

Requirements for Appointment / Qualifications

• Diploma/Degree in Social Sciences, Community Health, Public Health, Nutrition, or a related field. Bachelor degree in an added advantage.
• High level of computer literacy including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Must be a resident of Nandi County.
• Issues clearly and concisely.
• Excellent communication skills, fluent in written and spoken English, Kiswahili, and the local language.
• Strong notetaking and facilitation skills.
• Personally for qualitative studies.
• Expected to facilitate access to community values, beliefs, and practices.
• Capable of conducting interviews and accurately recording information using digital
• Committed to Save the Children’s vision, values, and policies.
• A team player with a proactive attitude, able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Physically fit and able to walk long distances.
• Experience in data collection, preferably using tools such as ODK, Commcare, KOBO and smartphones.
• Previous experience in survey work is highly desirable.

Apply for Research Assistants Here

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How to Apply

If you meet the above requirements, please apply in English by submitting the following documents as a single PDF the following documents as a single PDF detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV):

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A copy of your National ID
• Copies of academic certificates and transcripts, including proof of Diploma and Degree qualifications or proof of enrollment in a degree program.
• The email body or small State County and Subcounty.
  Send your application to:
  kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org

Apply for Research Assistants Here

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🔵 JOBKENYA PREMIUM MEMBER EXPERT GUIDANCE

(This is NOT part of the employer advert)

✅ 1) What Shortlisters Look For in the First 30 Seconds

Recruiters scan applications rapidly, prioritizing a clear match to the job title “Research Assistant” in your CV header or summary.

They check for key keywords like “data collection,” “surveys,” “ODK,” “KOBO,” and “interviews” to gauge relevance.

Achievements with quantifiable impact stand out over generic duties, while clean formatting, no typos, and tailored content signal professionalism.

Irrelevant details or cluttered layouts get dismissed quickly—focus on clarity and direct alignment to grab attention.

✅ 2) How to Tailor Your CV to This Job (Fast but Effective)

Step 1: Identify the top 6–10 keywords from the advert, such as “data collection,” “surveys,” “interviews,” “ODK,” “Commcare,” “KOBO,” “notetaking,” “facilitation,” “community access,” and “digital recording.”

Step 2: Mirror this language naturally in your CV, e.g., rephrase your experience to include “conducted surveys and interviews using ODK and KOBO tools.”

Step 3: Reorder bullets under each role to prioritize those matching the job’s key responsibilities, like leading with data collection and fieldwork tasks.

Step 4: Remove irrelevant experience, such as unrelated office jobs, to keep the CV focused and under two pages.

Keyword checklist example (for Admin/Executive roles): data collection, surveys, assessments, interviews, questionnaires, ODK, KOBO, notetaking, facilitation, community engagement.

✅ 3) Upgrade Your Professional Summary (Give 2 Examples)

Weak generic summary: “Experienced assistant with good communication skills seeking a research role.” (This is vague, lacks tailoring, and doesn’t highlight relevance.)

Strong tailored summary: “Dedicated Research Assistant with a Diploma in Community Health and 2 years in data collection for NGO projects in Nandi County. Proficient in ODK, KOBO, and conducting surveys/interviews in local languages, ensuring accurate input and community engagement to support child-focused programs.” (This mirrors the job’s language, showcases fit, and positions you as a reliable field contributor.)

✅ 4) Turn Duties into Results (Show Proof, Not Claims)

Convert plain responsibilities into impact-focused bullets by adding measurable outcomes or credible evidence.

Use numbers where realistic, or qualitative proof like process improvements when data isn’t available.

Before: “Conducted surveys.” After: “Completed surveys and assessments in designated areas, gathering data from 50+ participants daily to inform program decisions.”

Before: “Collected responses.” After: “Collected and input responses using questionnaires, achieving 98% accuracy and reducing errors through daily reviews.”

Before: “Participated in briefings.” After: “Participated in briefings and provided feedback on field challenges, contributing to improved data collection strategies for team efficiency.”

✅ 5) Cover Letter That Gets Read (Not Long, Not Boring)

Use a concise 3-paragraph structure:

Paragraph 1: State the role, your value proposition, and strongest match to the job.

Paragraph 2: Provide proof with a key achievement tied to the advert’s requirements.

Paragraph 3: Note availability, close politely, and list attached documents.

Strong opening paragraph example: “As a resident of Nandi County with experience in data collection using ODK and KOBO, I am eager to apply for the Research Assistant position at your organization. My background in community health and facilitating interviews aligns with your need for accurate fieldwork in child-focused programs across Aldai, Nandi Hills, Emgwen, and Tinderet Sub-Counties.”

✅ 6) Application Submission Checklist (Most People Fail Here)

• File naming: Use a professional format like “Sarah_Chebet_ResearchAssistant_CV.pdf”.
• PDF vs Word: Submit as PDF to preserve formatting unless specified otherwise.
• Attachments: Include a single PDF with CV, National ID, and academic certificates/transcripts—double-check the advert for specifics.
• Correct email/portal entry: Use the exact email provided (kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org) and subject line.
• Follow instructions exactly: Submit by 1 February 2026 @ 5:00PM; state your County and Subcounty in the email body; no extras unless asked.

Sample email body for email applications:

Subject: Application for Research Assistant – [Subcounty]

Dear Hiring Team,

I am applying for the Research Assistant position in [Subcounty], Nandi County. As a resident with a Diploma in Social Sciences and experience in data collection using ODK, I am committed to supporting child-focused research.

In the email body, my County is Nandi and Subcounty is [Subcounty]. Attached is my single PDF application document. I am available immediately.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to contributing to your team.

Best regards,
Sarah Chebet
[Phone Number]
[LinkedIn/Professional Link if relevant]

Attachments: Sarah_Chebet_ResearchAssistant_Application.pdf

✅ 7) Common Reasons Applicants Don’t Get Shortlisted

• Generic CV without tailoring to the job’s keywords or responsibilities
• Wrong or mismatched job title in the CV header
• No inclusion of advert-specific keywords like “ODK” or “surveys”
• Unreadable formatting, such as tiny fonts or inconsistent bullet styles
• Long paragraphs instead of concise bullets
• Missing attachments, like forgetting the National ID or certificates
• Unexplained employment gaps that raise questions
• Typos, grammatical errors, or unprofessional email addresses (e.g., funnickname@gmail.com)
• Irrelevant experience diluting the focus on key qualifications
• Failure to follow exact application instructions, like not stating County/Subcounty
• Overly long CVs exceeding two pages
• Lack of quantifiable achievements or proof in bullets

✅ 8) Premium Action Plan (Do This in 20 Minutes)

Minute 1–5: Extract keywords from the advert (e.g., data collection, ODK, interviews) and highlight matching elements in your CV.

6–12: Tailor your professional summary to include job-specific language; reorder experience bullets to lead with relevant responsibilities like surveys and fieldwork.

13–17: Write a targeted cover letter opening tying your top achievement to the role, plus a brief closing confirming attachments (optional since not required).

18–20: Final proofread for typos, compile single PDF professionally, add County/Subcounty to email body, attach with correct subject, and submit.

If you apply like a top candidate, you get treated like one—this is how you enter the shortlist.

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