Job Profile Part-time Field Assistant (South Africa) 1. Background I am undertaking a PhD at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, on the topic of “The Legacy of Paulo Freire and Saul Alinsky for communities seeking change in sub-Saharan Africa”. As part of this, I will be doing field research in South Africa, where I will be working with the Community Organisation Resource Centre (CORC), talking to Board members and staff in the organisation but also concentrating on meeting with and learning from community members associated with CORC who are residents and leaders within townships. My research is qualitative, participatory and hopefully respectful of local knowledge systems. I want to engage local people in areas of interest to them, as well as to me. The research is deliberatively focused on case studies, narratives of change and an appreciation of local context and of the way local people learn and act in their own worlds. I will be making two trips to South Africa, of one week’s duration each time, 29th Sept to 5th Oct 2013 and sometime in March-April 2014 (to be confirmed). In the period between visits I will be asking three community leaders to do some follow up activities, making regular entries in a diary (focusing on activities within their communities, and the changes and impact they witness) as well as taking photos of their communities, life there and any changes they see in that time. All of the data from interviews and group meetings, diaries and photos will be used in my analysis for the final dissertation. I am hoping that both CORC and the communities will contribute their own ideas for research and that these ideas can be included into the overall research design. It is important that the data from the research is important to CORC and communities and can help them in their own reflection and learning. 2. Overall purpose of role I am seeking a Field Assistant for this research in South Africa. The overall purpose of the role is to facilitate the arrangements for each field trip (in conjunction with CORC) and to maintain on-going contact and support with the community leaders in the period between trips. The position of Field Assistant should seek to achieve smooth organisation of the field trips and to encourage the ongoing interest and motivation of the community leaders in the period between visits. The Field Assistant will also be asked to contribute to a collaborative journal article at the conclusion of the research. 3. Skills required Ideally the position requires someone with the following attributes: • Understanding of a variety of research methods, particularly qualitative and indigenous research methodologies; • Able to relate to a wide range of people and groups, particularly local community leaders, staff members of CORC and academic researchers; • A strong understanding and interest in local culture; • High level of written and oral communications skills; • Computer literate and easy access to email communications; • A strong commitment to social justice and demonstrated involvement in social justice, community mobilisation, local empowerment and/or activism; • Ability to speak and write in English and Xhosa or Zulu; • Availability for full time work for one week in September/October 2013 and March 2014 as well as approximately 3 – 4 hours per week (flexible) for the in-between period; • Own mobile phone; • Ability to use digital camera. 4. Tasks to be undertaken The work will be in two stages: a. Field trips (October 2013 and March 2014). During and around this time, the person will be required to: • Liaise with me (Tim Budge) and CORC on the logistics and details of the trips; • Translate Plain Language Statements and Consent forms to local languages; • Provide input on culturally appropriate, participatory research methods; • Accompany me on community visits and meetings with CORC; • Take photos of personal observations and sights of interest (within constraints of consent); • Establish rapport with community members and leaders; b. Between visits, the person will be required to: • On a weekly basis: i. Maintain contact with community leaders and CORC liaison person; ii. Record summary information and personal reflections. • Every two weeks: i. Participate in a teleconference and provide input on learnings arising ii. Submit records of costs for fortnightly reimbursement. • At least once a month: i. Visit the community leaders for a face-to-face meetings and take photos of work and any community changes. • At the conclusion of the project: i. Undertake a comprehensive write-up of the project, including personal reflections, with a possible view for a collaborative publishing exercise (details to be confirmed). 5. Remuneration Remuneration will be on the basis of: • Hourly rate for work done (with a maximum applying for different phases), phone credit and public transport costs (to get to the communities) 6. Expressions of interest If you are interested in this role, please submit an expression of interest need to be submitted by 20th September, via email to: Tim Budge, on [email protected]. Expressions of interest need to include: • Cover letter • Up to date curriculum vitae • Outline of suitability for the role • Confirmation of availability for different phases 7. Further information Any questions regarding this role should be submitted to the above email address.
Posted on: Mon, 16 Sep 2013 10:03:17 +0000
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