Call for Applicants (Participation in Research Methodology and Data Collection Training)

The Youth Assembly for Afghanistan Rehabilitation (YAAR) is an Afghan organization working to contribute to the rehabilitation, development, and well-being of communities in Afghanistan. Through its programmes and partnerships, YAAR supports initiatives aimed at strengthening community capacities, improving access to essential services, generating evidence, and contributing to sustainable and locally responsive development.

As part of its commitment to strengthening national and local capacity for research, evidence generation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, YAAR is seeking to develop a pool of qualified health professionals with practical knowledge and skills in research methodology and high-quality field data collection.

Further information about YAAR is available on the organization’s website: YAAR – Youth Assembly for Afghanistan Rehabilitation.

The Training Opportunity

Applications are invited from qualified health professionals interested in participating in a short training programme of three days on research methodology, field research, and data collection.

The purpose of the training is to strengthen participants’ practical knowledge and skills in data collection used for high-quality quantitative and qualitative health research. Participants who successfully complete the training may be considered for future research, survey, monitoring, evaluation, or data-collection assignments, subject to project requirements and a separate selection process.

Participation in the training does not constitute an employment offer or guarantee future engagement.

Number of Participants

A limited number of male and female applicants will be selected for the training.

Male and female applicants will be assessed individually. There is no requirement at this stage to apply or participate as male–female pairs or couples.

Training Areas

The training is expected to introduce participants to the fundamental principles and practical skills required for health research and field data collection, including:

• Introduction to health research and research methodology.
• Basic principles of quantitative and qualitative research.
• Research questions, objectives, indicators, and variables.
• Study populations and qualitative sampling.
• Different types of data-collection methods.
• Structured and semi-structured interviews.
• Key informant interviews and qualitative interviewing techniques.
• Health facility and service-delivery observations.
• Questionnaire administration.
• Interview techniques and probing.
• Informed consent and voluntary participation.
• Research ethics and confidentiality.
• Privacy and respectful engagement with respondents.
• Safeguarding and Do No Harm principles.
• Working with women, children, patients, caregivers, health workers, and other potentially vulnerable respondents.
• Avoiding interviewer bias and leading questions.
• Accurate recording of respondents’ answers.
• Data quality assurance and completeness checks.
• Identification and correction of common data-collection errors.
• Introduction to electronic or distanced data collection.
• Completing, reviewing, saving, and submitting electronic questionnaires.
• Field-team communication and coordination.
• Daily field reporting and documentation.
• Handling field challenges and unexpected situations.
• Professional conduct of data collectors.
• Practical exercises, role plays, mock interviews, and supervised practice.

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

Education

• Male applicants should preferably be qualified Medical Doctors (MDs).
• Female applicants may be qualified Medical Doctors (MDs) or Midwives.
• Additional education or training in public health, epidemiology, research, monitoring and evaluation, or related disciplines will be considered an advantage.

Experience

Previous experience is desirable in one or more of the following areas:

• Health research or field surveys.
• Quantitative or qualitative data collection.
• Monitoring and evaluation.
• Health facility assessments.
• Household or community surveys.
• Patient, caregiver, community, or health-worker interviews.
• Use of electronic data-collection systems such as KoboToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO, or similar platforms.

Previous research or data-collection experience is an advantage but is not an absolute requirement for participation in the training. Applicants with a strong health background, good communication skills, and demonstrated interest in research may also be considered.

Skills and Competencies

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate respectfully with different population groups.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Interest in research and evidence generation.
• Ability to follow research protocols and instructions.
• Commitment to accurate and truthful data collection.
• Respect for confidentiality and research ethics.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team.
• Good organizational and time-management skills.
• Willingness to participate fully in classroom and practical training activities.
• Ability and willingness to undertake fieldwork if subsequently selected for a research assignment.

Language Requirements

• Good command of Pashto and/or Dari is required.
• Ability to communicate in both national languages will be an advantage.
• Basic English-language skills will be considered an additional advantage.

Interested applicants should submit:

• An updated CV..
• A cover letter with brief information on why he/she is interested in research, survey, monitoring, evaluation, or data-collection.
• Availability for the proposed training period.

to the email: recruitment@yaar.af 

Important Note

This announcement is intended to identify and train potential research and data-collection personnel. Selection for and participation in the training does not create an employment relationship and does not guarantee subsequent recruitment or deployment.

Any future data-collection engagement will be subject to the requirements of the relevant research or evaluation assignment, satisfactory training performance, availability, geographical requirements, gender considerations, and a separate selection and contracting process.