Field Data Collector - Sidama Region

Job purpose

The purpose of the Field Data Collector is to gather information at all locations identified by the remote trailbridge needs assessment analysis. While visiting sites the data collector will speak to local residents and leaders to enquire about any trailbridge sites which may have not been identified by National Coordinator and Bridges to Prosperity’s Needs Assessment Manager to navigate to identified sites and follow established protocols which include surveying individuals, taking photos and recording all information using a tablet. This job aims to quickly ground-truth predictions made at identified locations in the Amhara, Oromia, Sidama and Somali Regions.  Nearly all the work for this assignment will take place in the field.  

Duties and responsibilities

1.      Assess bridge requests using B2P procedures

• Plan trips to reach prescribed coordinates, so that the safe and time-efficient routes are used;
• Coordinate with local officials to identify any locations which may have not been identified by the remote analysis tool;
• Record critical information such as GPS coordinates, photos and other high-level information necessary for prioritizing bridge sites;
• Log and upload information to B2P’s bridge request database. 

2.      Follow Helvetas’s standard protocols and procedures strictly

• Abide by Helvetas’s safety and travel protocols to ensure your health and safety as well as other team members and partners.

3.      Be an ambassador for Helvetas and Bridges to Prosperity

• Adhere to B2P’s code of ethics and always work in an ethical manner with all partners and team members;
• Support the overall success of the Ethiopia program.

Qualifications include:

• Education – Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Geography, GIS, or relevant field (Social Sciences, Statistics); 
• Knowledge and experience in field data collection preferred;
• Familiar with conducting social surveys and collecting data on tablets/smart phones;
• Competent in Microsoft Office (Word & Excel);
• Fluent in spoken and written English is required;
• Fluency in Sidama language; 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills;
• Flexible, capable of working independently, high integrity, and hard-working.

Working Conditions

This job will require field work for 90% of the time with 1 week of field training.  Because of the remoteness of the work the assessor will be expected to work 6 days a week in the field for the first 3 weeks of the month and will work a short week (3-4) days for the last week of the month.  The majority of the work will be completed outdoors.

Physical Requirements

This job will require a significant amount of physical fitness and stamina as the assessor will often be required to walk 2 kilometers or more in mountainous terrain in order to reach a river crossing. This job also requires the Assessor to use public and local transportation on difficult terrain upcountry.