I. Background

DOT is a youth-led movement of daring social innovators who have the tools, knowledge, and networks to create opportunities and transform their own communities. We support youth to become innovators and leaders, and to create and apply digital solutions that have positive impact in their communities.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Digital Opportunity Trust is partnering with MASTERCARD FOUNDATION to implement “Africa Youth and the Pandemic Speak Out, Reaching Out” Project in five African countries:  Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Ghana. The Project will meaningfully engage the voices and actions of young African women and men in response to the current crisis and the subsequent efforts that will drive recovery. Through Speaking Out, Reaching Out, DOT will mobilize young women and men to lead investigation on the challenges and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project will also support youth innovators to scale their initiatives through peer and partner networks, critical health and safety resources, learning opportunities, and limited seed grants.

It is in that regard that DOT is hiring a team of youth investigators who will conduct a “Youth Led Investigation” under the “Africa Youth and the Pandemic Speak Out, Reaching Out” Project in Ethiopia.

II. Objectives

The Youth Investigator position will primarily involve work on three areas; i) Conduct Digital Survey for stakeholders in Ethiopia, ii) Engage in in-depth qualitative interviews with a selected number of stakeholders and iii) Participate in reflection sessions facilitated for participant analysis of surveys, interviews for both interim and final reporting.

   III. Scope of Work

The successful Youth Investigators will be required to carry out the following activities/tasks:

1. Conduct “Youth Led Investigation”: Digital Survey & Interviews

●      Contribute in the Design and organization of the training of the youth on the investigation framework (investigation questions, methodology, technology, questionnaires, etc.)

●      Conduct digital surveys for 30 stakeholders, including community leaders, youth, community-based organizations and national/district health and economic community- serving public and civil society organizations.

●      Participate in the reflection sessions to review analyzed data and inform interim investigation reports.

●      Conduct in-depth qualitative interviews with 20 stakeholders; contribute in data analysis and interpretation to inform the final investigation report.

1. Data Entry, Analysis and Reporting

●      Collect accurate survey data from stakeholders after obtaining proper verbal consent.

●       Ensure that all the data from each survey and interview are complete, checked and approved by the Team Leader before you enter them into the survey Platform.

●       Maintain regular communication and provide regular updates on plans and progress to the Team Leader as required.

1. Partnerships development

●      Ensure professional engagement with the stakeholders that will host the investigation youth team where need be;

●      Manage all the necessary professional relationships with the stakeholders involved in the youth led investigation, get their consent for the interviews and any pictures that may be taken during the investigation.

IV. Deliverable

The final deliverable of this assignment shall be the interim and final reports of the investigation, to arrive to these reports, the Youth-Led Investigation on COVID-19 Response and Recovery will be implemented in two stages:

In Stage 1, conduct a digital survey with 30 stakeholders by each team member, for a total of 300 stakeholders surveyed per country. Conduct light-touch follow-up with selected respondents as required, and participate in reflection sessions facilitated by DOT for participant interpretation of survey results, interviews and interim reporting.

In Stage 2, engage in in-depth qualitative interviews with 20 stakeholders, conducted by each team member, for a total of 200 stakeholders interviewed per country. Lead follow-up focus group sessions and interviews, and participate in detailed sessions facilitated for participant interpretation of survey results, interviews and final reporting. 

The Youth Investigator to undertake the assignment is expected to have the following qualifications:

●      Be a youth {25-30 Years Old}, citizen of the Country where the investigation will take place;

●      Holder of a University degree;

●      Have track record as a youth leader in youth networks or be an alumni of DOT programs or another internship experience is advantageous.

●      Have prior community research and/or investigation experience (including surveys, focus group discussions, etc), as well as strong editing and analytical skills;

●      Be self-motivated,

●      Team-oriented, possess a positive attitude and works well with others;

●      Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, speak local language proficiently or with full fluency;

●      Ability to work efficiently and promptly with team members and stakeholders spread throughout the DOT Network in different time zones (project that are based in African Countries & Canada)

●      Comfort with using email/Google Hangout/Skype/SMS/WhatsApp/instant messaging as a primary means of communication is a must - Good computer skills, including knowledge of Word and Excel.