Job Title:             Fieldwork Assistant (FA)

Department:      AUB-IBSAR

Position overview

Fieldwork Assistant (FA) needed for conducting audio-recorded semi-structured interviews in Arabic with local authorities (e.g. mayors) and residents in villages throughout Lebanon.

Summary of Research Objectives:

The FA will be working with Research Student (RS) on a PhD thesis project. The research will entail investigating into local natural resource management regimes in order to assess their effectiveness in restoring ecosystems and conserving biodiversity. Tree planting and seedling management is the main activity being studied.
The methods used will be largely semi-structured interviews with local authorities and residents from municipalities in various parts of Lebanon. The candidate should have some experience in conducting interviews in Arabic, personable, and exhibit good communication skills. Having a background in social sciences, e.g. public administration, journalism, sociology, etc. is a plus.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Conducting audio-recorded semi-structured interviews in Arabic with local authorities in up to 100 villages/municipalities
• S/he will be required to travel to various villages in Lebanon to conduct the interviews
• Interviews should be conducted efficiently and not to exceed more than 1 hour each (note: efforts will be made to organize 3-5 interviews per day/trip)
• Securely uploading all audio recordings weekly onto password-secured laptop/PC
• Data entry of interviews in a timely fashion

Note: some transcribing/translating form Arabic to English will be required

Skills and Abilities Required:

• Excellent in both written and spoken Arabic
• Excellent in both written and spoken English
• Interviewing experience, e.g. excellent communication skills
• Access to a registered and insured vehicle*
• Good knowledge of MS Office & Excel applications (i.e. data entry)
• Sound work ethics and interpersonal skills
• Good time management skills
• Once hired, the FA will also be required to take an online ethics course and exam in order to be certified and recognized by AUB’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), i.e. CITI.

Payment arrangements:

The FA will be paid 24,000 LL (approx USD $16) per completed (i.e. data entry and transcription/translation where needed) interview. Average interview should take no longer than 1 hour to conduct. There is also the likelihood of conducting more than one interview in some municipalities.

Note: In order to make trips as efficiently as possible through minimizing drive-time lags, research team will be required to stay overnight in some regions, e.g. Akkar/Dinniyeh. All expenses (food, lodging, etc) will be covered by the Research Student.

*Research Student will have access to a vehicle in most cases; otherwise, the FA will be reimbursed for any transportation/fuel costs will.

If interested, please contact Mr. Arbi Sarkissian at arbi.sarkissian27@gmail, or:

Mobile: 03/024967

Office landline #: 01/217285

AUB-Ibsar #: 01-350000 ext. 4509 (please ask to speak with Hany Hachem for details).