Research Assistant

Workplace Circumstances

• Environment: Office
• Languages: English, Khmer
• Location: Phnom Penh

Position Summary

The position based at the New Generation Pedagogical Research Department (NGPRD), which is an autonomous component of the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Phnom Penh. The NGPRD trains mentors for the New Generation School reforms being implemented by the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport. New Generation Schools are a key educational reform that MoEYS is implementing in 14 schools. As needed, the trained mentors also extend support to other reforming target schools such as STEM-based Schools, Resources Schools, Model Schools and so on. The cohorts are kept small (about 32 individuals each year) to ensure high-quality training. NGPRD’s trainees are qualified teachers with at least three years of teaching experience, who are seeking to improve their skills and take further responsibilities in the Cambodian school system. At the end of the program, they are awarded a Master’s Degree in Education by MoEYS. As mentors, they become capable of advising and supporting other teachers in the schools where they are assigned. This program is supported by several development partners including the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The Research Assistant plays a vital role in supporting the NGPRD's missions of training mentors to support Cambodian teachers and conducting pedagogical research to improve teaching quality in Cambodia.

The agency welcomes both men and women to apply for advertised posts as well as candidates who are physically challenged or who come from ethnic minority groups.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Research Project Selection and Coordination
• Contribute to the selection and coordination of research projects led by NGPRD faculty and students.
• Assist in prioritizing and harmonizing research topics for Master of Education (M.Ed.) students to address the needs of Cambodian schools.
• Contribute to writing research proposals and securing grants to sustain the center's research activities.
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Collect research data following strict protocols and research methodologies.
• Ensure accurate and efficient organization, management, and storage of research data.
• Collaborate with the NGPRD team to analyze research data and contribute to the interpretation of findings.
• Grant Management and Donor Compliance
• Assist in finding grants to support NGPRD's research activities and follow up on research projects to meet donor requirements.
• Monitor and comply with grant guidelines, reporting deadlines, and financial regulations related to research projects.
• Research Partnerships
• Identify and establish research partnerships with educational institutions both within Cambodia and abroad.
• Facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing with partner institutions to enhance research outcomes and impact.
• Academic Support
• Proofread academic research undertaken by NGPRD students, providing feedback on writing style, structure, and grammar.
• Assist the instructor of the research stream in training M.Ed. students and other research contributors in research methodology and ethics.
• Assist in collecting the Mini-thesis proposals and final products from M.Ed. students based on the deadlines of each academic year.
• Operate and coordinate the Research Club for M.Ed. students.
• Publication and Dissemination
• Assist in ensuring the effective dissemination of NGPRD publications to a wide audience through electronic and printed materials.
• Contribute to the organization and participation in academic conferences organized by the NGPRC and/or the NIE.
• Additional Responsibilities
• Complete any other reasonable tasks assigned by the NGPRD leadership or supervisors to support the center's research activities and initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in education, social sciences, or a related field
• Master's Degree is preferred

General & Technical Skills

• Prior experience in research, preferably in the field of education or social sciences.
• Knowledge of research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in academic writing, proofreading, and formatting.
• Familiarity with grant management and donor compliance is an advantage.
• Knowledge of the Cambodian education system and pedagogical practices is desirable.

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.