Junior Qualitative Researcher

Job Description

KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Junior Qualitative Researcher
Position Type (full/part time): Part Time
Duration/Level of Effort (long/short term): April - May 2026 (maximum of 24 working days)
Position Location (e.g. city, country, remote): Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

The DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender equality (SPRING) program is Australia’s flagship investment of support to the Philippine Government on Social Protection, Gender Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion and Indigenous Inclusion. It is an AUD 40 million investment over 5 years that will support the joint Development Partnership Plan (DPP 2024-2029) between the Government of Australia and the Philippine Government. The investment will be the DFAT’s primary avenue in the Philippines for supporting poverty reduction and bilateral funding on gender equality and social inclusion at the national level and with some select Local Government Units (LGUs). SPRING supports efforts under Australia’s new International Development Policy and DFAT’s forthcoming new strategies on gender equality, disability equity and rights, and translate these into implementation in the Philippines.

SPRING contributes to the goal that the social and economic transformation in the Philippines reduces poverty and provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos in line with the Philippines Development Plan.

The objective of SPRING is that Australia works in partnership with the Philippine Government to improve systems and structures that reduce poverty and inequality and advance gender equality and the rights of people with disabilities.

SPRING has four mutually reinforcing End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):

1. Philippine Government social protection plans, policies and programs increasingly close gaps in the social protection floor.
2. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and select LGU systems increasingly deliver quality social protection that is inclusive, gender and shock responsive, and climate sensitive.
3. The Philippine Government increasingly invests in gender responsive policies, plans, programs and systems.
4. The Philippine Government improves data, systems and targeting to enable people with disability and Indigenous Peoples improved access to targeted services.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

The Jr. Qualitative Researcher will support the qualitative research components of the study on establishing a basic income guarantee in old age under the Philippine Social Protection Floor (SPF). Working under the supervision of the Senior Qualitative Researcher and in close coordination with the Lead Qualitative Researcher, the Junior Qualitative Researcher will assist in data collection, transcription, coding, and synthesis of qualitative evidence drawn from stakeholder consultations, interviews, and field validation activities.
The role will contribute to the SPF study for old age ensuring that qualitative data accurately reflects the lived experiences of older persons, service delivery challenges, and governance bottlenecks among others. The position requires meticulous documentation, sensitivity to gender and inclusion dimensions, and the ability to translate field data into structured analytical inputs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Jr. Qualitative Researcher will provide technical and administrative research support across all stages of the activity. Working under the guidance of the Team Lead and in close collaboration with the Economist and Policy Specialist, they will contribute to the preparation of all outputs. Specific responsibilities include:

1. Data Collection and Field Support

• Assist in preparing qualitative research instruments, interview guides, and consent forms.
• Support the coordination and logistics of key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and validation workshops.
• Conduct or assist in interviews and FGDs with older persons, government officials, and community stakeholders, ensuring ethical standards and informed consent procedures are followed.
• Record, transcribe, and organize interview and FGD data, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.

 2. Literature and Policy Review

• Conduct desk reviews of relevant policy documents, academic studies, and administrative reports.
• Summarize findings to feed into the situational analysis, pension system review, and fiscal space analysis.
• Extract qualitative evidence (e.g., beneficiary experiences, delivery challenges) to complement quantitative findings.

 3. Data Processing, Documentation, and Drafting

• Assist the data processing workflow, including organizing raw transcripts, cleaning and coding qualitative data, applying thematic analysis, and ensuring that all data are stored, labelled, and managed in line with ethical and confidentiality requirements.
• Support the drafting of sections and annexes of the situational analysis, pension system review, modelling and fiscal space analysis, and final report.
• Prepare qualitative documentation from interviews and consultations, ensuring they are integrated into analytical outputs.
• Produce KII and FGD reports, attendance lists, and consolidated feedback notes.
• Ensure consistent formatting, referencing, and editing across all deliverables.

 4. GEDSI Integration and Ethics

• Ensure GEDSI considerations are embedded in both quantitative and qualitative analysis, consultations, and documentation.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES

Deliverable / Milestone | Performance Indicator | Number of Days | Timeline

Qualitative Research Instruments | Draft Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides prepared; consent forms and data management templates finalized in coordination with the Senior Qualitative Researcher and Lead | 2 Days | April 2026

Interview and FGD Transcripts | Completed and verified transcripts from key informant interviews and FGDs with older persons, national agencies, and local implementers; organized and stored following confidentiality protocols | 13 Days | April-May 2026

Qualitative Data Analysis Report | Thematic coding completed; analysis summaries prepared covering but not limited to inclusion, adequacy, delivery challenges, and governance insights | 9 Days | May 2026



JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Social Work, Anthropology, Development Studies, or other related social science disciplines.
• Additional training or coursework in qualitative research methods, social protection, or policy studies is an advantage.

Minimum Experience:

• At least 2-3 years of professional experience in qualitative research, social policy studies, or program evaluation for government or donor-funded projects.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting and documenting key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs).
• Experience in transcribing, coding, and analyzing qualitative data using structured templates or software.
• Prior exposure to social protection, social welfare, poverty reduction, or gender and inclusion programs preferred.

Essential Skills:

• Strong qualitative research and analytical skills, with attention to accuracy and detail in data transcription and analysis.
• Strong writing and documentation skills, including the preparation of interview summaries, field notes, and thematic reports.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage respectfully with older persons and government stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel) and familiarity with data management or qualitative coding tools.
• Capacity to work collaboratively under supervision, manage multiple tasks, and deliver within agreed timelines
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of GEDSI principles, with knowledge or experience in promoting gender equality, disability, and social inclusion especially within adaptive programs like SPRING. This includes a clear understanding of and practical experience in safeguarding, particularly in the context of child protection (CP) and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH), with the ability to integrate safeguarding measures into program implementation.
• Compliance to DFAT policies on fraud control, financing terrorism, child protection and other social safeguards.

APPLICATION PROCESS
This is a rolling recruitment. Applications will be reviewed and vetted sequentially as they are received. We encourage interested individuals to apply as early as possible.

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Cowater international strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

About the Organization

ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.