Head of Analytics and Operations at Precise Research Solutions

Precise Research Solutions (PRS) is a Zambian consultancy firm that started its operations in 2017. It provides three types of consultancy services:

Research

We conduct quantitative and qualitative research on behalf of public and private organisations working in agriculture, finance and health. Assignments are conducted to generate findings that precisely meet each organisation’s information needs. This may range from business research relevant to the private sector, to project impact evaluations that assess the effect of development initiatives.

Project Management

We provide project concept development and management services on behalf of development agencies working in various sectors. Projects are created and implemented to successfully deliver client goals while achieving necessary social impact. This ranges from research projects to testing innovations, demonstrating proof of concept, or implementing behaviour change projects aimed at improving people’s well-being.

Human Capacity Growth

We provide professional and analytical skills training to build proficiency in individuals that leads to institutional growth. Assignments are conducted to ensure individuals obtain and retain knowledge, skills and experience through innovative participatory training methods.

About the Role

As a member of the operations team, you will act as the primary point person from the time of project assignment through to field execution to ensure efficient and successful project execution.

Responsibilities

1. Survey Review and Scripting/Programming

• Review survey instruments in close collaboration with the technical team in preparation for scripting/programming and to ensure project objectives are effectively captured and well operationalized
• Manage the execution of survey programming for qualitative and quantitative instruments on various platforms determined on project-by-project basis
• This will require ensuring programming personnel learn the programming platforms selected by clients or as determined by internal resources
• Undertake survey training activities in collaboration with the technical team
• Undertake survey pre-tests or pilots so as to refine survey instruments and ensure survey teams have practical experience of the survey before field implementation

2. Coordinate the implementation of field work activities

• Supervise the operations team from the planning phase to field implementation
• Provide fiscal oversight and planning for all operational activities for the various projects within the budget parameters
• Manage the sourcing of logistical requirements such as external human resources required and any other operational requirements for the various project assignments undertaken
• Ensure any administration activities related to specific research projects such as applying for ethics approval are undertaken
• Manage field data collection activities

3. Manage the quality assurance process

• Develop quality control protocols and compliance procedures that can be applied across different projects
• Manage the execution of quality assurance activities

4. Data Preparation and Analysis

• Manage data cleaning activities during and after data collection exercises to ensure the delivery of good quality data. The data cleaning process will also be conducted in preparation for client delivery reports. This will require conducting a range of data manipulation techniques such as merges as well as data exploration techniques using various statistical packages such as STATA, Excel, SPSS etc
• Undertake data analysis that derives in-depth insights and learnings that precisely meet client information needs
• Represent insights generated in clear and creative graphical formats

5. Contribute to the development and review of the operations strategy

• Spearhead the development of an operations strategy that seeks to drive technical and cost efficiency
• Initiate and spearhead bi-annual operations strategy review sessions
• Drive change in operations processes within the businesses in areas required

Qualifications and Qualities

Culture fit/values or personal traits

• Should be able to fit into a ‘start-up’ work culture and adapt to working in a high pressure environment
• Should be flexible and agile. In a growing company like PRS, change is inevitable, therefore, agility and an ability to adapt quickly are a key part of how we work
• Should be innovative and able to identify opportunities to integrate suitable technology in the operations process where applicable
• Must have a passion for learning
• A strong drive to deliver very high quality results and leave legacies
• Must have a strong internal customer focus to ensure operational systems and processes are responsive to the needs of the business while still upholding the necessary quality and control requirements
• Is detail oriented and a proponent of data-led solutions and decision-making
• Excellent at execution – gets things done!

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