Qualitative Enumerator - Facilitator

Position Title: Qualitative Enumerator - Facilitator

Organisation: High Lands Centre of Leadership for Development (HLC-L4D)

Programme: Program Outcomes Assessment (POA)

Contract Type: Short-term

Reporting To: Field Supervisor / Qualitative Research Lead

Location: Field-based across assigned districts, Rwanda

Background and Context

The High Lands Centre of Leadership for Development (-L4D) is a Kigali-based think tank specialising in policy research, programme evaluation, and impact assessment. L4D has been engaged as the Impact Partner Organisation (IPO) by the Mastercard Foundation to lead the Program Outcomes Assessment (POA), a study designed to generate evidence on the outcomes associated with the Foundation's programs and investments in Rwanda.

The Program Outcomes Assessment (POA) is a one-off survey focused on understanding young people's work experiences and the extent to which they are progressing toward dignified and fulfilling work; including aspects such as reliable income, resilience, and quality of life. The POA combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to capture both measurable outcomes and lived experiences of young people and other relevant stakeholders.

Data will be collected through structured questionnaires and qualitative discussion guides administered digitally using mobile data collection platforms. The results will contribute to strengthening the Mastercard
Foundation's understanding of program outcomes and will inform program learning,
adaptation, and decision-making.

Purpose of the Role

The Qualitative Facilitator will lead the implementation of Focus Group Discussions (FDs) and Key Informant Interviews (Klls) as part of the POA qualitative data collection component. Working in tandem with a Note-Taker, the Facilitator is responsible for creating a safe and open discussion environment, guiding participants through qualitative discussion guides, probing for depth and clarity, and ensuring that sessions generate rich, high-quality qualitative data. The Facilitator must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, fluency in Kinyarwanda, and a sound understanding of qualitative research methodology.

Key Responsibilities

Session Facilitation

• Lead all assigned IDis and Kil sessions in accordance with the POA qualitative discussion guides and facilitation protocol.
• Introduce the purpose and structure of each session to participants, obtain informed consent, and establish ground rules.
• Create a respectful, inclusive, and psychologically safe environment that encourages open and honest participation.
• Guide participants through discussion topics using approved discussion guide questions while exercising flexibility to probe and follow meaningful threads.
• Manage group dynamics effectively, ensuring balanced participation and preventing dominant voices from overshadowing others.
• Apply appropriate probing techniques to elicit depth, nuance, and context beyond surface-level responses.
• Manage session timing to cover all key topics within the allocated time.

Coordination with Note-Taker

• Brief the Note-Taker before each session on key topics, terminology, and specific areas requiring close attention.
• Coordinate with the Note-Taker during sessions to ensure all key contributions are captured.
• Review session notes and transcripts in collaboration with the Note-Taker to verify accuracy and completeness.

Reporting and Quality

• Complete a brief post-session debrief form highlighting key themes, standout quotes, emerging patterns, and any facilitation challenges.
• Flag any participant distress, safeguarding concerns, or session irregularities to the Field Supervisor immediately.
• Participate in enumerator training and qualitative methods orientation sessions.
• Support pilot testing of qualitative discussion guides during the inception phase.
• Adhere to all data protection, safeguarding, and research ethics standards throughout the assignment.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Psychology, Development Studies, Public Health, Communication, or a related field.

Professional Experience

• Up to six (6) years of experience in qualitative research facilitation, community engagement, or participatory research.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating FDs or conducting Kils, ideally within social research or programme evaluation contexts.
• Experience working with youth, women, or vulnerable community groups is strongly preferred.
• Prior exposure to the Mastercard Foundation's AgriJob, or similar programmes is an advantage.

Language Skills

• Excellent spoken Kinyarwanda; must be able to facilitate naturally and fluently in Kinyarwanda across different regional accents and dialects.
• Good English - sufficient to read, understand, and facilitate English discussion and to communicate with the research team.

Competencies

• Exceptional interpersonal and active listening skills.
• Strong ability to manage group dynamics and create an open, non-judgmental discussion environment.
• Sound understanding of qualitative research ethics, including informed consent, confidentiality, and participant protection.
• Ability to adapt facilitation style to different participant profiles (youth, women, employers, programme staff).
• Good time management and the ability to keep sessions on track while remaining responsive to participants.
• Professionalism, discretion, and sensitivity in handling personal and potentially sensitive participant disclosures.

Application Requirement - Facilitation Experience

Candidates for the Facilitator role are encouraged to include in their cover letter or CV a brief description of a qualitative facilitation assignment they have previously led or co-led. The description should outline:

• The type of session facilitated (FGD, KII, community dialogue, etc.).
• The target group and number of participants.
• Key facilitation challenges encountered and how they were addressed.

This information will be used to assess facilitation depth and suitability during the shortlisting process.

Target Candidate Profile

L4D actively encourages applications from youth candidates (preferably below 35 years of age). A strong representation of women enumerators is a priority for this assignment. Qualified persons with disabilities who meet the requirements of the role are also strongly encouraged to apply.

To support the safety and wellbeing of enumerators during fieldwork, particular attention will be given to safeguarding arrangements, especially in locations requiring travel to remote or unfamiliar areas.
Team composition and field arrangements will be determined by L4D taking into account local context, field logistics, and safeguarding considerations.

Remuneration

Enumerators will be compensated on a time-based contract (daily rate). The remuneration package will cover the training and pilot testing period, fieldwork days, and transport. Payment per completed interview does not apply to this assignment. Specific rates will be communicated to shartlisted candidates.

Safeguarding

L4D is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful candidates will be required to:

• Complete a self-declaration form consenting to background and criminal record checks (where applicable by law).
• Provide a minimum of two (2) professional references from former employers.
• Sign and adhere to the L4D Safeguarding Policy upon commencement of the assignment.
• Undergo safeguarding induction and training as part of the onboarding process.

All employment for this assignment is subject to applicable background checks, including criminal record checks where possible, in accordance with L4D's Safeguarding Policy.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following documents:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) - maximum 3 pages.
• Cover letter (maximum 1 page) outlining your relevant experience and motivation for applying
• Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates.
• Brief description of a prior facilitation assignment in the cover letter or CV (see Section 5 above).
• Contact details of two (2) professional referees.

Important: Applicants must clearly indicate their current district/location of residence in their application. This information will be used to facilitate deployment of successful candidates within or near their respective areas of residence where possible.
L4D actively encourages applications from qualified women, persons with disabilities, etc. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.