Organization: Helen Keller International (Helen Keller Intl)

Location: Katsina State, Nigeria

RFP Reference: NG-3456

Application Reference: NG-Sol2596

Issue Date: 20th October 2026

Application Deadline: 29th October 2026

Consultancy Duration: 14 Months

Anticipated Start Date: 1st November 2026

Position: Individual Consultant – Research Assistant

Introduction

Helen Keller International (Helen Keller Intl) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and improving the sight and lives of the world’s vulnerable by combating the causes and consequences of blindness, poor health and malnutrition.

Helen Keller Intl invites applications from suitably qualified individuals for engagement as an Individual Consultant – Research Assistant in Katsina State, Nigeria.

The purpose of this Call for Applications is to select a qualified individual consultant to support a field-based cross-sectional study assessing vitamin A status among young children and evaluating vitamin A biomarkers in Katsina State.

The Research Assistant will provide technical support for study implementation, focusing on electronic data collection, data management, data quality assurance, analysis and field research support.

The anticipated consultancy engagement duration is 14 months, and the assignment requires residence in Katsina State during the study data-collection period.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have the legal right to work in Nigeria.
• Demonstrate the capacity to undertake the assigned Scope of Work.
• Provide all required declarations and supporting documentation.
• Be willing to comply with applicable Helen Keller Intl requirements.
• Be available to work in Katsina State and travel to study locations as required.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Interested applicants must possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Science, Epidemiology, Public Health, Nutrition, Dietetics or another relevant field.
• Demonstrated practical experience in research data management, data cleaning, validation, quality assurance and analysis.
• Strong practical experience using Stata or R for data management and analysis.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including data cleaning, validation, formulas and management of large datasets.
• Experience programming electronic data-collection tools using ODK or comparable platforms.
• Ability to configure skip logic, validation rules, constraints, calculations and other built-in quality controls.
• Demonstrated ability to identify data-quality problems, investigate causes, document data queries and support timely resolution.
• Experience conducting descriptive analyses, including frequencies, summary statistics and cross-tabulations.
• Previous experience supporting field surveys, research studies or large-scale data collection.
• Experience managing and reconciling information collected through electronic and paper-based systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to data confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team and provide technical support to field personnel.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Willingness and ability to work in Katsina State and travel to study locations as required.

Desirable Experience and Skills

• Training or experience in nutrition, dietetics, dietary assessment or related nutrition research.
• Experience working with dietary-recall data.
• Experience with biomarker or biospecimen data.
• Knowledge of GIS or geospatial data.
• Ability to communicate in Hausa, which is highly desirable.

Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Research Coordinator and in coordination with the study team, the Research Assistant will be responsible for the following activities:

1. Research Tools and Electronic Data Collection

• Support the Research Coordinator in developing, adapting, reviewing and field-testing questionnaires, paper logs, dietary assessment forms and other study materials.
• Develop, programme, test and maintain electronic questionnaires using ODK or other approved electronic data-collection platforms.
• Configure skip logic, validation rules, constraints, calculations and other built-in quality controls within electronic questionnaires.
• Conduct systematic testing of electronic forms before deployment.
• Document identified issues, corrections and approved versions of electronic forms.
• Support the deployment of approved tools to field devices.
• Provide technical assistance to field teams on the use of electronic data-collection tools.

2. Data Management and Quality Assurance

• Support the development and implementation of the study data-management plan.
• Develop and maintain data dictionaries, file-naming conventions and routine data-quality procedures.
• Monitor incoming data for completeness, accuracy, consistency, duplication, missing values and outliers.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking data queries, corrections and resolution of identified issues.
• Communicate data-quality concerns to the Research Coordinator and field teams.
• Maintain clean, organized, secure and version-controlled study databases.
• Ensure appropriate handling of identifiable research data.
• Verify and reconcile paper logs and paper-based dietary recall forms.
• Identify and resolve transcription and data-entry errors.
• Support the linkage and reconciliation of participant information across survey modules, dietary assessment records and biomarker or biospecimen records where applicable.

3. Data Analysis and Reporting

• Clean, prepare, label, document and maintain datasets for routine monitoring and statistical analysis.
• Conduct descriptive analyses, including frequencies, summary statistics and cross-tabulations.
• Use Stata, R or other approved statistical software for data cleaning and analysis.
• Generate regular data-quality, recruitment and field-progress summaries.
• Prepare analytical tables, charts and other data summaries for review by the Research Coordinator and study investigators.
• Support GIS or geospatial data management and analysis where applicable.
• Maintain documented analysis files, syntax, scripts and data-processing records to support reproducibility and auditability.

4. Field Implementation and Logistics Support

• Support the organization and implementation of interviewer training and pilot testing.
• Assist with survey deployment and field monitoring activities.
• Coordinate field logistics with the Research Coordinator and Helen Keller Logistics Officer.
• Prepare and track tablets, forms and other study materials.
• Provide technical and data-management support to interviewers and supervisors during fieldwork.
• Troubleshoot electronic data-collection issues.
• Participate in field monitoring visits.
• Verify compliance with approved data-collection and data-management procedures.
• Report significant data-quality, protocol or operational concerns to the Research Coordinator.
• Maintain documentation of data-management activities, form revisions, data queries, corrections and database updates.
• Contribute to routine study reports and presentations.

Expected Deliverables

The selected consultant will be expected to contribute to the following deliverables:

Electronic Data-Collection Tools

Developed, programmed, tested and maintained electronic questionnaires, including documentation of form testing, corrections, approved versions and deployment to field devices.

Timeline: During study preparation and before or during field deployment.

Data Management and Quality Assurance

Study data-management support, data dictionary, file conventions, routine data-quality checks, query tracking and resolution, and secure, version-controlled databases.

Timeline: Throughout data collection and data-management activities.

Analysis and Monitoring Summaries

Clean and documented datasets, descriptive analyses, data-quality summaries, recruitment reports, field-progress summaries, analytical tables and charts.

Timeline: Routinely throughout study implementation and reporting.

Field Implementation and Technical Support

Support for interviewer training, pilot testing, field deployment, monitoring, tablet and form tracking, and technical troubleshooting during fieldwork.

Timeline: During preparation, deployment and field implementation.

Documentation and Reporting

Documented analysis files, syntax, scripts, data-processing records, form revisions, data queries, corrections and database updates, as well as contributions to routine reports and presentations.

Timeline: Throughout the assignment and at relevant reporting stages.

Specific delivery dates will be agreed with the supervising lead and Principal Investigators.

Consultancy Duration and Engagement Terms

The anticipated consultancy engagement duration is 14 months.

The consultant must be willing to reside in Katsina State during the study data-collection period and travel to study locations as required.

The final start date will be confirmed by Helen Keller Intl.

No relocation allowance is available for this consultancy assignment.

The final remuneration, payment arrangements and other contractual terms will be confirmed in the written consultancy agreement issued by Helen Keller Intl.

Applicants are required to submit a Financial Offer specifying their proposed professional fees and other necessary assignment costs.

Application Requirements

Interested and qualified applicants must submit the following documents:

1. Cover Letter.
2. Comprehensive CV/Resume.
3. Technical Offer.
4. Financial Offer.
5. Completed and signed Conflict of Interest Declaration (Annex A).
6. Valid government-approved identification document.
7. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) documentation.
8. Copies of relevant academic or professional certificates and licences, where applicable.

All application materials must be submitted in English.

Cover Letter

The cover letter must identify the Individual Consultant – Research Assistant assignment and explain the applicant’s suitability with reference to the eligibility requirements and Scope of Work.

Applicants must provide:

• Full address, email address and telephone number.
• Submission date.
• Confirmation of a 90-day application validity period.
• Relevant experience and qualifications.
• Proposed availability and start date.
• Willingness to work and reside in Katsina State during the study data-collection period.
• Ability to travel to study locations as required.
• Confirmation of written and verbal English communication skills.
• Hausa communication ability, where applicable.

Comprehensive CV/Resume

Applicants should provide an updated CV clearly presenting their academic qualifications and relevant professional experience.

The CV should demonstrate practical experience in:

• Research data management and analysis.
• Data cleaning, validation and quality assurance.
• Stata or R and Microsoft Excel.
• Electronic data-collection programming using ODK or similar platforms.
• Field surveys and research studies.
• Electronic and paper-based data management.
• Dietary assessment, biomarker, biospecimen or GIS/geospatial research, where applicable.

Applicants must provide at least three professional references, including each referee’s name, organization, professional relationship, address, email and telephone number.

Technical Offer Requirements

The Technical Offer must be prepared in Microsoft Word, single-spaced and with consecutively numbered pages.

It should demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of the assignment, relevant experience, technical approach and availability.

1. Past Performance / Relevant Experience – Maximum 2 Pages

Describe previous assignments involving:

• Research and data-management support.
• Electronic data collection.
• Data cleaning and quality assurance.
• Statistical analysis.
• Field-survey support.
• Management of electronic and paper-based data.

For each assignment, include its scope, responsibilities, deliverables, dates and client or employer.

Relevant dietary, biomarker, biospecimen or GIS/geospatial experience should also be highlighted.

At least three professional references must be provided. Reference contact details do not count toward the two-page limit.

2. Technical Approach – Maximum 2 Pages

Applicants must explain their understanding of the study objectives and proposed approach to implementing the assignment.

The Technical Offer should address:

• Electronic data collection and programming.
• Data management and quality assurance.
• Data cleaning, descriptive analysis and statistical reporting.
• Field implementation and logistical support.
• Data security and confidentiality.
• Monitoring and reporting.
• Proposed workplan and availability for the 14-month assignment.

3. Individual Qualifications and Availability – Maximum 3 Pages, Excluding CV

Applicants must explain how they meet the required qualifications and experience.

This section should include:

• Country and current place of residence.
• Proposed availability and start date.
• Ability to undertake the assignment for the required duration.
• Willingness to reside in Katsina State during the field period.
• Oral and written proficiency in English and Hausa, as applicable.
• Required travel arrangements and assumptions.

Important: The Technical Offer must not contain any financial or cost information.

Financial Offer Requirements

The Financial Offer must be submitted as a separate document from the Technical Offer.

It should provide a clear and detailed cost proposal covering the full consultancy engagement, including:

• Proposed professional fee or remuneration.
• Proposed payment basis, such as monthly, daily or deliverable-based.
• Quantities or level of effort, where applicable.
• Applicable taxes.
• Other necessary costs for completing the assignment.
• Cost assumptions.
• Costs expected to be covered directly by Helen Keller Intl, where applicable.

The Financial Offer must not include relocation allowances or travel costs.

Payment terms will be confirmed in the written consultancy agreement.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

All applicants must complete and sign the Conflict of Interest Declaration provided in Annex A of the official RFP.

Applicants must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may affect their ability to undertake the consultancy independently and professionally.

Failure to provide an accurate declaration may result in rejection of the application.

Evaluation and Selection Criteria

Helen Keller Intl will assess applications based on the following criteria:

Relevant Experience and Past Performance

Practical experience in research data management, data cleaning, validation, quality assurance, statistical analysis, field surveys and management of electronic and paper-based information.

Personnel Qualifications

Relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification, strong practical skills in Stata or R, Microsoft Excel proficiency and good written and verbal English communication skills.

Hausa communication ability is desirable and highlighted in the evaluation criteria.

Role-Related Knowledge and Skills

Experience programming electronic data-collection tools, conducting data-quality checks, resolving data queries, performing descriptive analyses and securely managing research data.

Experience in nutrition, dietary assessment, biomarker, biospecimen or GIS/geospatial research is an added advantage.

Operational Capability

Ability to support field teams, facilitate training and deployment, troubleshoot technical challenges, manage research materials and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Technical merit will be the principal consideration, while cost and other relevant factors will also be considered in determining best value.

The evaluation process may include interviews, clarification of qualifications, experience verification and reference checks.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified individuals should submit their complete applications by email to:

[email protected]

Email Subject: Research Assistant

Applications must include:

• Cover Letter.
• Comprehensive CV/Resume.
• Technical Offer.
• Financial Offer.
• Signed Conflict of Interest Declaration.
• Required identification, TIN and supporting qualification documents.

The Technical Offer and Financial Offer must be submitted as separate documents.

Applicants must ensure that cost information appears only in the Financial Offer.

Where a reference number has been assigned, it should be included in the application and file names.

Applications must remain valid for 90 days from the submission date.

Application Deadline: 29th October 2026

Incomplete applications or submissions that fail to meet the stated requirements may not be considered.

Important Information

Helen Keller Intl reserves the right to seek clarifications, conduct interviews, check references, negotiate technical and financial terms, reject applications or decide not to proceed with an engagement.

The issuance of this Call for Applications does not constitute a commitment to engage a consultant or pay expenses incurred by applicants.

All applicants must provide complete and accurate information and disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest.

Helen Keller Intl is committed to equal opportunity and providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Applicants requiring support during the application or interview process may contact [email protected].

Note: Interested applicants should review the complete official RFP document, including Annex A (Conflict of Interest Disclosure) and Annex B (Professional References), before submitting their applications.