Research Assistant

Purpose of the EASE Research Study

The intervention, Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE), has been developed aims to reduce distress and improve wellbeing for young adolescents that are experiencing some difficulties with their thoughts and feelings at the moment.  EASE is for children with severe emotional distress, aged between 10-14. The reason for this intervention is because in most of the settings where we work, there are no services available for children with severe emotional difficulties. And especially in areas or conflict, we expect the levels of emotional problems to be higher – hence the need for a easy-to-access psychological intervention.

EASE is comprised of seven group sessions for young adolescents and includes evidence-based techniques: psychoeducation, stress management (slow breathing), behavioural activation, problem solving and relapse prevention. There are also three group sessions for caregivers which include the following discrete strategies: psychoeducation, active listening, stress management (slow breathing), quality time, praise and showing interest in their child, caregiver self-care and relapse prevention for their child. 

The current study in Lebanon will evaluate the implementation of EASE to see whether this program is helpful for young adolescents in the communities in North Lebanon and to see how we may be able to improve the program to better help others in the future. This research programme will take place in several locations in the North and Akkar governorates of Lebanon.

Main Tasks

RA should have enough information and commitment to child safeguarding policy, sign the code of conduct, and all policies related to the respect of children rights, WCH will provide the necessary training and support regarding that.

• Attend and participate in a 6-day training (in two parts) and 2 practice days to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the data collection
• Administer the questionnaires with children and caregivers using protocols provided by WCH
• Work within a team and have a professional and ethical attitude towards all involved
• Flexibility to travel for this work
• Having the possibility to work during non-office hours
• Use feedback provided by supervisors to improve practice
• Use the set guidelines to collect data (KOBO), write clear notes, and use the naming system of files set by WCH
• Reflect in the notes taken a high level of objectivity and professionalism that portrays the real situation on the participants without possible impact of personal prejudgments or opinions.
• Attend and participate reflection meetings when needed

Knowledge and Experience

• Have completed a bachelor-level degree in Education, the Health Sciences (Medicine, Nursing, Public Health) or Behavioral and Social Sciences (Psychology, Social Work, Counselling) or a related field
• Fluent in Arabic. Skills in English are a plus
• At least 1 year of previous experience in research, monitoring and evaluation
• At least 2 years experience working with children (teaching, tutoring, scouts, summer camps, or any other relevant activities)
• Previous research experience in education and/or health desired

Fees

• RA will receive a payment of $50 per day
• RAs will receive $10 transportation fees within the same governorate for the training days and every working day in the field during the data collection process. RAs requested to travel by themselves to another governorate will be provided an extra $10 to cover transportation costs.
• RAs requested to stay over at another governorate will be provided an extra $20 for per diem. Accommodation is however, covered and identified by WCH.

Timeframe

• Training
  • Three day training (1^st part) from 18-20 of July in Beirut
  • Two practice days on the 23^rd and 24^th of July in the north of Lebanon
  • Three day training (2^nd part) first week of September in Beirut or the north of Lebanon (exact days to be determined)
• Data collections days (exact days to be determined(TBD)) in North Lebanon, it is estimated to be as per the following:
  • Approximately 20 days in September for Consent and screening and Baseline measurement(TBD)
  • Approximately 4 days in mid-November for Follow up assessment (TBD)
  • Approximately 3 days in February 2019 for follow up assessment 2 (TBD)