About this opportunity
JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc. is recruiting data collectors for a short-term health research assignment in Ethiopia. The recruitment includes opportunities for both Qualitative Data Collectors and Quantitative Data Collectors, with positions covering several regions of the country.
The assignment is particularly relevant to public health professionals, health researchers, nurses, midwives, health informatics specialists, demographers and other qualified candidates with practical experience in field-based health research.
According to the vacancy announcement, the positions will support research activities in Afar, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Oromia, Sidama, Somali, Southwest Ethiopia and South Ethiopia.
Application deadline: October 11, 2026
JSI Data Collector Jobs 2026 at a Glance
| Position | Openings | Minimum Education | Experience | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative Data Collector | 14 | Master’s degree preferred | 3–5 years qualitative research | Afar, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Oromia, Sidama, Somali, Southwest Ethiopia, South Ethiopia |
| Quantitative Data Collector | 48 | Bachelor’s degree | At least 3 years field experience | Selected study woredas across the project regions |
| Assignment duration | — | — | — | Approximately 20–25 days |
1. Qualitative Data Collector – 14 Positions
JSI is seeking experienced qualitative researchers who can support field research activities involving interviews, focus group discussions, observation and qualitative documentation.
The position requires candidates who are comfortable working directly with communities and health-system stakeholders and who can maintain high standards of data quality throughout the research process.
Required Qualifications
Applicants for the Qualitative Data Collector position should have:
- A Master’s degree preferred in Public Health, Health Education, Behavioral Science or a related health-science field
- A PhD or another relevant advanced qualification may also be considered
- At least 3–5 years of hands-on qualitative research experience
- Experience conducting Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)
- Experience facilitating Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)
- Experience with observation and other qualitative research methods
- Strong qualitative interviewing and probing skills
- Experience managing audio recordings
- Ability to conduct accurate verbatim transcription and translation
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Native or fluent command of the relevant local language in the assigned study area
The required local languages may include:
- Amharic
- Afan Oromo
- Somali
- Afar
Candidates should also have a strong understanding of the Ethiopian health system and qualitative data-quality assurance procedures.
2. Quantitative Data Collector – 48 Positions
JSI is also recruiting 48 Quantitative Data Collectors for field-based health research activities.
This position is suitable for candidates with a health-related bachelor’s degree and substantial experience conducting household and health-facility surveys.
Required Qualifications
Applicants should have:
- A Bachelor’s degree in:
- Public Health
- Nursing
- Midwifery
- Health Informatics
- Demography
- Another related health-science field
- At least 3 years of proven field experience
- Experience conducting quantitative health-facility surveys
- Experience conducting household surveys in Ethiopia
- Strong practical knowledge of electronic data collection
- Experience using platforms such as SurveyCTO or KoboToolbox
- Good written and spoken English
- Fluency in Amharic
- Working knowledge of regional languages such as Afan Oromo, Afar or Somali, depending on deployment location
Applicants should also understand Ethiopia’s Primary Health Care (PHC) system and the Health Extension Program (HEP).
Where Will the JSI Data Collectors Work?
The recruitment covers several regions of Ethiopia, including:
- Afar
- Amhara
- Central Ethiopia
- Oromia
- Sidama
- Somali
- Southwest Ethiopia
- South Ethiopia
The quantitative data-collection assignment is expected to involve selected study woredas in both agrarian and pastoralist settings.
Applicants should therefore be prepared for field deployment and should clearly indicate their preferred location when applying.
Duration of the Assignment
The assignment is expected to last approximately 20–25 days.
The stated period includes activities such as:
- Training
- Pilot testing
- Field preparation
- Data collection
- Field deployment
- Related research activities
Because this is a short-term research assignment, candidates should make sure they are available for the required period before applying.
What Will Qualitative Data Collectors Do?
The qualitative team is expected to support activities such as:
- Conducting KIIs
- Facilitating FGDs
- Conducting qualitative interviews
- Probing participants effectively
- Recording interviews where appropriate
- Maintaining accurate field notes
- Managing audio files
- Transcribing interviews
- Translating transcripts where required
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Following research protocols
- Supporting qualitative data-quality assurance
Strong communication skills are particularly important because qualitative researchers must be able to create a comfortable environment for participants while collecting detailed and accurate information.
What Will Quantitative Data Collectors Do?
Quantitative Data Collectors will participate in structured field data collection.
Potential responsibilities include:
- Conducting household surveys
- Collecting information from health facilities
- Using electronic questionnaires
- Following approved research protocols
- Checking submitted data for completeness
- Maintaining participant confidentiality
- Reporting field problems to supervisors
- Participating in training and pilot testing
- Ensuring accurate and timely data submission
Experience with KoboToolbox or SurveyCTO is particularly important for this position.
Who Should Apply?
These opportunities may be particularly suitable for:
- Public health professionals
- Nurses
- Midwives
- Health informatics professionals
- Demographers
- Health researchers
- Monitoring and evaluation professionals
- Qualitative researchers
- Survey researchers
- Health-system researchers
- Professionals with previous household survey experience
However, applicants should carefully compare their qualifications and experience with the requirements of the specific position before applying.
Important Language Requirements
Language ability is an important part of this recruitment.
For the qualitative position, applicants need excellent English for transcript submission and should have native or fluent knowledge of the local language used in their assigned study area.
Depending on the deployment location, this may include:
Amharic, Afan Oromo, Somali or Afar.
For quantitative data collectors, English and Amharic are required, while knowledge of the relevant regional language is highly important depending on where the candidate is deployed.
How to Apply for JSI Data Collector Jobs
Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the Ethiojobs recruitment platform for the JSI Research & Training Institute vacancy.
Applicants should submit:
- Application letter
- CV in English
The application letter should clearly indicate the preferred location.
Important Application Instructions
Candidates should make sure their CV clearly explains experience that is directly relevant to the position.
For example, applicants can highlight:
- Number of years of research experience
- Previous data-collection projects
- Health-facility surveys
- Household surveys
- KIIs
- FGDs
- Qualitative interviews
- SurveyCTO experience
- KoboToolbox experience
- Transcription and translation experience
- Previous work in Ethiopian regions
- Relevant language skills
Do not attach academic transcripts, degree certificates or recommendation letters unless they are requested later.
Applicants should follow the application instructions on the current Ethiojobs vacancy rather than sending documents to unofficial recruiters.
Application Deadline
October 11, 2026
Candidates interested in these short-term research opportunities should submit their applications before the stated deadline.
Because recruitment platforms can close vacancies or update listings, applicants should check the current vacancy before submitting their application.
How to Make Your CV Stronger for Data Collector Jobs
A generic CV may not clearly demonstrate your suitability for a research position.
Instead, organize your CV around the skills the employer is looking for.
For qualitative researchers
Emphasize:
- Qualitative research projects
- KIIs
- FGDs
- In-depth interviews
- Observation
- Transcription
- Translation
- Qualitative data analysis
- Field research
- Health-system research
- Local-language capability
For quantitative researchers
Highlight:
- Household surveys
- Health-facility surveys
- Electronic data collection
- KoboToolbox
- SurveyCTO
- ODK or similar platforms
- Field supervision
- Data quality assurance
- PHC experience
- HEP experience
- Regional field experience
This approach makes it easier for the recruitment team to identify the experience that directly matches the vacancy.
Tips for Applicants
1. Choose your preferred location carefully
The vacancy covers multiple regions. If the application asks you to indicate your preferred location, make your preference clear.
2. Highlight local-language skills
Language capability can be especially important for field research. Clearly state which Ethiopian languages you speak and your level of proficiency.
3. Don’t hide your field experience
If you have participated in previous surveys, research projects or health assessments, describe your actual responsibilities rather than simply listing the project name.
4. Mention electronic data-collection platforms
Quantitative applicants should clearly list platforms such as KoboToolbox or SurveyCTO if they have practical experience using them.
5. Follow the document instructions
The announcement specifically asks applicants to submit an application letter and CV and not to attach academic documents unless requested.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many positions are available?
The vacancy announcement lists 14 Qualitative Data Collector positions and 48 Quantitative Data Collector positions.
What is the deadline?
The stated application deadline is October 11, 2026.
Where are the positions located?
The recruitment covers Afar, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Oromia, Sidama, Somali, Southwest Ethiopia and South Ethiopia, with deployment depending on the study area.
What degree is required for the qualitative position?
A Master’s degree is preferred in Public Health, Health Education, Behavioral Science or a related health-science field. Relevant advanced qualifications may also be considered.
What degree is required for quantitative data collectors?
A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery, Health Informatics, Demography or a related health-science field is required.
Is previous research experience required?
Yes. The qualitative position asks for approximately 3–5 years of qualitative research experience, while the quantitative position requires at least 3 years of relevant field experience.
Do I need KoboToolbox or SurveyCTO experience?
For the quantitative position, demonstrated proficiency with electronic data-collection platforms such as SurveyCTO or KoboToolbox is specifically required.
Should I attach my degree certificate?
No. The application instructions state that applicants should submit their application letter and CV without attaching transcripts, academic degrees or recommendation letters unless these are requested later.
Final Takeaway
The JSI Research & Training Institute recruitment offers short-term field research opportunities for qualified professionals across several regions of Ethiopia.
The two main tracks are Qualitative Data Collector and Quantitative Data Collector. The positions require previous research or field experience, strong communication skills and, depending on the role, knowledge of qualitative methods or electronic data-collection platforms.
If your background matches the requirements, prepare a targeted English CV and application letter, indicate your preferred location, and submit your application through the designated recruitment platform before October 11, 2026.
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If you are looking for more Scholarships, research and NGO jobs in Ethiopia, explore our latest job and opportunity guides on The Index.
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