- Thu Dec 11, 2025 12:51 am#10705
Preparation Guide for the Position of “গবেষনা সহকারী (কর্মী স্তর: ৮.ক)” at Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK)
1. Understand the Role and Its Core Responsibilities
- Collect, organise and manage data related to micro‑credit and development projects.
- Enter data accurately into databases and perform statistical analysis.
- Prepare research proposals, write reports and draft presentation material.
- Build and maintain project‑specific databases.
- Collaborate closely with multiple teams inside the organisation (M&E, finance, field operations, etc.).
2. Verify Eligibility Criteria
- Age: maximum 35 years (flexible for highly experienced candidates).
- Education: Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, Development Studies, Public Health, Statistics, Sociology or a closely related field.
- Experience: minimum 3 years in NGOs, development agencies or micro‑credit institutions, with proven work in research, questionnaire design, data collection, data entry, and report writing.
- Technical Skills: strong command of KOBO Toolbox, NVivo, SPSS, STATA and general computer usage.
- Language: ability to write clearly in English (and Bengali).
3. Gather Required Documents
Prepare clean, recent copies of the following items (all should be legible and photocopied):
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) – max two pages, highlighting relevant education, work experience, technical skills and publications.
- National ID card copy.
- One recent passport‑size photograph (colour, on white background).
- Original and attested copies of academic certificates (graduation and master’s degree).
- Experience certificates or letters from previous employers confirming at least three years of relevant work.
- Any certifications for KOBO, NVivo, SPSS, STATA (optional but beneficial).
4. CV and Cover Letter Tailoring
- Use a clear, professional format; start with personal details, then a concise personal statement aligning your career goals with DSK’s mission of poverty alleviation.
- Under “Professional Experience”, list each role chronologically, focusing on:
• Research projects undertaken, scope and objectives.
• Specific tools used (e.g., “Performed data cleaning and analysis using SPSS (v27) for a micro‑credit impact study”).
• Outcomes – reports published, proposals won, policy recommendations adopted.
- Add a “Technical Skills” section that lists KOBO Toolbox, NVivo, SPSS, STATA, MS Excel, GIS (if any).
- In the cover letter, address the following points:
1. Why you are interested in DSK and this position.
2. How your academic background supports the role.
3. Concrete examples of research work in NGOs or micro‑credit.
4. Your ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
5. Commitment to gender equality, diversity and the values stated by DSK.
5. Prepare for the Written/Technical Test
- Review basic and intermediate concepts of statistical analysis (descriptive statistics, t‑tests, chi‑square, regression) in SPSS and STATA.
- Practice data entry and cleaning using KOBO Toolbox; simulate a short survey, export data, and perform a quick analysis.
- Refresh qualitative data coding techniques in NVivo (create nodes, code transcripts, generate reports).
- Re‑visit questionnaire design principles: sampling, question wording, scaling, pilot testing.
- Solve sample case studies on micro‑credit impact assessment – focus on indicator selection, baseline vs. endline comparison.
6. Interview Preparation
- Organisation Knowledge: Study DSK’s website (www.dskbangladesh.org) – its history, major projects, donor portfolio, and recent publications.
- Sector Understanding: Be ready to discuss poverty alleviation strategies, rural development, micro‑finance models in Bangladesh, and current challenges (e.g., post‑COVID recovery, climate‑related vulnerabilities).
- Behavioural Questions: Prepare STAR (Situation‑Task‑Action‑Result) stories for:
• Leading a research team under tight deadlines.
• Resolving data quality issues.
• Communicating technical findings to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Working with diverse teams (gender, ethnic, senior‑junior).
- Technical Demonstration: You may be asked to perform a short data‑analysis task on the spot or explain how you would set up a KOBO survey for a new micro‑credit pilot. Practice explaining your thought process clearly.
7. Application Submission Timeline
- Deadline: 23 December 2025 (inclusive).
- Submit the hard‑copy package to:
Human Resources & Administration Department, Dushtha Shasthya Kendra, House‑741, Road‑09, Baitul Aman Housing Society, Adabor, Mohammadpur, Dhaka‑1207.
Ensure the envelope is clearly labelled with the post‑name “গবেষনা সহকারী”.
- Alternatively, send a scanned PDF of the complete application (all documents in one PDF, file size <5 MB) to dskhr@dskbangladesh.org. Use the exact post‑name in the email subject line.
- If you prefer the online portal, upload the same PDF to https://career.dskbangladesh.org/ before the deadline.
8. Follow‑Up After Submission
- Keep a copy of the receipt (if submitted by post) or a screenshot of the online submission confirmation.
- Mark your calendar for potential written test dates – DSK will contact shortlisted candidates via email or mobile phone.
- Prepare any additional documents they may request (e.g., reference letters, proof of age).
9. Additional Tips for Success
- Emphasise any experience working directly with micro‑credit beneficiaries, especially in rural settings – this aligns with the “priority for indigenous and female candidates” clause.
- If you have more than three years of experience, highlight this early; it may allow the age limit to be relaxed.
- Demonstrate familiarity with DSK’s values: non‑sectarian, democratic, zero‑tolerance for harassment and corruption. Mention any voluntary work or community engagement that reflects these principles.
- Dress formally for any in‑person assessment; a simple business suit (men) or formal blouse with trousers/skirt (women) is appropriate.
10. Checklist (to be completed before 23 Dec 2025)
□ Verify age and eligibility
□ Update CV and cover letter (tailored to DSK)
□ Compile all required documents (ID, photograph, certificates, experience letters)
□ Scan documents into a single PDF (if using email/online)
□ Practice KOBO, NVivo, SPSS, STATA tasks
□ Review DSK’s recent reports and project summaries
□ Prepare STAR stories for behavioural interview
□ Submit hard copy, email, and/or online application before deadline
□ Keep submission receipt and note contact details for follow‑up
Good luck with your application! If you follow these steps systematically, you will present a strong, well‑rounded profile that matches DSK’s requirements for the Research Assistant position.
1. Understand the Role and Its Core Responsibilities
- Collect, organise and manage data related to micro‑credit and development projects.
- Enter data accurately into databases and perform statistical analysis.
- Prepare research proposals, write reports and draft presentation material.
- Build and maintain project‑specific databases.
- Collaborate closely with multiple teams inside the organisation (M&E, finance, field operations, etc.).
2. Verify Eligibility Criteria
- Age: maximum 35 years (flexible for highly experienced candidates).
- Education: Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, Development Studies, Public Health, Statistics, Sociology or a closely related field.
- Experience: minimum 3 years in NGOs, development agencies or micro‑credit institutions, with proven work in research, questionnaire design, data collection, data entry, and report writing.
- Technical Skills: strong command of KOBO Toolbox, NVivo, SPSS, STATA and general computer usage.
- Language: ability to write clearly in English (and Bengali).
3. Gather Required Documents
Prepare clean, recent copies of the following items (all should be legible and photocopied):
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) – max two pages, highlighting relevant education, work experience, technical skills and publications.
- National ID card copy.
- One recent passport‑size photograph (colour, on white background).
- Original and attested copies of academic certificates (graduation and master’s degree).
- Experience certificates or letters from previous employers confirming at least three years of relevant work.
- Any certifications for KOBO, NVivo, SPSS, STATA (optional but beneficial).
4. CV and Cover Letter Tailoring
- Use a clear, professional format; start with personal details, then a concise personal statement aligning your career goals with DSK’s mission of poverty alleviation.
- Under “Professional Experience”, list each role chronologically, focusing on:
• Research projects undertaken, scope and objectives.
• Specific tools used (e.g., “Performed data cleaning and analysis using SPSS (v27) for a micro‑credit impact study”).
• Outcomes – reports published, proposals won, policy recommendations adopted.
- Add a “Technical Skills” section that lists KOBO Toolbox, NVivo, SPSS, STATA, MS Excel, GIS (if any).
- In the cover letter, address the following points:
1. Why you are interested in DSK and this position.
2. How your academic background supports the role.
3. Concrete examples of research work in NGOs or micro‑credit.
4. Your ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
5. Commitment to gender equality, diversity and the values stated by DSK.
5. Prepare for the Written/Technical Test
- Review basic and intermediate concepts of statistical analysis (descriptive statistics, t‑tests, chi‑square, regression) in SPSS and STATA.
- Practice data entry and cleaning using KOBO Toolbox; simulate a short survey, export data, and perform a quick analysis.
- Refresh qualitative data coding techniques in NVivo (create nodes, code transcripts, generate reports).
- Re‑visit questionnaire design principles: sampling, question wording, scaling, pilot testing.
- Solve sample case studies on micro‑credit impact assessment – focus on indicator selection, baseline vs. endline comparison.
6. Interview Preparation
- Organisation Knowledge: Study DSK’s website (www.dskbangladesh.org) – its history, major projects, donor portfolio, and recent publications.
- Sector Understanding: Be ready to discuss poverty alleviation strategies, rural development, micro‑finance models in Bangladesh, and current challenges (e.g., post‑COVID recovery, climate‑related vulnerabilities).
- Behavioural Questions: Prepare STAR (Situation‑Task‑Action‑Result) stories for:
• Leading a research team under tight deadlines.
• Resolving data quality issues.
• Communicating technical findings to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Working with diverse teams (gender, ethnic, senior‑junior).
- Technical Demonstration: You may be asked to perform a short data‑analysis task on the spot or explain how you would set up a KOBO survey for a new micro‑credit pilot. Practice explaining your thought process clearly.
7. Application Submission Timeline
- Deadline: 23 December 2025 (inclusive).
- Submit the hard‑copy package to:
Human Resources & Administration Department, Dushtha Shasthya Kendra, House‑741, Road‑09, Baitul Aman Housing Society, Adabor, Mohammadpur, Dhaka‑1207.
Ensure the envelope is clearly labelled with the post‑name “গবেষনা সহকারী”.
- Alternatively, send a scanned PDF of the complete application (all documents in one PDF, file size <5 MB) to dskhr@dskbangladesh.org. Use the exact post‑name in the email subject line.
- If you prefer the online portal, upload the same PDF to https://career.dskbangladesh.org/ before the deadline.
8. Follow‑Up After Submission
- Keep a copy of the receipt (if submitted by post) or a screenshot of the online submission confirmation.
- Mark your calendar for potential written test dates – DSK will contact shortlisted candidates via email or mobile phone.
- Prepare any additional documents they may request (e.g., reference letters, proof of age).
9. Additional Tips for Success
- Emphasise any experience working directly with micro‑credit beneficiaries, especially in rural settings – this aligns with the “priority for indigenous and female candidates” clause.
- If you have more than three years of experience, highlight this early; it may allow the age limit to be relaxed.
- Demonstrate familiarity with DSK’s values: non‑sectarian, democratic, zero‑tolerance for harassment and corruption. Mention any voluntary work or community engagement that reflects these principles.
- Dress formally for any in‑person assessment; a simple business suit (men) or formal blouse with trousers/skirt (women) is appropriate.
10. Checklist (to be completed before 23 Dec 2025)
□ Verify age and eligibility
□ Update CV and cover letter (tailored to DSK)
□ Compile all required documents (ID, photograph, certificates, experience letters)
□ Scan documents into a single PDF (if using email/online)
□ Practice KOBO, NVivo, SPSS, STATA tasks
□ Review DSK’s recent reports and project summaries
□ Prepare STAR stories for behavioural interview
□ Submit hard copy, email, and/or online application before deadline
□ Keep submission receipt and note contact details for follow‑up
Good luck with your application! If you follow these steps systematically, you will present a strong, well‑rounded profile that matches DSK’s requirements for the Research Assistant position.
