Association for International Solidarity in Asia Vacancy for Research Assistant
Research Assistant: E-ticketing Adoption Study
1. Background
The Association for International Solidarity in Asia (ASIA) Nepal is implementing an applied research study on the adoption and use of open-loop e-ticketing in Nepal’s public transport sector under the Sustainable Electric Transport for Nepal (SET4NPL) programme.
SET4NPL is financed by the Mitigation Action Facility and jointly implemented in Nepal by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), in close cooperation with the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) and other relevant partners.
The study will examine how passengers and transport operators respond to the introduction of e-ticketing, with particular attention to passenger payment behaviour, user experience, fare collection practices of drivers and conductors, and changes in day-to-day transport operations.
The research will accompany the phased rollout of e-ticketing, beginning in Kathmandu Valley and subsequently extending to intercity and rural routes. This phased approach will allow the study to generate evidence across different transport settings and stages of implementation, including how adoption, use, and operational experiences evolve as e-ticketing is introduced.
2. Position at a Glance
Position: Research Assistant: E-ticketing Adoption Study
Organization: ASIA Nepal
Programme: SET4NPL
Reports to: Field Research Specialist
Works closely with: Project team and field team
Duty station: Kathmandu, with regular travel to study locations within Nepal
Contract type: Full-time fixed-term employment
Contract duration: 6 months from the date of employment, with possibility of extension to 10 months
Remuneration:
Up to NPR 75,000 gross per month, exclusive of applicable pro-rata
Dashain allowance, depending on qualifications and experience
Expected start date: As soon as possible, and no later than mid-September 2026
3. Purpose of the Position
The Research Assistant will provide practical and technical support across the research cycle, from evidence review and research preparation to fieldwork coordination, data-quality assurance, data management, preliminary analysis, and research documentation.
Working under the guidance of the Field Research Specialist, the Research Assistant will help translate the approved research design into well-organized field implementation and ensure that research data are complete, consistent, accurately documented, and ready for analysis.
A particular focus of the position will be supporting and coordinating the enumerator team during primary data collection. The Research Assistant will monitor fieldwork progress, conduct routine
data-quality checks, support resolution of field-level challenges, and maintain systematic records of research activities.
The position will therefore combine research skills, field coordination, data management, analytical ability, and strong attention to detail.
4. Key Areas of Responsibility
4.1. Evidence Review and Literature
Conduct literature reviews on e-ticketing, digital payments, public transport, mobility, transport behavior, and related topics.
Review relevant academic literature, policies, regulations, government documents, reports, and national, regional, and international evidence.
Identify relevant evidence, good practices, knowledge gaps, and emerging issues.
Prepare literature summaries, evidence notes, and background materials to inform the study.
4.2.Research Preparation and Tool Development
Support the refinement and operationalization of the research design, methodology, and fieldwork plan.
Assist in the development, review, translation, and piloting of questionnaires, interview guides, observation checklists, and other research instruments.
Support implementation of sampling and respondent-selection procedures in accordance with the approved study design.
Prepare enumerator guidelines, fieldwork protocols, training materials, and data-quality checklists.
Support enumerator training and orientation on research instruments, field procedures, informed consent, ethical requirements, and data-quality standards.
Document issues identified during piloting and supporting revisions to research tools and field procedures.
Support preparation of enumerator deployment plans, fieldwork schedules, and monitoring mechanisms.
4.3.Enumerator Coordination, Fieldwork Monitoring, and Data Quality
Coordinate with enumerators on field schedules, targets, sampling requirements, and implementation procedures.
Provide day-to-day technical and operational support to enumerators during fieldwork.
Monitor fieldwork progress against agreed targets, timelines, sampling requirements, and research protocols.
Review incoming data regularly to identify missing information, inconsistencies, duplicate records, unusual responses, and other potential quality issues.
Provide timely feedback to enumerators and support corrective action where required.
Maintain fieldwork progress and data-quality monitoring trackers.
Support troubleshooting of technical, logistical, and field-level challenges.
Support field visit and spot-checks to monitor adherence to research protocols and data-quality standards.
Document field-level challenges, observations, respondent feedback, and emerging issues that may be relevant to the study.
Support adherence to informed consent, confidentiality, ethical research, and data-protection requirements.
4.4 Data Management and Analysis
Organize, compile, clean, code, and maintain quantitative and qualitative research datasets.
Conduct descriptive analysis of survey data, including frequencies, proportions, cross-tabulations, and other relevant summaries.
Support the organization, coding, and thematic analysis of qualitative data.
Support comparison of findings across relevant passenger groups, transport operators, routes, locations, and stages of e-ticketing implementation.
Support triangulation of findings across surveys, interviews, observations, and secondary sources.
Flag important patterns, inconsistencies, unexpected findings, or data gaps.
4.5.Research Documentation, Reporting, and Coordination
Prepare fieldwork updates, data-quality summaries, interview summaries, meeting notes, and other research documentation.
Contribute to the preparation of research reports, technical notes, policy briefs, presentations, and other study outputs.
Maintain systematic documentation of research activities, fieldwork, datasets, instruments, literature, and other study materials.
Support coordination with enumerators, SET4NPL team members, government agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.
5. Required Qualifications and Experience
Essential
Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience, or Master’s degree with a minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience, in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Transportation Engineering or Planning, Rural Development, Sociology, Public Policy, Public Health, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
Relevant experience in research, fieldwork coordination, data management, data analysis, or project implementation.
Demonstrated experience in designing and supporting surveys, interviews, enumerator-led data collection, field research, or similar research activities.
Ability to work systematically with quantitative and qualitative data.
Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Nepali.
Ability to work independently as well as effectively within a research team.
Willingness and ability to undertake fieldwork and travel within Nepal.
Desirable
Experience using digital data-collection platforms such as Kobo Toolbox, ODK, Google Forms, or similar tools.
Experience with statistical or data-analysis software such as SPSS, Stata, R, Nvivo, or equivalent tools.
6. Working Arrangements
The Research Assistant will be based in Kathmandu and will work closely with the Field Research Specialist and wider SET4NPL team. The position will require travel within the Kathmandu Valley and, as the e-ticketing rollout progresses, to selected intercity and rural transport routes. Working hours may require flexibility during periods of intensive enumerator training, fieldwork, and other time-sensitive research activities.
7. Application Process
Interested candidates are requested to submit:
Updated CV (maximum 3 pages)
Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
Names and contact details of two professional referees
Application deadline: Monday, 31 August 2026, 17:00
Applications should be sent to: e.assini@asia-ngo.org(cc prinkasingh8848@gmail.com and n.gurung@asia-ngo.org).
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a written assessment and interview on 4 September 2026.