Freelance Data Collector

Us

ERSTE Foundation has initiated an Open Future Lab, a dedicated research and design unit addressing financial well-being at large. Open Future Lab is a curious, purpose-driven, people-first, evidence-based and future-building lab. A collaborative social change agent and facilitator exploring and designing financial life. We focus on challenging the status quo of the financial world from the outside in, aiming to develop a more equitable and improved financial future for all. Collaborating with an ever-expanding network of partners, we strive to bridge the gap between the everyday lives of people, academic insights, and real- world applications. By transforming research into practical strategies and designs, we advocate for people-centric and forward-looking changes in the industry, policymaking, and society.

Role

We are seeking freelance data collectors to help gather valuable insights from different target audiences. As a data collector, you will act, for example, as an interviewer, focus group leader, and prototype testing facilitator to collect data, which you will later organise, clean, and deliver to the research team.

Responsibilities

• Identifying and contacting participants who match the sampling strategy (i.e., target group).
• Using various, mostly qualitative, data collection methods (e.g., conducting interviews, running focus groups, etc.) in line with the research purpose.
• Following all established protocols and procedures for data collection, cleaning, and preparation, including translating data into English.
• Providing honest and insightful contextual notes (e.g., emotional state of participants) from the research process.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a university or holding a degree in the social sciences (e.g., sociology, anthropology, economics, psychology, etc.).
• Possesses strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently and adhere to established protocols and procedures.
• Exhibits a keen interest in research, with a focus on qualitative research methods.
• Maintains neutrality and respect towards participants, ensuring that their responses are not influenced during data collection.

Offer

The work will be project-based, and we do not offer employment contracts. However, we look forward to long-term partnerships with the chosen data collectors. The compensation amount and format will be agreed upon for each project and will reflect the time and effort required.Freelancers are required to issue a proper invoice and are responsible for paying all applicable taxes and duties.To assist with the research process, we offer training on research methods, as well as frameworks and information on useful tools when needed.We are open to discussing the possibilities of using the collected data in your studies, such as for thesis or research work.We celebrate diversity, which fuels creativity and empowers our community. As an advocate for equal opportunities, we are committed to providing equal opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.If you are interested in being a freelance data collector, and contribute to designing the future of financial life, please send an e-mail to hello at openfuturelab dot org, and we go from there.