JOBS: List of Items That You Need When Applying for A Job
When applying for a job, it is important to carry along or to have some of the most crucial documents that your employer would want to have a look at. These documents might be a good description of who you are even before you get hired by your employer.
Leah Mukangai 
In most cases, when an individual is being called for an interview, one is advised to carry along 'supporting' or any other 'relevant' documents.
This could cause confusion because the statement is not specific to what you should carry along. You might be frightened that may you might carry an irrelevant document that your employer might not be interested in.
Knowing what to include and how to include it will help you keep your chances of landing the role.
Supporting documents
A resume, cover letter, educational transcripts, writing samples, Veterans' Preference documents, portfolios, certifications, a reference list, letters of recommendation, and other documentation specified in the job posting can be submitted as supporting documentation for a job application.
Feel free to inquire with the hiring manager or HR representative about the type of supporting documentation to submit. Follow all of their instructions on what to send and how to send it.
Reason for carrying supporting documents
Obtaining supporting documentation from candidates aids in the evaluation of applications. Many employers believe that a resume (or a resume and cover letter) is sufficient. Other employers, on the other hand, may require more information to determine which applicants to interview and eventually hire. When applying for a job, you need to consider this.
The following should be considered:
1. Resume
A resume presents a concise picture of your skills and qualifications for a specific position, its length is dictated by years of experience (generally 1-2 pages). This is different from a Curriculum Vitae (CV) which basically highlights your academic credentials.
2. Cover letter
When applying for a job, a cover letter allows you to show your personal side while also demonstrating why hiring you is a wise decision. Cover letters should be three paragraphs long and include specific examples from your previous experience that demonstrate your qualifications for the position.
3. Reference list
With a space between each reference, list your references' names, job titles, companies, and contact information. Include at least three professional references who can attest to your ability to perform the job.
4. Letters of recommendation
A letter of recommendation is a letter written on an applicant's behalf by someone who can attest to that person's academic or professional performance. Typically, this letter is sent to an admissions officer or hiring manager who is considering a candidate for admission or employment.
5. Transcript
This is a certified record of a student's progress through a course of study that includes all courses attempted, grades earned, and degrees and awards conferred
6. Portfolio
It is a collection of work and other documents that demonstrate your skills to prospective employers It can be made in either digital or physical form.
7. Writing samples
They are intended to determine whether you have the necessary writing and, in some cases, research skills to complete the tasks of the position you seek.
8. Certificates
These are documents that state an official fact or demonstrate program completion.
Here's a job that you test the above recommendations. Good luck!
JOB: Field Manager at Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
About Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and promoting effective solutions to global poverty problems. In close partnership with decision-makers - the policymakers, practitioners, investors, and donors working with the poor around the world - IPA designs and evaluates potential solutions to poverty problems using randomized evaluations, the most rigorous evaluation method available.
Duties and Responsibilities
Survey Preparation
Help in reviewing study materials for local context and general understanding.
Assist in Pre-testing survey tools prior to planned fielding and provide constructive feedback on how to
improve the survey tools and protocols.
Helping with survey software programming on SurveyCTO.
HR and Finance
Arrange for transport, supplies, accommodation, venues, etc. needed by the team for fieldwork
Request and manage funds for the team
Manage staff appraisal and provide feedback as necessary to the RA/SRA and the enumerators
Report field staff hours and any other necessary information to IPA HR for payment
Promptly report any performance or other HR issues to IPA
Assist with training and capacity building for enumerators and other field staff including leading portions of the training.
General
- Schedule, prepare, and assign work, in consideration of timelines keeping in mind other relevant factors like security, weather, and logistics
- Helping in piloting and pretesting the survey instruments
- Electronic data consolidation at the end of each day, accounting for all households and respondents visited and relaying this to the RA/SRA.
- Ensure proper storage of all paper data in a secure, well-organized, and well-documented repository.
- Supervise enumerators conducting phone and household data collection and provide feedback to enumerators, and the RA/SRA.
- Participate in developing data quality assurance tools including back checks, high-frequency checks, and spot checks.
- Review high-frequency checks on collected data and provide feedback that will inform training and supervision.
- Contact respondents by phone to confirm a subset of their answers and ensure that the data is accurate.
- Interviewing or note-taking as needed.
- Manage compensation for respondents and distribute to enumerators as needed
- Coordinate with RA/SRA to improve the skills of data collection staff and the clarity of data collection
- Develop reporting tools with the project team and daily update the RA/SRA on the progress of data collection
- Maintain updated project inventory records, assigning to staff and coordinating with the procurement office for necessary action like insurance
- Help in forming and maintaining relations with relevant administrative and department heads and securing necessary approvals
- Obtain any introduction and permission letters needed for fieldwork
- Represent and explain the study to facility owners, local chiefs, and village elders and ask for support
- Managing the team day-to-day in the field
- Assist in training teams on electronic survey implementation and ensure that enumerators adhere to the training they received on data collection
- Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Required
- Bachelors’ degree in social sciences or related discipline or a Diploma with at least 2 years experience in field management.
- Excellent supervisory and management experience (2-4 years) managing data collection teams.
- Knowledge of quantitative or/and qualitative research methods.
- Ability to train field teams on the survey and data collection processes.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Kiswahili.
- Experience in conducting quality control including back checks and High-Frequency Checks.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite Especially MS Word and Excel.
- Experience working with stakeholders, especially government officials.
- Excellent team-building, interpersonal, and negotiating skills (ability to develop networks of useful contacts within and beyond the Unit).
- Proven analytical and problem-solving capability
- Excellent organizational and coordinating skills, including the ability to cope under pressure while maintaining a
- high level of accuracy and level-headedness as well as meticulous attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and under supervision, as appropriate, assessing priorities and managing workload effectively.
- Flexible, committed, reliable, and enthusiastic approach with the ability to work as part of a team with staff at all levels.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- The ability to use initiative and creativity to resolve problems and identify and assess practical options.
- Self-motivated with a proactive and flexible approach to work and a willingness to learn and develop Desired
- Knowledge in SurveyCTO is an added advantage
- Experience working with STATA
- Some experience designing survey forms.
