James Maina Kariuki
Mobile : -
Email :-Skype: jm-kariuki
Personal Summary
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Aged 34, Partnered and Catholic.
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Proficient in English and Swahili (written and spoken). Basic in French (written and spoken).
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Proficient in Microsoft office tools: Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook.
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Fourthly, I believe in collaboration. "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win
championships." – Michael Jordan.
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Lastly, I am an optimist who believes that challenges in life are just but barriers to be overcome.
“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”- Colin Powell.
In summation, I intend to grow in my career whilst adding value to the organization that I work for.
Summary of Experience
Market and Social Science Research Professional
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Over Ten years’ hands on experience in both Market and Social research.
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Passionate about brands and what they stand for vis-à-vis customer perceptions, attitudes etc
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Keen in understanding and resolving societal challenges through scientific research solutions.
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Experienced in various research approaches e.g. secondary research, qualitative and quantitative
methodologies.
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Extensive experience across various research studies e.g. Social, Political, Economic and
Consumer (SPEC) surveys, Baseline studies, EndLine studies, Particpatory research, User
experience (UX-Testing), Market understanding and strategy, Segmentation studies, Product and
concept evaluation, Communication testing, Usage and attitude studies, Brand health audits
among others.
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Familiar with various data collection methods e.g. secondary data reviews, face to face
interviews, focus group discussions, ethnographies/immersions, and in-depth interviews/key
Informant interviews.
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Holistic engagements in different sectors i.e. International Non Governmental Organizations,
International Government Organizations,Mulitilateral Institutions, Foundations, Government of
Kenya, Corporates and Small and Medium Enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Project Management Professional
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Great in client service cultivation and etiquette. Achieved through regular communication and
engagements with clients.
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In depth understanding of the client’s business or thematic areas of operations. This includes
intrinsic knowledge of client’s brands and social development issues whilst providing valuable
strategic insights through scientific data.
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Fluid in project set up in line with the study objectives, best scientific data collection approach,
management of the project within agreed timelines and resources.
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Excellent trainer of field supervisors, interviewers and data collectors. I currently supervise
research assistants and between 5 – 10 supervisors/interviewers depending on the project scope.
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Experienced data collector through Mobile, familiar at scripting, data entry, cleaning and coding
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Fluid at monitoring and evaluating projects and instituting quality control measures.
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Knowledgeable in analysis of secondary and primary data. Furthermore, I am proficient in data
analysis software’s i.e. SPSS and NVivo.
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Seasoned report writer in Word and PowerPoint with actionable recommendations to clients and
key stakeholders.
Key clients handled include World Bank, Heineken, USAID, Coca Cola, Ford Foundation, Safaricom PLC,
Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA), Barclays Bank PLC, Brookings Institute, KCB Group, Lego Foundation, Save
the Children, British Broadcasting Corporation, MKopa, d.Light, International Republican Institute,
Brookings Institute, and Total, Diageo among many others.
Academic
Master of Arts in International Studies
Qualifications
Scope: Foreign Policy Formulation, International Economics, International Economic
Policy Analysis, International Diplomacy, International Political Systems, International
Relations, International Law, Social Science Research Methods among others.
Sep 2016- Sep 2018
University of Nairobi
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Scope: Major in Broadcast Journalism with a Minor in Marketing
Jan 2005 - Dec 2008
United States International University-Africa
Upper second-class honors
Diploma in Institute of Management of Information Systems - (IMIS - UK)
Scope: Business Communication, Financial and Quantitative Methods, Programming
Project among others.
Jan 2004 – Dec2004
Strathmore University
Merit
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Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
Jan 2000 – Dec 2003
Kianyaga High School
BProfessional
Qualifications
Achievements
Work
Experience
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Group Human Resource Director Ipsos ltd Pan Africa - Strength deployment
inventory by Elias H. Porter (PHD).
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Family Health International - Research Ethics Training Curriculum.
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The Steadman Centre for applied research training in collaboration with
Strathmore Business School.
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Dale Carnegie Kenya – Generation next.
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Safaricom, Coca Cola, Kenya Commercial Bank and Heineken account lead within
Ipsos in Kenya and Sub Saharan Africa.
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Executed projects valued at over USD 150,000 throughout SSA in my final year at
Ipsos Kenya
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Commendations from clients for exceptional work. My proof of concept is quality
deliverables guaranteeing not only repeat business but lasting partnerships.
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Certificate of recognition from Ipsos Ltd.
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Member of Market and Social Research Associations (MSRA)
January 2019 – To date
Current title: Business Partner - Qualitative Research & Strategy Lead
Company: InsightsDomain (Africa) - www.insightsdomain.africa
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Market Research
o Facilitated corporate using various qualitative/quantitative approaches
in finding solutions to their consumer market gaps and inefficiencies.
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Social Research
o Under current development model, provided monitoring, verification
and evaluation of projects for development driven institutions.
o Under the innovations model, provided solutions that are human
centered thus addressing pertinent developmental issues of the 21st
century.
May 2015 - December 2018
Previous title: Research Executive/Senior Research Executive
Company: Ipsos is the 3rd largest market/social research firm in the world operating in
more than 85 countries. It has revenues of more than ₤1Bn and employs over 16,000
staff worldwide. Ipsos offers operational excellence, functional expertise and client
satisfaction through research.
Responsibilities
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Client service and business development. This includes,
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Proposal writing and approval.
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Local and multi country budget preparation and oversight.
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Client liaison and service.
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Ability to travel on short notice within Sub-Saharan Africa for field work
and client engagements.
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Project management i.e. monitoring and evaluation of multiple projects
running concurrently.
Research (instrument development, training field staff, and data analysis).
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Report writing (Word and PowerPoint report).
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Dissemination of research findings to clients and key stakeholders.
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Corporate social responsibility (52 Hours a year).
Jan 2009– April 2015
Past title: Contractual Research Assistant
Length of contract: One to six months contracts at 60% hit rate per annum.
Organizations: FHI360, Population Council, Intrahealth International, Kemri-Wellcome
Trust, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Transparency International, Management
Sciences for Health, Ministry of Health Kenya, Ministry of Education Kenya, KantarMillward Brown, Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor among others
Responsibilities
Referees
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Qualitative and quantitative data collection through paper interviews
(PAPI) and computer aided interviews (CAPI)
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Data entry, analysis and report writing.
Douglas Gavala
Regional Insights and Strategy Manager – Africa
d.light
Nairobi, Kenya
Cell: -
Email:-Elizabeth Injairu
Service Line Lead – Qualitative Research Ipsos UU
Ipsos Ltd
97 Acorn House - James Gichuru Rd – Lavington
Cell: -
Email:-Thomas P. Wolf (D. Phil.)
Citizenship: USA
Work status: Research Analyst
Cell: -
Email:-
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