James Maina Kariuki

James Maina Kariuki Mobile : - Email :-Skype: jm-kariuki Personal Summary • Aged 34, Partnered and Catholic. • Proficient in English and Swahili (written and spoken). Basic in French (written and spoken). • Proficient in Microsoft office tools: Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook. • Fourthly, I believe in collaboration. "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." – Michael Jordan. • 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 ▪ Over Ten years’ hands on experience in both Market and Social research. ▪ Passionate about brands and what they stand for vis-à-vis customer perceptions, attitudes etc ▪ Keen in understanding and resolving societal challenges through scientific research solutions. ▪ Experienced in various research approaches e.g. secondary research, qualitative and quantitative methodologies. ▪ 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. ▪ 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. ▪ 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. -1- Project Management Professional ▪ Great in client service cultivation and etiquette. Achieved through regular communication and engagements with clients. ▪ 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. ▪ 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. ▪ 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. ▪ Experienced data collector through Mobile, familiar at scripting, data entry, cleaning and coding ▪ Fluid at monitoring and evaluating projects and instituting quality control measures. ▪ Knowledgeable in analysis of secondary and primary data. Furthermore, I am proficient in data analysis software’s i.e. SPSS and NVivo. ▪ 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 -2- Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Jan 2000 – Dec 2003 Kianyaga High School BProfessional Qualifications Achievements Work Experience ▪ Group Human Resource Director Ipsos ltd Pan Africa - Strength deployment inventory by Elias H. Porter (PHD). ▪ Family Health International - Research Ethics Training Curriculum. ▪ The Steadman Centre for applied research training in collaboration with Strathmore Business School. ▪ Dale Carnegie Kenya – Generation next. ▪ Safaricom, Coca Cola, Kenya Commercial Bank and Heineken account lead within Ipsos in Kenya and Sub Saharan Africa. ▪ Executed projects valued at over USD 150,000 throughout SSA in my final year at Ipsos Kenya ▪ Commendations from clients for exceptional work. My proof of concept is quality deliverables guaranteeing not only repeat business but lasting partnerships. ▪ Certificate of recognition from Ipsos Ltd. ▪ 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 ▪ Market Research o Facilitated corporate using various qualitative/quantitative approaches in finding solutions to their consumer market gaps and inefficiencies. ▪ 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 ▪ Client service and business development. This includes, -3- ▪ Proposal writing and approval. ▪ Local and multi country budget preparation and oversight. ▪ Client liaison and service. ▪ Ability to travel on short notice within Sub-Saharan Africa for field work and client engagements. ▪ Project management i.e. monitoring and evaluation of multiple projects running concurrently. Research (instrument development, training field staff, and data analysis). ▪ ▪ Report writing (Word and PowerPoint report). ▪ Dissemination of research findings to clients and key stakeholders. ▪ 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 • • • • • • • • • • • ▪ Qualitative and quantitative data collection through paper interviews (PAPI) and computer aided interviews (CAPI) ▪ 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:- -4-