Research Officer at Concern Worldwide

Reports to: Technical Specialist (Nutrition, WASH and Surge)

Direct reports: None

Job Location: Marsabit

Contract Details:

One (1) Year Fixed Term Renewable Contract Subject to Availability of Funds and Performance

Starting Salary of the Pay Grade – Kes 99,197 per month

Job Summary:

The incumbent will provide technical direction, guidance and training as well as providing hands on support to Ministry of Health (MoH) and community groups in Marsabit County in the implementation of an operations research

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Programme Management and Development
  • Guiding the development of the research work plans in coordination with the project teams
  • Liaising with the local and county level with SHMT, Marsabit County Officials, and Health Facility Management Teams to enhance coordination and collaboration in program implementation and sustainability.
  • Provide technical assistance in the implementation of mother MUAC research, linking it with surge model scale up in Marsabit County
  • Timeline and financial tracking, with support of Technical Specialist, to ensure timely and effective deliverables of research agenda
  • Participate in quarterly strategy review and planning meetings with the project research team consisting of the HQ Technical Backstop, the Nutrition specialist and the Health and Nutrition Coordinator
• Operations Research
  • Contribute to the design of data collection tools, including surveys and qualitative interviews
  • Lead the ethical application process and ensure ethical standards are upheld throughout research project
  • Oversee data collection, data analysis and data synthesis, and ensure the use of effective data tools by all project staff and partners
  • Translate research findings into policy and programme recommendations and suggestions for the use of mother MUAC
  • Based on data, suggest additional analyses and highlight interesting findings
  • Document the research process as an integral part of the operations research
  • Assist in the completion and submission of Donor reports and lead research final reports
  • Dissemination
  • Draft technical documents based on the research findings for submission to the nutrition specialist and HQ Technical Backstop as needed
  • Contribute to research dissemination through involvement in technical working groups, global networks, conferences, and with other key stakeholders
  • Lead the drafting of manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals
  • At the national level, work with the Nutrition Specialist and Health and Nutrition Coordinator to lobby Kenya health ministries and offices to incorporate project and research findings into current practice.
• Representation
  • Attend national level technical meetings and conferences, as needed, to disseminate research results.
  • Respond to technical research questions from partners, international agencies or academic researchers related to the research (including research design, sample/group design, data management, confidentiality and other research ethics issues, and data analysis).
• Training/Mentoring
  • In partnership with the program team, contribute to capacity building of MoH and partner agency staff members.
  • Assist in the planning and coordination of trainings associated with the intervention of study
• Monitoring and Reporting
  • Monitoring the progress against objectives outlined in the program plans.
  • Preparing high quality written reports for Concern and donors (monthly, quarterly and annual) and others as required.
  • Conduct frequent field visits for monitoring to ensure effective research and programme implementation.
• Responding to Emergencies
  • Participate and contribute as necessary towards Concern’s emergency response as and when necessary
  • Comply with Concern’s health, safety and security guidelines during emergencies.
  • Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies
  • Adhere to the standards of conduct outlined in the Concern Code of Conduct & Associated Policies such as Programme Participant Protection Policy, Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy, Anti-Fraud Policy and the Anti-Trafficking Policy

Job Specification:

• A Degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Research Methods, Operations Research or relevant field
• At least three (3) years demonstrated work experience in research related positions or projects and/or programmes.
• Experience and knowledge of collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data, MOH systems, particularly at County and Sub County levels, child health and nutrition, specifically the diagnosis of undernutrition and behaviour change strategies
• High-level statistical analysis and statistical software package (e.g. SPSS, STATA, R) experience
• Qualitative analysis and use of qualitative software (e.g. NVivo) experience (desirable)
• Proven track record of academic dissemination through peer reviewed journals and/or conferences (desirable)
• Track record of securing ethical approval at institution and national levels (desirable)
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and analytical skills
• Creative thinking and solution building abilities
• Strategic thinking and operational planning capabilities
• Administrative and organisational abilities, including an eye for detail;
• Ability to work autonomously and in teams, and in a multi-cultural work environment;
• Demonstrated drive and initiative, a self-starter with a can-do attitude.
• Fluent in both spoken and written English and Kiswahili. Fluency in the local language/s is an added advantage

Note: Applicants that are undertaking research in fulfillment of a tertiary level degree (i.e. PhD) are strongly encouraged to apply. Successful candidates would take up this role in a full-time capacity and can use this research to complete their dissertations.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not exhaustive and may be revised by the line manager from time to time.