Research Associate II at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Research Associate II to support a household based human and livestock research study in Isiolo. Specific activities include obtaining consent from eligible study households, administering questionnaires, sampling and processing livestock tissue samples, treatment of study animals and supporting serological and syndromic surveillance in select sites in Isiolo County.

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. 

Key responsibilities

• Identify and obtain study consent from recruited households
• Conduct face-to-face interviews with the livestock owners and fill out an electronic tool completely and accurately
• Collect sera and tissues samples from livestock as per the study manual
• Ensure proper documentation, packaging, and shipping of samples to the specified lab locations
• Conduct bi-weekly calls to study households
• Coordinate quarterly sampling visits to study households
• Manage field supplies.
• Treatment of study animals
• Submit regular progress reports to the study coordinator and Principal Investigator
• Attend all study meetings on time and report on progress of work
• Complete any other duties assigned or delegated by Principal Investigator
• Safely operate motorcycle/bicycle in the field and maintain the motorcycle/bicycle records
• Diligently organize routine preventive maintenance of motorcycle and service
• Other duties related to the study as may be assigned by the Principal Investigator

Requirements

• Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine degree with a minimum of two year experience coordinating linked human-livestock field surveys in pastoral setting in northern Kenya or Diploma in relevant field with four years of relevant experience
• Research experience in community level disease surveillance research projects
• Be registered with the Kenya Veterinary Board
• Experience in collecting livestock tissues including blood and swabs
• Ability to admnister electronic questionnaire tools
• Ability to package, store and ship collected samples with strict observance of cold chain
• Be willing to work in Isiolo County during the contract period.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure without compromising  set deliverables

Post location: The position will be based in Isiolo, Kenya.