Research Consultant – Study Coordinators- Nakuru at Population Services International (PSI)

Minimum Requirements:

• University Degree
• Fluency in English, Swahili, and a local study language
• Ability to contribute intellectually to the development of study designs, research instruments, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and training materials.
• Familiarity with the study approval processes including IRB, NACOSTI, county and other sub-national approval procedures
• Proven experience in study planning and overseeing field implementation in line with approved study protocols, budgets, and timelines.
• Strong quantitative or/and qualitative interviewing experience in sexual and reproductive health or immunization or health-oriented research studies (3-5 years research experience, preferred. 2-3 years’ experience as a research supervisor/data quality controller/ study coordinator (Desired)
• Strong leadership, communication, advocacy, mentorship, and problem-solving skills to navigate complex field realities.
• Ability to engage effectively with diverse research audiences, including senior government officials, non-state partners, county health management teams, and community members
• Proven experience in electronic data collection platforms, particularly ODK or SurveyCTO. Ability to program and troubleshoot data collection form is desired.
• Willingness to have a flexible working schedule (i.e., travelling to the study counties as needed and to work from PSI Kenya office located in Nairobi)
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines with excellent attention to detail and quality.
• Experience working with an NGO or a reputable research organization/institution.
• Ability to conduct preliminary data analysis and synthesis

Responsibilities and Duties

• Availability to attend in-person fieldwork training for the entire designated period. Training will be held centrally in Nairobi.
• Support the review of study materials including protocols, consent/assent forms, instruments, training and field SOPs/manuals.
• Support the development of detailed research work plans and field budgets
• Support the development of error-free electronic data collection forms using ODK/SurveyCTO platforms.
• Support to secure study approval at national and sub-national levels – including at the county, health facility, and community levels
• Overseeing high-quality implementation of field data collection and transcription – including training and mentorship of field teams and transcribers to ensure compliance with ethics and data quality standards
• Sign data confidentiality agreement and comply with stipulations.
• Manage study data (labelling, storage, safety, and confidentiality), informed consent forms and other study materials, and maintain equipment inventory as per the approved protocol.
• Manage and review field expense reports.
• Debrief regularly with the field teams and project management staff to share field updates and troubleshoot challenges.
• Support data cleaning, analysis, report writing, and dissemination activities
• Submit progress reports, including narrative and verifiable field expenses, using prescribed templates.