Research Officer at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

JOB PURPOSE: 

The mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin to humans and/or livestock holds potential to complement current malaria vector control tools and further reduce malaria transmission, moving us closer to the goal of malaria eradication. The BOHEMIA project (Broad One-Health Endectocide-based Malaria Intervention in Africa) will evaluate the MDA of ivermectin to humans and/or livestock in two African countries – Mozambique and Kenya - during the malaria season, and will collect data on the epidemiological and economic impact to support normative guidance, global and national policy change.

The economic impact assessment will provide a cost-effectiveness analysis and cost-benefit analysis that estimates economic and health impacts of iMDA at local and country-wide scales of implementation, when jointly implemented with other malaria prevention programs. Both provider and societal perspectives on cost-effectiveness will be calculated, including explicit measures of the impact of iMDA on human and livestock health and productivity.  The Health Economics Lead will oversee and/or directly perform data collection and analysis activities relevant to estimating the provider and societal costs and benefits associated with programmatic implementation of ivermectin MDA in humans and cattle in Kenya.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform literature reviews of relevant publications and summarize findings
• Track costs associated with delivery of services during the clinical trial
• If needed - Perform interviews with relevant stakeholders (e.g., local health care facilities, local animal health professionals, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture) to determine average health care costs associated with treatment of malaria and delivery of livestock veterinary care
• Oversee field teams responsible for delivery of health economic questionnaires
  • Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for questionnaire delivery
  • Train field workers in SOPs
  • Monitor field performance of teams and address any challenges that arise
• Attend regular virtual meetings with Health Economic Investigators (domestic and international) to ensure quality and completeness of data collection and interpretation
• Assist in summarizing country-level findings for interim and final project reports
• Potential for leading or participating in manuscript development and publication

QUALIFICATIONS:

• MSc in health economics, public health or any other related field from a reputable university
• An excellent academic track record as evidenced by grades for undergraduate and post-graduate training
• Proficiency in reading and writing in English and Kiswahili
• Experience performing literature reviews and summarizing/interpreting findings
• Basic statistical evaluation of quantitative data
• Basic economics
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Proficiency in R or other statistics software
• Advanced statistical knowledge; previous work with survey data analysis
• Experience in economics and economic analysis
• Experience with malaria-related research or program (desired, but not essential)
• Experience managing budgets associated with public health program implementation and knowledge of ongoing in-country public health interventions  (desired, but not essential)
• Experience with logistical operations related to personnel and material supply chains as part of public health programs (desired, but not essential)
• Experience in technical writing (desired, but not essential)
• Excellent organizational skills, team oriented, flexibility, adaptability and proactiveness.

COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrate high levels of integrity and confidentiality  
• Excellent interpersonal, written, presentation and communication skills  
• Good analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills;  
• Teamwork and ability to work with diverse teams  
• Strong Flexibility, adaptability, multi-tasking and attention to detail 
• Strong team coordination and Supervisory skills.  

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

• The workstation will be at the KEMRI Kwale, with occasional travel to KEMRI Wellcome Kilifi.
• Be available to work out of hours, if necessary.
• The work environment will include both office and field-based tasks.