Research Officer -Social Science at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

JOB PURPOSE: 

To take on early career role within a team conducting a set of linked activities (literature reviews, review of existing data, conducting new empirical work and consultations with stakeholders) aimed improving outcomes of young children discharged from hospital. The activities aim to better understand the discharge and post-discharge process from the point of view of relevant stakeholders, and to work with those stakeholders to co-design, iteratively implement and evaluate a package of interventions that can be introduced through the Kenyan health system.  These activities will be conducted in partnership with two large multidisciplinary research teams already working in hospitals in Kenya and in other countries:  The CHAIN and the HIGH-Q research teams

SPECIFIC ROLES WILL BE TO: 

• Conduct the following activities as agreed with team leads:
  • analyses of existing relevant qualitative data, including through developing research questions to guide the analysis, and charts to summarize data across stakeholder groups and locations.
  • qualitative research that includes non-participant observation, interviews and focus group discussions to help understand post-discharge care for vulnerable young children, the roles and challenges faced by different providers involved in providing care, and ensuring continuums of care for families.   
• Review literature on interventions with potential for positive impact on child outcomes post discharge from hospital, including on cash-transfers, communication interventions, introduction of new tools and technologies and systems redesign.
• Participate in team meetings and consultations with national and international stakeholders to review emerging learning and develop intervention plans and designs
• Contribute to report writing for international publication and presentations of the work at national and international levels

To gain a better understanding of the topics on which the post-holder will work applicants are encouraged to read some of the group’s recent work:

• Uddin MF, Molyneux S, Muraya K, Hossain MA, Islam MA, Shahid A, Zakayo SM, Njeru RW, Jemutai J, Berkley JA, Walson JL, Ahmed T, Sarma H, Chisti MJ. Gender-related influences on adherence to advice and treatment-seeking guidance for infants and young children post-hospital discharge in Bangladesh. Int J Equity Health 2021;20(1):64.
• Muraya K, Ogutu M, Mwadhi M, Mikusa J, Okinyi M, Magawi C, Zakayo S, Njeru R, Haribondhu S, Uddin MF, Marsh V, Walson JL, Berkley J, Molyneux S. Applying a gender lens to understand pathways through care for acutely ill young children in Kenyan urban informal settlements. Int J Equity Health 2021;20(1):17.
• Njeru RW, Uddin MF, Zakayo SM, Sanga G, Charo A, Islam MA, Hossain MA, Kimani M, Mwadhi MK, Ogutu M, Chisti MJ, Ahmed T, Walson JL, Berkley JA, Jones C, Theobald S, Muraya K, Sarma H, Molyneux S. Strengthening the role of community health workers in supporting the recovery of ill, undernourished children post hospital discharge: qualitative insights from key stakeholders in Bangladesh and Kenya. BMC Health Serv Res 2021;21(1):1234.
• Theobald S, Morgan R, Hawkins K, Ssali S, George A, Molyneux S. The importance of gender analysis in research for health systems strengthening. Health Policy Plan 2017;32(suppl_5):v1-v3. doi: 10.1093/heapol/czx163 [published Online First: 2017/12/16] PMC5886229
• Nzinga J, Boga M, Kagwanja N, Waithaka D, Barasa E, Tsofa B, Gilson L, Molyneux S. An innovative leadership development initiative to support building everyday resilience in health systems. Health Policy Plan 2021;36(7):1023-35.

As part of a wider contribution and as a part of the Health Systems Research Theme that spans the KWTRP sites in Nairobi and Kilifi the post-holder may partake in internal social science methodological workshops and shared learning sessions. In Nairobi where this post is based they will be expected to participate in internal seminars and journal clubs.

Essential Qualifications:

• Masters in a public/global health, health systems, health policy, or development studies or related field with predominant use
• Training in mixed methods or qualitative research
• At least 3 years relevant working experience

Essential skills

• Skills in conduct of qualitative research methods ideally including participant/non-participant observation, interviews etc
• Skills in qualitative data analysis and where appropriate use of qualitative data software (Nvivo)
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage across a multi-disciplinary team

Preferable:

• Excellent understanding of the Kenyan health system
• Research experience in human resources for health or maternal, newborn and child health
• Ability to work relatively independently to achieve agreed objectives
• Willingness to travel within Kenya and spend time conducting fieldwork in hospitals
• Focus on timely delivery of objectives