Careers at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

For the Population and Health Impact Surveillance Research Unit and under the direction of the supervisors to:

• Conduct a scoping review to characterise features of 'hardship areas' as an established and emerging concept
• Collate, clean and fully characterise data and associated contextual meta-data from across SSA that would enable multiple attributes of hardship areas (based on the scoping review) to be mapped across sub-Saharan Africa
• Undertake geospatial analysis of data to understand the geographic distribution of different features of hardship areas, their overlap, and the size of populations living in hardship areas together with a mapping of the hospitals in these areas - with appropriate support and ensuring these analyses are well document.
• Develop written reports on the analyses conducted and their interpretation.
• Develop peer-reviewed manuscript quality reports for submission for publication.
• Contribute to the wider scientific activities of the Population and Health Impact Surveillance Research Unit, the Health Services Unit and the Nairobi Programme of KEMRI-Wellcome in Kenya
• Support consultations and collaboration with researchers within the AFRHiCARE partnership and stakeholders in local, regional and national governments and key donors
• And any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful applicant will have:

• Recognised Postgraduate qualification (Masters) relevant to the field of epidemiological research, statistics, or geostatistics – those with broader global health and/or public health training at Masters level with a strong quantitative analytic component may also be considered.
• Evidence of academic excellence based on performance in primary degree and/or Masters’ level training.
• At least 3 years’ experience in research with demonstrated experience in collecting, analysing and interpreting a range of quantitative data.
• Experience in the analysis and interpretation of complex and/or large data sets
• Proficiency in one or more statistical packages or programming languages
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills
• Experience in undertaking research in a cross-cultural context
• A record of publishing and presenting research results relative to opportunity.
• Demonstrated interest in public health and demonstrated knowledge and working experience of Kenyan Health system, added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to act with sound judgement, sensitivity, and flexibility, and to exercise initiative in adapting preferred approaches when and where required.
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking systematic literature reviews (preferable)

COMPETENCIES:

• Prior experience of geospatial analyses with recognised software (eg. ArcGIS) is highly desirable.
• Experience in use of STATA and / or ‘R’ for analysis of health data and/or experience of computer programming languages.
• Have high energy, clear goal orientation and a strong work ethic.
• Strong organisation/programme management skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and work within tight deadlines.
• Ability to write clearly for a scientific audience and to present clearly to non-academic audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment and to multi-task

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:

• Office based
• Field work in selected counties in Kenya.
• Willingness to travel throughout the country.

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JOB PURPOSE: 

The research officer will be responsible for 1) Supporting a body of work focused on examining the impact, implementation, and political economy of primary healthcare interventions 2) Support policy engagement initiatives of HERU.

Description: 

REPORTS TO:  Study PI and Study Supervisor.

DIRECTLY SUPERVISES: N/A

INDIRECTLY SUPERVISES: N/A

BUDGET AND RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY:  None

JOB DIMENSIONS:

The primary responsibility will be to support a body of work focused on evaluating primary healthcare interventions aimed at achieving universal health coverage in Kenya.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

For the Health Economics Research Unit (HERU) to:

• Develop research proposals for ethics and scientific review.
• Lead the implementation of studies once ethics review has been obtained.
• Lead the analysis and write-up of study findings.
• Support HERU policy engagement initiatives
• And any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful applicant will have:

• A bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery (MBChB, MBBS or equivalent).
• At least two years post-qualification experience in medical practice or health research environment.
• Experience and skills in conducting evaluations in primary healthcare, and broader policy and systems research
• Qualitative data analysis skills using NVIVO as a minimum.
• A licensed Kenyan Medical practitioner

Desirable Criteria:

Excellent organizational and communication skills

COMPETENCIES:

• Good writing skills
• Good presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills a meticulous approach to documentation (including word processing and spreadsheet skills)
• Team working and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and meet deadlines.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:

• Office based.
• Field work in selected counties.
• Willingness to travel throughout the country.