Innovations
for Poverty Action (IPA)
Mitigating
Aflatoxin Consumption for Improving Child Growth (MAICE) Project
Position: Research Associate
Deadline
to Apply: Reviewed
on rolling basis
Start
Date: June
2nd 2016 (non-negotiable)
Location: Meru Town, Kenya
Innovations
for Poverty Action (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering
and promoting effective solutions to global poverty problems.
In
close partnership with decision makers - the policymakers, practitioners,
investors, and donors working with the poor around the world - we design and
evaluate potential solutions to poverty problems using randomized evaluations,
the most rigorous evaluation method available.
We
also mobilize and support these decision makers to use these solutions to build
better programs and policies at scale.
About
the project:
IPA
seeks qualified applicants for the position of Research Associate -
Implementation for the MAICE Project.
Chronic
exposure to aflatoxin, a fungal byproduct commonly found in maize, has been
linked to liver cancer and suppressed immune system function. Non-experimental
evidence suggests exposure to the toxin could also negatively impact children’s
development.
In
Kenya, where maize is a staple in the diet, estimates of aflatoxin
contamination vary by site and year, with various studies showing between 16%
and 65% of maize exceeds the allowable limit.
MAICE is a randomized controlled trial being undertaken by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to better understand the effect of aflatoxin consumption on stunting in children. The project began in January 2013 and will close in March 2017.
Activities
in 2016 and 2017 will involve continued implementation and monitoring of an
intervention to reduce aflatoxin exposure among households assigned to the
treatment group, endline data collection (July and October 2016) and result
dissemination in the study villages (February 2017).
The
project is based in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi Counties, Kenya.
This position will be mainly dedicated to the implementation and monitoring of the intervention, which consists of offering people the opportunity to have their stored maize tested, and have their contaminated maize swapped, as well as providing aflatoxin-safe maize through shops in the study villages.
This position will be mainly dedicated to the implementation and monitoring of the intervention, which consists of offering people the opportunity to have their stored maize tested, and have their contaminated maize swapped, as well as providing aflatoxin-safe maize through shops in the study villages.
The RA
will oversee the implementation and logistics of the intervention, working
closely with the project implementing partner.
Data
on the intervention are collected regularly for monitoring and research
purposes, and the RA will be responsible for the quality and regular analysis
of these data.
Moreover,
the Research Associate may participate in endline data collection and
dissemination activities, working closely with the Meru-based Field manager,
responsible for these activities.
The
RA’s participation in endline data collection activities would be focused
primarily on monitoring of data quality.
The
position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience
in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research.
Responsibilities:
The
Research Associate will work closely with the Field Manager in Meru, with the
IPA-Kenya Country Office and the PIs (professional researchers and program
manager) to perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to:
- sophisticated
logistic planning,
- significant
in-person oversight of implementing partner,
- managing
the implementation field team,
- managing
the back check of the intervention,
- monitoring
implementation quality (coordination with the field manager in charge of
data collection and dissemination to ensure quality and consistency of the
different components of the project),
- checking
and analyzing implementation data on a regular basis,
- financial
accounting, HR, and various administrative tasks.
The RA
will also Support the field manager in terms of data quality checks and survey
monitoring during data collection, and will take part in result dissemination
activities in study villages.
Qualifications
and Experience:
Required
Qualifications:
- A
Bachelor's degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, or related
fields
- Excellent
management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skills
- Fluency
and excellent communication skills in English
- Flexible,
self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, a team
player
- Assertive
personality and demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships
with partner organizations
Desired
Qualifications:
- Experience
living in a developing country is a strong plus
- Previous
knowledge of or desire to learn Swahili or Kimeru a plus
- Knowledge
of Stata (strongly preferred) or other data analysis software is preferred
- Familiarity
with randomized controlled trials preferred.
To
Apply: https://poverty-action.formstack.com/forms/research_associate_maice
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Research Associate -MAICE. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Research Associate -MAICE. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA.
