Research Associate Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)

Job Vacancy: Research Associate – AHME Project

Reporting To: Research Manager
 

Start Date: 1st December 2017
 

Location: Nairobi
 

Duration: One Year
 

Deadline to Apply: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis
 

Eligibility: Position open to local Kenyan hires only
 

About Innovations for Poverty Action: Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is an international non-profit research organization dedicated to discovering and promoting effective solutions to global poverty problems. 

IPA works in partnership with development partners and academic researchers to create and evaluate approaches potential solutions to poverty problems using randomized evaluations in the fields of health, education, microfinance, governance and agriculture. 

We also mobilize and support these decision makers to use these solutions to build better programs and policies at scale.
 

About the Project: The AHME Impact Evaluation is an external evaluation of the African Health Markets for Equity (AHME) initiative. 

The goal of the impact evaluation is to rigorously evaluate the extent to which transforming the business model of franchised providers and expanding access to demand side financing generates effective coverage of priority health technologies and interventions amongst the poor.

The AHME Qualitative Evaluation aims to understand how AHME impacts provider and client attitudes towards quality of care, options for care, and health seeking, as well as to document provider and client experiences with the AHME interventions.
 

About the Position: The Research Associate under the general supervision of the Research Manager and within the limits of Innovations for Poverty Action-Kenya policies and procedures coordinates the facilitation of field activities and functions within IPAK. 

Below is a list of some of the general duties and responsibilities of the Research Associate, to be carried out as needed according to the determination of the Research Manager.
 

Duties and Responsibilities:
 

Training

·                     Lead the in-depth training for the field staff on all aspects of data collection including:

1.           preparing for and scheduling interviews

2.           field logistics (incentives, transport, tracking of respondents, airtime tracking)

3.           distribution and tracking of work

4.           documentation and storage of files

5.           demographic information entry

6.           reporting structure

Field Management

·                     Plan and administer pre-testing of the survey instrument and qualitative work in the field

·                     Manage large field team, including development of effective reporting channels

·                     Supervise timely implementation of developed field plan and that it is conducted within budget

·                     Closely monitor team day-to-day in the field and oversee problem-solving efforts

·                     Develop data quality measures (i.e.- back-checks, sit-ins with the field staff) and manage any arising issues in the quality of data, field manager and enumerator/interviewer performance

·                     Help resolve any data-related discrepancies

·                     Ensure adherence to data quality protocols, including overseeing field teams, monitoring data collection, conducting data quality audits, and ensuring data security

Ethical Review Boards

·                     Assist with coordination of amendment and renewal submissions for Research Permits and IRB applications

·                     Follow-up with appropriate people on submissions

·                     Keep up-to-date record of all approval letters

Design and Outreach

·                     Develop and maintain close relationships with partners

·                     Help develop and revise study materials for local context

·                     Help design and edit the survey instrument in collaboration with the PI feedback

·                     For CAI, program the survey into appropriate computer software and participate in bench-testing the survey and the data flows.

HR and Logistical Prep Work

·                     Manage day-to-day expenditures and maintain timely communication with appropriate IPA staff on budget management and in-country finances

·                     Obtain any introduction and permission letters needed for fieldwork

·                     Recruitment and hiring for project fieldwork lead position

1.           Short-list of candidates to be interviewed

2.           Interview candidates and suggest top candidate(s) for hire

·                     Oversee the drafting of contracts and payroll for the field staff over their period of hire

·                     Supervise and finalize all DSA payments being requested for any field staff that are working away from their work station.

·                     Supervise field staff activities, report field staff hours and any other necessary information to IPA HR for payment

·                     Promptly report any performance or other HR issues to the IPA and UCSF teams

·                     Supervise the procurement process of all project-related purchases and ensure procurement is in compliance with the budgetary requirements.

·                     Request for Imprest and promptly make returns to the financial department

Reports and Meetings

·                     Assist in consolidation and cleaning of the raw data received from the field

·                     Ensure timely exchange of data and information between IPA and partners including participating in key stakeholders and presenting research findings

·                     Help write and prepare reports for presentation to partners

·                     Write IPA field reports

·                     Attend all conference calls during fieldwork preparation, conducting and analysis/reporting

·                     Make arrangements for and help lead meetings with country partners for dissemination of results

·                     Write and disseminate financial reports to PIs and partners

·                     Create financial tracking systems to be reviewed internally

Qualifications and Experience:

·                     Preferred to have a Master’s degree in public health, social sciences, public policy, or related fields.

·                     Two to four years of research experience; experience in the fields of health care/heath systems strengthening strongly preferred

·                     Prior work experience conducting field research in developing contexts

·                     Excellent management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skills

·                     Knowledge of Stata (strongly preferred), SAS, or other data analysis software

·                     Familiarity with randomized controlled trials

·                     Demonstrated ability to manage large enumerator teams and survey operations at various levels (programming and data flow, financial budgeting and reporting, human resources and team building)

·                     Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and team player

·                     Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations and policy makers

·                     Strong communication skills with fluency in English

How to Apply

CLICK HERE to apply online
 

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Research Associate- AHME Project. 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.