Job Purpose:
Governance is a critical determinant in the performance
of health systems. However, it is still relatively under-researched in health
systems. Consequently, limited studies have been conducted on the role of
governance on the containment of antimicrobial resistance especially in low-
and middle-income countries. Through a qualitative international study, we are
seeking to understand how health system governance structures and functions
affect antimicrobial resistance containment using Kenya and Vietnam as case
studies. Kenya has a decentralized health system while Vietnam has a
centralized one. Although both countries have national action plans (NAPs)
which prescribe the governance structure and functions for antimicrobial
resistance containment, implementation realities, priorities and concerns from
the perspective of diverse stakeholders at national and sub-national levels are
not well understood. We will unpack antimicrobial resistance governance
policies on paper and in practice through a combination of document reviews,
interviews with national and subnational officers working in human health,
livestock health, agriculture, and environment sectors and non-participant
observation of AMR governance activities. We will additionally conduct
literature reviews on AMR governance. The post holder will work closely with
the Principal Investigator in Kenya, and the Co-Investigator and a Research
Officer in Vietnam. He/she will work together with other colleagues in Kenya,
contributing to wider social science research activities within the KWTRP and
related research networks including presenting the work in various
institutional, national, and international forums as needed.
Description:
Reports
To: Principal
investigators
Directly
Supervises: Assistant
research officers, data transcribers.
Indirectly
Supervises: Assistant
research officers.
Budget
And Resource Responsibility:
Responsible for a laptop computer, and one or more
digital voice recorders used in this work; and for petty cash budgets
associated with fieldwork activities and organizing meetings.
Key Responsibilities:
The research officer will initially work with senior team
members to develop a longer-term set of work and will likely be responsible
for:
- Contributing to the development
of research proposals and data collection tools.
- Reviewing literature on topics
related to AMR governance at national and global level.
- Conducting primary research
including the use of ethnographic approaches such as non-participant
observation and interviews, both alone and together with other
investigators.
- Supporting the coordination of
research and data collection activities.
- Qualitative data management,
analysis, and report writing.
- Engaging with stakeholders at
national and international levels as part of their research and through
reports, presentations, and writing for peer-reviewed journals.
- Supervising the conduct of other
social science and ethnographic work being conducted by more junior staff
members.
- Taking part in or helping to
organize and conduct internal social science methodological workshops,
shared learning sessions, and training.
- Participating in seminars and
journal clubs and providing peer review of emerging proposals within KWTRP
together with other scientists.
- And any other duties that may be
assigned from time to time.
Essential Qualifications:
- MSc/MPH/MA with a health
systems/health services focus or an MSc/MA/MPhil that provides a strong
theoretical foundation in social science/health systems and the use of
qualitative research methods.
- An excellent academic track
record as evidenced by grades for undergraduate and post-graduate
training.
- At least three years minimum
experience in related field
- Demonstrable experience in
conduct of in-depth interviews and observations, in transcribing and
coding interview data.
- Demonstrable experience of the
conduct of prior relevant research such as high-quality literature review,
empirical social science studies that include data analysis and report
writing, or equivalent experience.
- Computer literacy with
proficiency in Microsoft applications.
Desirable
Criteria:
- Excellent understanding of the
Kenyan health system.
- Evidence of research after
completion of MPH/MSc/MA level training.
- Evidence of ability to write
peer-reviewed research publications.
- Knowledge of NVivo (qualitative
analysis) software will be an added advantage.
- Clear interest in health
systems/health services research.
- Prior work in a multidisciplinary
team.
- Prior evidence of being able to
plan and conduct research under minimal supervision and to supervise the
research of other more junior team members.
- Demonstrable interest in a career
in research.
- Excellent interpersonal and
written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills
and prior experience managing junior team members.
- Ability to work relatively
independently to achieve agreed objectives.
- Focus on timely delivery of
objectives.
Competencies:
- Good writing skills.
- Good planning, organisation, and
coordination skills.
- Good presentation skills.
- Experience in qualitative
research methods (data collection and analysis).
- High levels of fluency in written
and spoken English and Kiswahili.
- Ability to take and follow
instructions, show initiative, keen to learn, and proactive with the
ability to work under minimal supervision.
- Excellent interpersonal and
communication skills.
- Flexibility, adaptability,
multi-tasking, and attention to detail.
- Conscientiousness, timeliness,
and willingness to work to meet deadlines.
- Team working and ability to work
in a multi-cultural environment.
Physical
Environment/Conditions:
- Office-based
- Fieldwork in selected counties
- Willingness to travel throughout
the country
Working
hours:
Requires flexibility in the hours worked, that weekend
work will likely be required given the nature of the study.
How To Apply