WASH Benefits Project
Position: Research Associate - Laboratory
Deadline to Apply:27th March 2015
Start Date: Flexible,
June 2015 at the latest
Eligibility: This position is open to all applicants
About Innovations for Poverty Action
(IPA): 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.
The Research Associate-Laboratory,
under the general supervision of the Senior Research Associate - Parasitology
and within the limits of Innovations for Poverty Action-Kenya policies and
procedures coordinates the facilitation of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
(WASH) Benefits 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 SRA - Parasitology in close
coordination with the Implementation and Research Managers.
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
seeks a qualified applicant for the position of Laboratory Research Associate
for the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Benefits Project.
Currently in the midst of a five-year
study, WASH Benefits is collecting rigorous evidence on the health impacts of
improved water, sanitation and hygiene practices, alongside improved nutrition
in rural Kenya.
Low-cost technologies and behavior
change communications strategies are being implemented to promote drinking
water treatment, good sanitation practices, handwashing with soap and improved
nutrition.
One of the objectives of the WASH
Benefits project is to assess the impact of these interventions on child
parasite infections.
A second objective is to evaluate how
improved water, sanitation, and hygiene affects child exposure to fecal
contamination in the household environment.
This position is located in Kakamega
or Bungoma and is supervised by the Senior Research Associate – Parasitology.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will work
closely with senior project management and staff to perform a variety of tasks
including, but not limited to:
- Develop and supervise implementation of sample
collection and processing systems described below to ensure of the highest
quality data, including; development/modification of lab standard
operating procedures (SOP), process documentation, tracking systems, and
monitoring of staff performance
- Supervise laboratory technicians and field
staff involved in Laboratory and environmental sampling activities,
including holding regular meetings and coordinating trainings
- Oversee sample collection, processing, and
microbial analysis of samples from drinking water sources, household
stored water, child hands, and child toys for quantitative enumeration of
fecal indicator bacteria using membrane filtration.
- Oversee sample collection, processing,
aliquoting, and sample flow of child stool and blood samples to measure
biomarkers of parasite infections among young children (e.g. microscopy of
stool for soil-transmitted helminth infections, aliquoting of stool)
- Liaise with collaborators at the Kenya Medical
Research Institute in analyzing project stool samples by ELISA and qPCR to
detect soil transmitted helminth infections and protozoan infections, and
analysis of blood spots by Luminex for other enteric pathogen infections.
- Coordinate and oversee logistical planning for
sample collection, processing, flow, and data entry by tracking
enrollment, specimen collection, and follow-up targets; working with
supervisors to determine when corrective action is needed in order to
ensure that activities are consistent with approved SOPs and project
objectives
- Lead the design and participate in the coding
of survey instruments to be used during field sample collection
- Assist with data management, data cleaning,
and analysis of all lab and field sample collection data
- Provide projections, and basic oversight of
financial accounting related to lab activities.
- Participate HR oversight process and provide
recommendations to senior management on all aspects of HR for parasite and
environmental sampling components of the study
- Overall responsibility for inventory and
procurement coordination for all lab and field parasite and environmental
sample collection activities
- Closely coordinate with Data Management, Data
Collection, Logistics and Procurement personnel
Desired Qualifications and
Experience:
- Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in a relevant
field such as Laboratory, biology, environmental health, public Health, or
other related field
- Laboratory experience, preferably in the
context of a field lab in a low-income country
- Experience with culture based bacterial assays
a plus
- Experience processing blood and stool samples
a plus
- Experience with soil transmitted helminthes or
Kato Katz analysis a plus
- Experience with qPCR and/or running ELISA
assays a plus
- Experience with Open Data Kit, Survey CTO, CS
Pro and STATA a plus
- Experience shipping and tracking samples
- Excellent management and organizational skills
along with strong quantitative skills
- Excellent management, organizational, critical
thinking and interpersonal skills
- Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage
multiple tasks efficiently, and team player
- Strong written and oral communication skills
and complete fluency in English is required. Kiswahili proficiency is
preferred.
- Experience working in a low-income country
(particularly sub-Saharan Africa)
- Familiarity with randomized controlled trials
We are looking for a commitment
period of 1 year for this position with the possibility to extend.
How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter and
detailed CV including daytime phone number, email address, and 3 professional
references.
Your CV should include your scores or
grades and other measures of academic achievement, and details about any
relevant work experience.
Applications must be submitted by email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org, please ensure that the subject line reads: “RESEARCH ASSOCIATE-LABORATORY REF NO: REF NO: WASH B-2015-02-01.
Shortlisted candidates will be
contacted by email for an interview.
Applicants are encouraged to apply
early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Research Associate _ Laboratory. 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 prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Research Associate _ Laboratory. 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 prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org.