Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Closing date: 23 Aug 2015
BACKGROUND
IRC, in a project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through the World Health Organization (WHO), is implementing an integrated community-case management (iCCM) project with the goal of reducing under-five mortality in Tanganyika district, North Katanga, DRC. iCCM, an essential part of the integrated management of childhood illness, focuses on pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria, the most prevalent deadly childhood diseases, and is a process by which sick children under five years of age are treated by trained providers in the community.
SCOPE OF WORK
The IRC is implementing a randomized controlled trial of a modified protocol for integrated community case management (iCCM) in partnership with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Katanga Province, Tanganyika District, DRC. The study will evaluate the non-inferiority of conditional follow up for children with fever who are RDT negative for malaria and are not classified as having pneumonia or diarrhea. This study will contribute to improving the efficiency of iCCM programs.
The research manager is responsible for the coordination of all data collections, providing contextually relevant input on research tools and results, and monitoring activities linked to the randomized controlled trial that the IRC DRC is implementing in Tanganyika district, Katanga Province, DRC
The position is based in Kalemie and reports to the iCCM Coordinator in Kalemie and liaises with the M&E Coordinator in Kinshasa as well as IRC DRC Health Director and IRC Technical Units.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The position's key responsibilities include:
Data Collection
- Oversee implementation of all logistical and research aspects of formative, quantitative and qualitative data collections for the research study
- Maintain close communication with the health program to ensure all tools, plans and expectations are clear to all involved
- Ensure all tracking lists of research participants are accurate, clear and shared appropriately to ensure smooth data collections
- Participate in training of interviewers and other staff implicated for data collections, including interview techniques and ethics
- Provide input on contextual relevance for data collection tools, data analysis plan and interpretation of results.
Monitoring
- Together with RM&E coordinator, iCCM Coordinator, Finance and the Grants departments, ensure timely and accurate reporting (narrative and financial) of research activities.
- Work together with the RM&E Coordinator and Health Information System Officer to plan and coordinate regular monitoring systems of data collection
Communication and Coordination
- Coordinate closely with the iCCM Coordinator in Kalemie to ensure the coherence of research project activities with iCCM programming and to ensure coordination and information flow with partners for the data collections.
- Coordinate with iCCM Coordinator and Kinshasa-based health team to ensure the flow of communication with academic partners and IRC Technical Units / Research, Evaluation & Learning in IRC HQ.
- Liaise with health teams in Kalemie for feedback on adapting the research plan to the local context, including data collection tools and methods
Results and Dissemination
- Provide feedback on data analysis plan based on context and field experience
- Support development of internal and external dissemination products of research results
Operations
- Work with the IRC health team and operations staff, including the Logistics, Administration, Grants and Finance departments, to ensure the project is implemented according to IRC policies and procedures, particularly procurement and use of assets, materials and supplies.
- Manage the overall budget for research related activities
- Supervise permanent research team of 26 IRC staff
REQUIREMENTS
1 Masters in public health or related degree. 2 Experience in large scale field-based data collection and program monitoring, preferably both quantitative and qualitative methods. 3 Previous experience working in public health, particularly in child or community health in sub-Saharan Africa desired. 4 Demonstrated experience in capacity building, mentoring and training. 5 Experience in supervision of staff, planning activities and management of budgets 6 Demonstrated knowledge and skills in research design, program design, monitoring and evaluation (theory and practice) desired. 7 Strong attention to detail and analytical skills 8 Strong skills in Excel and statistical software such as EPI Info, Access, SPSS, Stata 9 Professional proficiency in French and English required, Kiswahili an added bonus
SECURITY SITUATION / HOUSING
This is an unaccompanied post based in Kalemie, Tanganyika district, Katanga Province. Comfortable and secure shared housing is provided by IRC. The current security situation in Kalemie is relatively calm, though eastern DR Congo is unpredictable and complex. All possible measures are taken by IRC to ensure staff safety and security.
How to apply:
Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=c2dyYW50Ljc4MDgwLjM4MzBAaXJjLmFwbGl0cmFrLmNvbQ