Senior Research Specialist – Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center for Communication Programs

Main Purpose of Job

Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP) implements multiple projects focusing on promoting priority health behaviors on malaria; RMNCH; Nutrition; FP; and Zoonotic diseases risk communication. CCP has recently obtained grant from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to undertake implementation research to achieve: to generate cost-effective, scalable and sustainable strategies, to increase uptake and adherence to IFA/MMS among pregnant women aged 15-49 years and adolescent girls aged 10-19 years in rural areas and to generate implementation evidence on how to deliver those strategies at scale in Ethiopia. The project will provide evidence for scaling up through two cluster Randomized Control Trials and a robust monitoring and adaptive implementation component. The project will be implemented in eight selected woredas of Amhara and SNNP regions for three years. The main objective of the Senior Research Specialist is to lead effective implementation of the implementation research project through providing high level technical guidance in the design and implementation of the research activities.

Senior Research Specialist Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate effective implementation of assessments and research activities including desk review, project baseline and evaluation studies.
• Assist in preparing research concept-notes and protocols and secure approval from the concerned authorities
• Develop research work plans according to project needs.
• Ensure timely completion of research activities in accordance with overall project goals and timeline
• Collaborate with partners and research agency to ensure data quality
• Assist in the development of research protocols and IRB documents
• Coordinate with Regional IRB boards in Amhara and SNNP
• Assist in the development of research instruments
• Conduct pretests of HCD products
• Conduct data quality assessments in the field
• Training enumerators for survey data collection
• Liaison with the research agency.
• Conduct data analysis and report write up activities
• Provide technical support for other research studies on design, analysis, and dissemination
• Provide support to implementation team, as necessary,
• Coordinate project monitoring including supportive supervision, review meetings, and surveillance activities
• Act as primary contact for any questions and concerns related to the implementation research.
• Attend meetings with technical working groups representing the project director.
• Carryout other technical or program tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Reports To:  BMGF Project Director

Duration of Employment: 1 year with possible extension

Required no.  1 (one)

Knowledge, skills and experience required

• Master’s degree in relevant field such as nutrition, statistics
• A minimum of 8 years of experience supporting health and research programs
• Prior experience working in implementation research projects that involve qualitative and quantitative approaches
• Significant NGO experience undertaking field research
• Proficiency in using statistical software: SPSS, STATA & at least one qualitative data analysis software
• Proficiency in English and other local language
• Ability to facilitate communication between various levels of management and work independently in order to meet deadlines.

Preferred:

• Experience with RCT design