Research Officer, Directors Office, IHD

Research Officer, Director’s Office

Department
Institute for Human Development

Entity
Aga Khan University

Location
Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous, and self-governing international university, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents. An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in multiple health science and social science disciplines, carries out research pertinent primarily to low- and middle-income countries and operates 7 hospitals (soon 8) and over 325 outreach clinics, all at international standards. It has almost 2,500 students and 14,000 staff. The University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. As a leading international institution dedicated to excellence and change, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access.

IHD’s vision is to drive innovation in research in early human development that advances the quality of individual lives and contributes to building successful pluralistic societies. IHD generates new knowledge through basic and applied research, apply the knowledge gained through research to inform programmes, services and practices within community settings, influence policy formulation and implementation in ways that reap the benefits of the systematic research produced at the institute and elsewhere. The institute also delivers educational programmes at multiple levels of study to prepare a wide range of human development specialists and professionals.

Job Summary

To assist in overall coordination of the study activities while working very closely with the office of the Director:

• Study protocol development and submission for ethics and other approvals
• New grant concept development, data analysis, data management, packaging information for dissemination, drafting manuscripts and 
• Editing for publication of research findings.

Responsibilities

Research protocol development

• With guidance from the principal investigator, support in developing research protocols in adherence to the institutional ethics review board. 
• Ensure that study protocol is submitted to the institutional ethics review board.
• Assist in giving feedback to the Ethics Committee and follow up on ethics and other approvals for the protocol to get ready for implementation
• Facilitate handing over to the project implementation team for further execution

Data Management and Data analysis

• Documentation of all field implementation and community engagement process including keeping records and raw data
• Ensuring study data back-up 
• Ensure readiness of data collection tools and devices (translations, consents, recording, storage and safety)
• Facilitate data transcriptions, cleaning, coding.  
• Run basic statistical analysis for quantitative and qualitative data for documentation

Dissemination of research findings

• Assist in packaging information for dissemination whenever this is needed. 
• Draft manuscript(s) and work with the team to finalize for publishing

Requirements

• A master’s degree in social sciences, public health, Global Health, Statistics, or a bachelor’s degree with 3 years’ experience in the areas mentioned or related field with a strong research or statistical background.

Relevant Experience

• Experience coordinating or supporting a research project 
• Strong computer skills and ability to use the necessary databases 
• Demonstrated ability to draft manuscripts for publication. Publication of research work is an added advantage. 
• Able to compile and organize statistical information retrieved and present findings 
• Experience in community mobilization and partner engagement processes
• Experience working in urban informal settlement 
• Demonstrate ability to carry out data analysis and documentation
• Excellent report writing and communication skills 
• Proficiency in MS office and statistical analysis computer packages

Personal Characteristics & Behaviours

• Can work under no or minimal supervision 
• Good interpersonal relationship  
• Fluent in English and Kiswahili
• Keen desire to learn and proactive team member