Scope of Work:
RTI International is seeking a Senior Research Advisor for
the anticipated USAID/Zambia- Evidence for Health activity. The objective
of the activity is to strengthen the Government of Republic of Zambia (GRZ)
national Health Management Information System (HMIS), improve monitoring,
evaluation, and research capacities within key government and non-governmental
partners, and expand the evidence base for existing approaches to health
programming in malaria, nutrition, family planning, maternal and child health,
and HIV. This position is contingent upon award and funding.
Position:
The Research Senior Advisor will contribute to building the
evidence base for health programming in malaria, nutrition, family planning,
maternal and child health, and HIV. The Senior Advisor will oversee activities
such as operations research, special studies, assessments, and big data
analyses and will provide technical assistance to the development of Zambian
research institutions and junior Zambian researchers.
Responsibilities:
- Provides
technical leadership, advice, and utilizes the best available methods to
assess and evaluate innovations in all the technical areas.
- Supports
efforts to build field capacity in monitoring and evaluation, and develops
and strengthens evidence based data methodologies, collection,
interpretation for decision-making and protocols;
- Conducts
evaluations, assessments, comparative analyses, and other related tasks in
support of project reporting needs;
- Provides
technical support to the USAID/Zambia Health Office and to the GRZ MoH.
- Works
with Zambian institutions to improve recruitment, training, productivity,
and performance management of human resources and research activities.
- Establish
and maintain routine monitoring and reporting systems to support program
implementation with data-based program decision-making.
- Mentors
and supervise staff, as required.
- Plays
a key role in defining, developing, and assessing the capacity building of
Zambian researchers and institutions through capacity development plans,
research symposia, and a competitive fund for researchers.
- Contributes
to qualitative and quantitative operations research projects on target
populations to ensure scientific stature, data quality and accuracy, and
dissemination of results to stakeholders; disseminate findings to use for
decision making and build the international evidence base malaria,
nutrition, family planning, maternal and child health, and HIV programs;
- Builds
the capacity of a local research institution to conduct assessments and
evaluations.
- Other
duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements:
· Master’s degree in a public health, Epidemiology,
social sciences, or related field required; PhD preferred.
· Minimum of 10 years of experience in health research,
involving a range of research activities and products. Qualitative and
quantitative research experience
· Minimum of 5 years of experience conducting research
in developing countries. Wide range of publications and conference
presentations
· Strong oral and written communication skills in
English, including evidence of quality report writing and presentations.
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines with quality products
· Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
Qualifications
· Demonstrated experience analyzing quantitative and
qualitative data and experience working with USAID along with knowledge
of reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, and tools for M&E;
· Experience in all phases of evaluation research,
including protocol design, sampling, instrument design, data collection, data
analysis, and report writing;
· Ability to produce thorough, high quality results
within a tight timeframe required;
· Knowledge of Zambia Health sector strongly preferred;
· Zambian nationals strongly encouraged to apply
TO APPLY: Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as
possible. Only short listed applicants will be contacted. This position is
contingent upon award and funding. RTI is proud to be an EEO/AA employer
M/F/D/V.
