Research Coordinator at International Rescue Committee

Major Responsibilities/Position Scope

We seek candidates competent in quantitative and qualitative research methods, with capacity to support field-based implementation/operational, public health and health systems research focused on sexual, maternal and newborn and reproductive health in low-resource, conflict-affected contexts. The Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) sector, inclusive of a substantial portfolio in maternal and newborn health (MNH), conducts research studies and evaluations using experimental and quasi-experimental, observational and mixed methods design.

The Research Coordinator will backstop a variety of ongoing studies collaborating with local partners and other institutions and identifying research opportunities that align with the Health Unit and/or Research and Innovation departments’ research and programmatic priority areas. The SRHR / MNH portfolio is currently focusing its research on areas including self-managed care, community-based maternal and newborn services, political economy and other context analysis, and health systems strengthening among others.

The Work Breakdown Is Expected As Follows

Specific Responsibilities

50%: Coordinate and support research project implementation in SRHR / MNH portfolio:

• Prepare research ethics applications for specified studies
• Oversee research project implementation, including day to day interaction with research focal points and managers in field sites, facilitation of data collector training, overseeing data collection and analysis.
• Coordinate and contribute to the development of all external project reporting and manuscript preparation
• Work with the research uptake and communications team on documentation and dissemination activities for research studies including presentations at conferences/workshops/stakeholder forums.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

30%: Specialized Country and Research Partner Support (partner-led projects):

• Collaborate with local partners/country programs and provide technical review of research concept notes/proposals
• Support development of research ethics applications for specified studies
• Support research managers in country programs/local partner institutions to assure methodological soundness and quality implementation of research studies
• Support design and supervision of data collection, entry, and analysis, where needed
• Support training of enumerators and other research staff
• Participate in preparation of manuscripts for peer review and other reporting and dissemination activities

20% - Business Development and other support as needed by manager

• Identification of funding opportunities and support efforts related to proposal development in various projects
• Other coordination support for research-related activities, especially related to partnerships and departmental requirements as needed by manager.

Job Requirements

• Education: MPH or Masters in relevant field, both quantitative and qualitative training preferred.
• Work Experience: 3-6 years of experience with at least 1 year experience managing research projects in low-income or developing countries. At least 2 years of field experience in low income or humanitarian settings preferred.

Demonstrated Skills And Competencies

• Demonstrated internal and external communication and coordination capabilities
• Demonstrated technical expertise in at least one of the following areas: SMNRH, public health, health systems, humanitarian health, experimental or observational study design and implementation, research capacity strengthening
• Experience managing donor funded projects and grants and technical input to proposal and budget development and donor reports.
• Experience conducting or supporting primary data collection in challenging environments
• Data analysis skills, both quantitative and qualitative preferred
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Teamwork: Able to work with remote, multi-cultural, and multi-disciplinary teams
• Ability to work with minimal supervision on specific projects