Research Officer - Health Economics at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

JOB PURPOSE: 

Africa and Asia, which host most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), are projected to bear the greatest burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) if containment measures remain sub-optimal. Any implementation of AMR containment measures requires financing. In resource constrained countries, how funding is mobilized, allocated, and utilized at national and sub-national levels is not well understood despite the availability of costing and budgeting tools for AMR national action plan objectives and activities. This study investigates the current funding landscape and its implications for AMR containment in Kenya and Vietnam, two LMICs with decentralized and centralized health systems, respectively. Specifically, it assesses AMR funding sources, priorities, planning and accountability mechanisms, positive and negative incentives, challenges, and gaps, all aimed at informing strategies for strengthening AMR containment financing at national and sub-national level. It includes a review of national and sub-national funding and budgeting literature, non-participant observations, and key informant interviews with AMR containment actors.

Description: 

REPORTS TO: Principal investigators

DIRECTLY SUPERVISES: Assistant research officers, data transcribers

INDIRECTLY SUPERVISES: Assistant research officers

BUDGET AND RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY:

Responsible for a laptop computer, and one or more digital voice recorders used in this work; and for petty cash budgets associated with fieldwork activities and organizing meetings.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The research officer will initially work with senior team members to develop a longer-term set of work and will likely be responsible for:

• Contributing to the development of research proposals and data collection tools.
• Reviewing literature on topics related to AMR governance and funding landscapes at national and global level.
• Conducting primary research including the use of ethnographic approaches such as non-participant observation and interviews, both alone and together with other investigators.
• Supporting the coordination of research and data collection activities.
• Qualitative data management, analysis, and report writing.
• Engaging with stakeholders at national and international levels as part of their research and through reports, presentations, and writing for peer-reviewed journals.
• Supervising the conduct of other health economics work being conducted by more junior staff members.
• Taking part in or helping to organize and conduct internal health economics methodological workshops, shared learning sessions, and training.
• Participating in seminars and journal clubs and providing peer review of emerging proposals within KWTRP together with other scientists.
• And any other duties that may be assigned from time to time

QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential Qualifications:

• Masters degree Health Economics with a health systems/health services focus, or MSc in Health Financing, or Masters in Public Health with a focus on health economics.
• An excellent academic track record as evidenced by grades for undergraduate and post-graduate training.
• At least three years minimum experience in related field.
• Demonstrable experience in conduct of in-depth interviews and observations, in transcribing and coding interview data.
• Demonstrable experience of the conduct of prior relevant research such as high-quality literature review, empirical health systems/social science studies that include data analysis and report writing, or equivalent experience.
• Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft applications.

Desirable Criteria

• Excellent understanding of the Kenyan health system.
• Evidence of research after completion of MSc/MA level training.
• Prior experience in engaging in budget cycle activities.
• Prior experience in the development of County Annual Development Plans (CADPs) or County Annual Work Plans.
• Evidence of ability to write peer-reviewed research publications.
• Knowledge of NVivo (qualitative analysis) software will be an added advantage.
• Clear interest in health systems/health services research.
• Prior work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Prior evidence of being able to plan and conduct research under minimal supervision and to supervise the research of other more junior team members.
• Demonstrable interest in a career in research.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and prior experience managing junior team members.
• Ability to work relatively independently to achieve agreed objectives.
• Focus on timely delivery of objectives

COMPETENCIES:

• Good writing skills.
• Good planning, organisation, and coordination skills.
• Good presentation skills.
• Experience in qualitative research methods (data collection and analysis).
• High levels of fluency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili.
• Ability to take and follow instructions, show initiative, keen to learn, and proactive with the ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Flexibility, adaptability, multi-tasking, and attention to detail.
• Conscientiousness, timeliness, and willingness to work to meet deadlines.
• Team working and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:

• Office-based
• Fieldwork in selected counties
• Willingness to travel throughout the country