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Research Officer, Sayana Press Project
PATH seeks to recruit a Research
Officer for Uganda. Based in Kampala,
Position Title:The Research Officer
Duty Station: Uganda, Kampala
Organization:PATH
Employment Type:Full Time Permanent
Reports to: the Sayana Press Project Coordinator.
Tracking Code: 6467
Backgroung Information:
PATH is an international
organization that drives transformative innovation to save lives and improve
health, especially among women and children. We accelerate innovation across
five platforms—vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, devices, and system and service
innovations—that harness our entrepreneurial insight, scientific and public
health expertise, and passion for health equity. By mobilizing partners around
the world, we take innovation to scale, working alongside countries primarily
in Africa and Asia to tackle their greatest health needs. Together, we deliver
measurable results that disrupt the cycle of poor health.
The Sayana Press Pilot
Introduction Project is a four-year project funded by the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. Sayana Press is
a three-month, progestin-only injectable contraceptive product packaged in the
Uniject™ injection system, a small prefilled auto-disable device.
It contains 104 mg per 0.65 mL dose of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate
(DMPA) and is administered via subcutaneous injection. Because Sayana Press is
small, light, easy to use, and requires minimal training, it is especially
suitable for community-based distribution—and potentially for women to
administer themselves through self-injection.
The project is coordinating the introduction of Sayana Press in four
African countries - Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger and Uganda.In Uganda, the
project aims to make Sayana Press available in the public and NGO sector, with
delivery by VHTs. In addition, PATH will conduct research in Uganda that will
build the evidence base for global decision-making about whether and how to
include Sayana Press in family planning programs in the future. As part of the
evidence base, global and country stakeholders are interested in learning about
the possibility of offering Sayana Press through self-injection, as well as
assessing its value administered through “normal” delivery channels.
The Research Officer will work closely with the Research Coordinator and
will report to the Sayana Press Project Coordinator.
S/he will Participate in the in-country implementation of Sayana Press
research activities, Participate in project monitoring activities in the
districts of implementation and support
the Sayana Press Project Coordinator with implementation of the pilot
introduction.
Specific responsibilities and
duties include:
Implement Sayana Press
research activities, in close collaboration with the Sayana Press Uganda
Research Coordinator, as follows:
·
Participate in the
development of research study protocols, data collection instruments, consent
forms, and SOPs, and manage the process of translating research materials into
local languages.
·
Conduct field work and
training, and supervise study staff and data collection.
·
Participate in the
coordination of activities of any subcontracted research organization(s), as
needed (including organizing & co-facilitating trainings, monitoring
quality of data collection and addressing problems/challenges with data
collection as they arise, overseeing data entry).
·
Participate in data
analysis, in close collaboration with Sayana Press Uganda Research Coordinator,
and the Sayana Press Research Manager in Seattle.
·
Participate in-country
data dissemination plan and ensure on-going data sharing for decision-making
with partners.
·
Coordinate and resolve
issues as they arise, in consultation with project team, to assure effective
implementation of research activities.
Assist with the timely
collection and processing of monitoring data from Sayana Press implementing
partners, as follows:
·
Collaborate effectively
with non-governmental implementation partners to ensure on-going, collection of
high quality monitoring data.
·
Conduct site visits for
data collection and quality assurance, and work with FP focal persons and VHTs
(as needed) to ensure that reporting forms are completed accurately and in a
timely fashion.
·
Enter data into database
and transfer data to PATH/Seattle each quarter for incorporation into the four
country monitoring database.
·
Coordinate and resolve
issues as they arise, in consultation with project team, to assure effective
implementation of monitoring activities.
·
Provide support to Sayana
Press project implementation and represent PATH in specific forums, in
consultation with the PATH Sayana Press Uganda Team, and the PATH Seattle-based
team.
Required Skills
·
The Research Officer is
expected to have strong expertise in research and, preferably, research related
to family planning.
·
Strong interpersonal skills
as well as written and oral presentation skills are a must.
·
Excellent analytical skills
·
Proven ability to work
collaboratively with local and international project management team to
effectively oversee project implementation, and to work harmoniously as a team
member;
·
Proven ability to nurture
effective and positive relationships with national governmental stakeholders,
NGO partners, and donor representatives;
·
Skills in SPSS, STATA and/ or
SAS
Required Experience
·
Master in public health or
related field required,
·
a minimum of 6 years of demonstrated experience in implementing and
managing public health research projects,
·
preferably with family planning or reproductive health components,
·
demonstrated experience in
qualitative and quantitative research methods acquired through both practical
and academic experience,
·
experience interacting with country governments,
·
donor agencies, research
organizations, and other local and international non-profit agencies,
·
experience with project monitoring and evaluation
This position is contingent upon funding.
Must have legal authorization to
work in Uganda.
PATH is dedicated to diversity and
is an equal opportunity employer.
Mode of application:
Apply Online:
To apply to this position please click the link below and follow the
application instructions below.
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