Back Research Officer

About FHI 360

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Research Officer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Job Summary:

The Research Officer will be a mid-level member of the project team and will work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team, larger project team, local implementing partners, the government, nongovernmental organizations, community organizations, and others to support the development, implementation, management, and conduct of non-clinical research studies. The Research Officer will analyze data and interpret results using qualitative/quantitative methods and statistics and investigate and develop new methods and technologies for project advancement. The Research Officer should have demonstrated management and teamwork skills and will leverage previous experience and work with diverse teams on multiple projects at once.

Accountabilities:

Research/Technical

• Conducts literature reviews with minimal guidance from senior staff including drafting search criteria and providing synthesis of gaps and opportunities.
• Contributes to discussions on study design; may assist program teams to determine which questions can be answered with available data.
• Collaborates on the development of study documents, including drafting informed consent forms, data collection tools, and sections of study protocols.
• Develops training materials; leads or co-leads trainings for study implementation.
• Monitors data as it comes in from the field for completeness and accuracy
• Conducts qualitative data management and analysis.
• Leads the development of qualitative codebooks; reviews transcripts for and removes/obscures identifiable information; applies codes consistently to transcripts using application software; may lead a team of analysts to ensure consistent coding; writes code summaries and coding memos.
• Programs simple to moderately complex surveys.
• Conducts quantitative data management and analysis.
• Develops codebook for quantitative datasets; obtains, merges, and cleans quantitative datasets.
• Conducts descriptive and regression analyses using statistical software with minimal oversight.
• Develops tables that respond to intended objectives and suggests additional analyses based on understanding of data.
• Conducts more sophisticated analyses involving complex sampling designs or data with oversight from senior staff.
• May review datasets and documentation from other Research Associates prior to public data sharing; verifies complex analyses conducted by others prior to publication.
• May lead development of dissemination materials including data visualizations for various audiences, and present or disseminate findings.
• Mentors Research Assistants, Interns, and more junior Research Associates.

  Project Management/Coordination

  📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

  ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

  • Manages communications with the study team, sites, and vendors; may serve as the primary liaison for sub-contractors (e.g., data collection agencies).
  • Provides technical assistance and oversight to local research partners.
  • Organizes, plans, and executes events/sessions (e.g., webinars, presentations, and others).
  • Tracks study progress and timelines; identifies and communicates potential problems and is responsible for appropriate escalation and resolution
  • May manage study budget; may contribute to sub award development and monitoring; reviews and track invoices and payments; manages consultant contracts.
  • Performs other duties assigned.

    Applied Knowledge & Skills:

    • Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
    • Experience programming surveys for electronic data collection preferred software.
    • Familiarity with data visualization software, interactive dashboard creation, or geographic information systems preferred.
    • Applied knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures for conducting research studies under government regulations.
    • Demonstrated project and research management skills.
    • Effective communications in information shared by ensuring attention is paid to the specific components (i.e., formatting) of the communication, successful delivery, and accountability for specific components (i.e., keeping timelines updated).
    • Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English, fluent in host country language as appropriate.

      Problem Solving & Impact:

      • Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors.
      • Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
      • Networks with senior internal and external personnel in own area of expertise.

        Supervision Given/Received:

        • Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work, general instructions on new assignments.
        • Typically reports to MEL Director.

          Education:

          • Master's Degree or its International Equivalent in Education, Health, Behavioral, Life or Social Sciences, International Development, Human Development or Related Field.
          • Master’s Degree preferred.

            Experience:

            • Typically requires 5+ years of research or evaluation experience.
            • Field experience in developing and implementing research as part of health programs in Ethiopia and/or other African countries preferred
            • Strong understanding of the current state of the health sector in Ethiopia, with experience working on programs addressing at least three of the following areas: MNCH, FP/RH, malaria, nutrition, WASH, EID
            • Understanding of widely accepted formative research, pretesting, and monitoring and evaluation methodologies for SBC programs
            • Understanding of capacity strengthening strategies and approaches to develop and strengthen SBC knowledge, ability, and skills among a wide array of technical staff
            • Ability to translate research, learning, and technical information into learning products for diverse audiences
            • Proven ability to work as an effective team member
            • Proven ability to work independently by setting own milestones and completing assigned tasks
            • Experience working in collaboration with the private sector, government, partners, donors, and NGOs

              Typical Physical Demands:

              • Typical office environment.
              • Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
              • Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
              • Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

                Technology to be Used:

                • Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

                  Travel Requirements:

                  • 10% - 25%

                    This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

                    FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

                    FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
                    
                    FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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