Research Officer

Job Title: Research Officer

Reports to: Programme Manager – Health and Nutrition

Direct Reports: None

Closely Work With: Health and Nutrition Managers, H&N Officers, other Concern staffs , Research quality officers , and other Nawiri consortium members

Job Location: Marsabit (Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Kenya at the time of application – National Position)

Contract Details: Fixed Term, Twelve (12) Months Contract

Salary Range: Gross Salary (Kes 142,799 -173,215 ) Per Month

Job Summary:

The incumbent will lead the field level technical and operational implementation of ICCM-CMAM implementation research project in Marsabit County. The study is expected to provide evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of ICCM-CMAM in improving access to appropriate care for acutely ill children in remote areas delivered by CHPs. The findings will inform the Kenya Ministry of Health and county management teams, guiding practical implementation steps. The operationalization of iCCM-CMAM has the potential to enhance health outcomes and reduce child mortality in low-income countries. By integrating community-based management of acute malnutrition into ICCM, a more comprehensive approach to child care can be extended to those in hard-to-reach areas.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Management and Development:

• Guiding the development of the research work plans in coordination with the project teams.

• Liaising with the local and county level with CHMT, Marsabit County Officials and Health Facility Management Teams to enhance coordination and collaboration in project implementation and sustainability.

• Provide technical assistance in the implementation of ICCM/ CMAM research, linking it with existing health and nutrition interventions in Marsabit County.

• Timeline and financial tracking to ensure timely and effective deliverables of research agenda

• Participate in quarterly strategy review and planning meetings with the Project research team consisting of the Principal and Co-Principal Investigators, HQ Technical Backstop, Research Partners and the Health and Nutrition Coordinator

  Implementation of Operations Research

• Contribute to the overall operation research design development

• Contribute to the design of data collection tools, including surveys and qualitative interviews

• Ensure ethical standards are upheld throughout research project

• Oversee data collection, data analysis and data synthesis, and ensure the use of effective data tools by all project staff and partners

• Support the policy advocacy on the adoption of ICCM/CMAM services by CHPs at the community level.

• Based on data, suggest additional analyses and highlight interesting findings

• Document the research process as an integral part of the operations research

• Assist in the completion and submission of Donor reports

• Support supply chain management

  Representation and Dissemination

• Draft technical documents based on the research findings for submission to the health and nutrition programme coordinator and HQ Technical Backstop as needed

• Contribute to research dissemination through involvement in technical working groups, global networks, conferences, and with other key stakeholders

• At the County and national level, work with Project Research team to lobby for the adoption of key project and research findings into current practice.

• Represent Concern in County and National level technical meetings and any other forums as necessary.

  Training/Mentoring

• In partnership with the program team, contribute to capacity building of MoH and partner agency staff members.

• Assist in the planning and coordination of trainings associated with the intervention of study

  Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitoring the progress against objectives outlined in the program plans.

• Preparing high quality written reports for Concern and donors (monthly, quarterly and annual) and others as required.

• Ensure project performance is tracked and quality standards adhered to.

• Conduct frequent field visits for monitoring to ensure effective research and programme implementation.

• Coordinate regular project monitoring and supervision in liaison with the SCHMTs and project MEAL focal person to ensure quality project implementation according to agreed standards.

• Coordinate with the health records and information officers to ensure the data submitted by facilities is complete by regular quality checks to ensure completeness of the records of the children in the study.

Other Duties

• Adhere to and promote the standards outlined in the Concern Code of Conduct and associated policies to their team, beneficiaries, and be committed to providing a safe working environment
• Participating and contributing towards Concern’s emergency response, as and when necessary
• Comply with Concern’s health, safety and security guidelines during emergencies
• Take all possible measure to meet Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS)
• Any other duties as assigned by the Line Manager

Person Specification

Minimum Education, Qualifications & Experience Required:

• BSc in Nursing, Nutrition or related field
• At least three (3) years’ experience in Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition programming with experience of public health or nutrition or research methods, and/or operations research.
• At least two- years demonstrated work experience in research related positions or projects and/or programmes.
• Proven track record of collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.
• It is highly desirable that candidates will be able to demonstrate experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Experience and knowledge of MOH systems, particularly at County and sub county level
  • Child health and nutrition, specifically the diagnosis of undernutrition
  • Behaviour change strategies

Preference will be given to candidates who have:

• High personal standards of excellence;
• Excellent:
  • Verbal and written communication skills in English;
  • Interpersonal skills;
  • Creative thinking and solution building abilities;
  • Strategic thinking and operational planning capabilities;
  • Administrative and organizational abilities, including an eye for detail;
• High-level statistical analysis and statistical software package (e.g. SPSS, STATA, R) experience;
• Qualitative analysis and use of qualitative software (e.g. NVivo) experience (desirable)
• Proven track record of academic dissemination through peer reviewed journals and/or conferences (desirable)
• Track record of securing ethical approval at institution and National levels (desirable)
• Ability to work autonomously and in teams, and in a multi-cultural work environment;
• Demonstrated drive and initiative, a self-starter with a can-do attitude.
• Fluent in both spoken and written English and Kiswahili. Fluency in local language/s skills is an added advantage

Competencies required:

• Communicating and working with others
• Planning and decision-making
• Delivering results
• Influence, advocacy and networking

Safeguarding at Concern: Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a consultancy opportunity with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their consultancy contract. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to do consultancy work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, being hired as a consultant with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

Concern’ is the trading name of ‘Concern Worldwide’, a company limited by guarantee, registered number 39647; registered charity number CHY 5745, registered in Ireland, registered address is 52-55 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Follow Concern online: www.concern.net