Research Associate

Job Description

About the Company

Amref Health Africa was founded in 1957 and has since grown to become the largest African-based international health development organization, currently implementing more than 180 programs, reaching more than 40 million people across 35 African countries, and a staff complement of over 2,000. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Amref Health Africa has offices in ten African countries – Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea (Conakry), Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. An additional eleven advocacy and fundraising offices are located in Europe and North America.

Amref Health Africa is driven by its vision of ‘Lasting health change in Africa’ and its mission ‘To catalyse and drive community-led and people-centred health systems while addressing social determinants of health.’ We believe that the power to transform Africa’s health lies within its communities and therefore strive to ensure that health systems are not only functional but communities are empowered to hold these systems accountable for delivering of quality and affordable health care.

Job Summary

The position holder will lead the ethical approval processes for the study, conduct literature and systematic reviews, and coordinate key implementation activities such as county entry meetings. He/she will also oversee field data collection for both qualitative and quantitative phases, and support data management, analysis, and dissemination.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Assist in the Planning and Execution of the Research Study

• Support packaging and submission of protocol, tools, consent forms and other required documents to Amref Ethics and Scientific Committee and NACOSTI for required approvals and permit.
• Support coordination of stakeholder engagement meetings with representatives from National Ministry of Health and Immunization technical working groups.
• Schedule and coordinate the Country entry meetings.
• Schedule and coordinate all logistics pertaining to training of research assistants on the study.

Data Collection & Management

• Conduct literature and desk reviews.
• Participate in conducting systematic reviews.
• Lead design/review of research data collection tools and Informed Consent forms for qualitative interviews.
• Lead the design of quantitative data collection tools using the KOBO Collect app.
• Participate in training of research assistants and pretesting of data collection tools.
• Support in mobilization of study participants for both the qualitative and quantitative arms of the study.
• Coordinate field data collection.
• Conduct daily check in meetings with research assistants to document field experiences and address challenges experienced by Research Assistants.
• Develop study database for both quantitative and qualitative data and conduct daily data audits to ensure completeness and accuracy of data collected.
• Convene weekly update meetings to the study team.
• Conduct data cleaning of quantitative data and coordinate transcription of qualitative data in preparation for analysis.

Report Writing, Validation, and Dissemination

• Develop and share field reports after each of the activities.
• Assist in drafting reports on the study’s findings.
• Schedule and plan for report writing validation and dissemination of study findings.
• Lead in the development of knowledge products including scientific manuscripts, policy briefs and blog articles.
• Work with communication department to organize for dissemination activities, including stakeholder breakfast meetings, community dissemination forums and social media posts that can be shared on various platforms.
• Assist in drafting reports on the study’s findings.
• Support the development of manuscripts for publication and other knowledge products.
• Support activities of Amref Ethics and scientific Committee

Educational Qualifications, Skills, and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Statistics, Development economics, Epidemiology, Social Sciences, or related studies from a recognized institution.
• At least 2-3 years of relevant experience in research, preferably within a health- oriented NGO.
• Experience in submission and follow up of applications for Ethics and Scientific review Committee and NACOSTI in Kenya.
• Excellent understanding of ethical guidelines for research in Kenya as per NACOSTI guidelines.
• Experience in planning and coordinating study field activities.
• Strong research skills in the conceptualization of studies, designing studies, protocol development, data collection and management, analysis and report writing.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills and experience in using analytical software such as SPSS, Stata, R and NVIVO for qualitative data analysis.
• Knowledge of data management as well as data security protocols.
• Expertise and experience in scientific writing including development and publication of manuscripts, abstracts among others.
• Knowledge of the documentation of best practices including process papers, opinion papers, blog articles, learning briefs and policy briefs.
• Ability and experience in leading planning and execution of national, County and community study dissemination activities.
• Excellent planning and coordination skills, multi-tasking a number of projects simultaneously and troubleshooting calmly and concisely.
• Data visualization and analytics.
• Qualitative data analysis.
• Excellent scientific writing and report writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong command of virtual platforms, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams.
• Ability to work with multi-cultural teams.
• Strong facilitation skills.
• Strong team player and able to work under minimal supervision.

Work Environment

• About 50% of staff time spent will be spent in the office/or working from home, while 50% will be spent in the field.

Hours of Work

• As per HR policy – official working hours from 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday with one hour lunch break and 8.00am to 2pm on Friday. Under special circumstances, the job holder may be required to work outside normal work hours

Additional Information

Your application should include a cover letter detailing why you are the best fit for this position and your CV with relevant skills and experience. Closing date will be Tuesday 6th May 2025.

Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Although Amref may use different job boards from time to time to further spread its reach for applicants, all open vacancies are published on our website under the Vacancies page and on our official social media pages. Kindly also note that official emails from Amref Health Africa will arrive from an @amref.org address.

Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is is dedicated to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer with a non-smoking environment policy.