Manager (Research), IGNITE

Manager (Research) IGNITE

Department: Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction:Aga Khan University, chartered in 1983 as Pakistan's first private international university, is committed to the provision of education, research and health care of international standard relevant to Pakistan and the region. The affiliated Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has well-equipped investigative services and provides state-of-the-art clinical facilities. AKUH is the first hospital in Pakistan to be awarded the prestigious Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA) for practicing the highest internationally-recognized healthcare standards.

The Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health aims to support the introduction, piloting and scaling-up of high quality, high impact interventions to improve maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (MNCAH) in Pakistan by harnessing the potential of both the public and the private sector, coupled with the introduction of women and girls' empowerment interventions.

The overall goal of the IGNIT3 LHW Nutrition, Hygiene, and Heat Adaptation Training Trial will be to determine whether training LHWs in Sindh province to deliver an enhanced integrated package of nutrition, hygiene, and heat adaptation interventions to women of reproductive age (WRA) will improve birth, child growth, and other outcomes more as compared to training LHWs to deliver the standard package of interventions.This study is situated within the greater context of strengthening the existing LHW program and is intended to inform the effectiveness and value of integrating multi-sectoral content into routine LHW training packages. The evidence generated will also provide information on the feasibility, acceptability, and scalability of the integrated climate-sensitive training package.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

This is a grant-funded contractual position.

Responsibilities:You will be responsible for overall coordination of the research projects which involves to prepare, update project documents, communicate with collaborators and investigators, implement research projects in field, conduct data analysis and compilation of project reports.

Specific, you will be responsible to:

• Implementation and supervision of Research projects, developing instruments for data collection and monitoring.
• developing SoPs for project and administrative processes and procedures to facilitate standardized practices at all field sites , hiring and training of physicians as per projects requirements;
• liaison with community leaders, and project staff to ensure smooth running of projects' activities within the settings;
• develop proposals for submission to granting agencies as per the requirement mentioned and agreed timelines;
• facilitate Co/PI in finalizing the proposals of grants to be submitted;
• draft and submit manuscript of the designated work in a reputed international journal;
• actively contribute to publications in peer-reviewed journals, present at conferences, and participate in academic discussions to disseminate research outcomes;
• hiring and training of research staff as per project requirements;
• working closely with administrative staff to ensure discipline, sufficient supplies and optimal staff at the field sites on day-to-day basis;
• observing, troubleshooting and reporting to higher management with solution for identified problems for efficient performances at field sites;
• preparation and compilation of study progress report;
• submit manuscripts for publications;
• in collaboration with the Data Manager, produce monthly project reports;
• present the study results as per the requirement;
• providing mentorship/trainings to research staff to encourage knowledge exchange engaging in professional development opportunities, including standalone courses, workshops, seminars, and training sessions, to build capacity;
• incumbent will be required to travel to different field sites within and outside Karachi, might require staying at remote locations as per the requirement of project activities;
• international travels will also be involved as per the requirement.

Requirements:You should have:

• MPH / M.Sc. in Epidemiology and Biostatistics / M.Sc. in health policy and management / Masters in sociology or any other relevant field;
• having an MBBS would be preferable;
• 3 to 5 years relevant experience along with research and health systems experience;
• strong communication and interpersonal skills;
• capacity to conduct qualitative exploratory research;
• familiarity with government health system;
• capability to manage field team, work independently and take initiative;
• computer skills like MS Word, Spread sheets;

• excellent writing and speaking skills for English.

  Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.