Research Consultant at Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR)

Description and Objectives   

• SCIDaR is seeking to engage a suitable, qualified, and skilled Research Consultant to support our Subnational Tailoring for Malaria Elimination program. The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring that knowledge products (research and technical papers) from the program are professionally documented and published in high impact dissemination outlets within the scientific community. The engagement is expected to last a maximum of 12 months.  
•  The Research Consultant will work cohesively with the research and knowledge management leads and relevant team members to ensure efficient and effective supervision of research projects, and supervision of enumerators during data collection. Writing assignments will include scientific articles, research protocols, compelling case studies, and program reports among others.   

Technical Responsibilities    

The Research Associate will participate in the following:   

• Supervising the field research projects: The consultant will be responsible for supervising the data enumerators, and ensure maximum compliance with the designed methodologies, and data collection approaches.  
• Ensuring ethical research practices: The consultant must ensure that ethical standards are met throughout the research process, including obtaining informed consent from participants, protecting participant confidentiality, and ensuring that the research does not cause harm to participants.  
• Conducting data collection: The consultant will be responsible for collecting data through various methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations.  
• Writing reports: The consultant will be responsible for writing reports that provide preliminary insights into the collected data and recommendations for future action.  
• Quantitative data analysis: The consultant will be responsible for analysing the data collected using quantitative methodologies during the research project. This will be carried out using appropriate analytical tools and techniques.  
• Qualitative data analysis: The consultant will also lead the transcription, coding/recoding, theme identification, and analysis of qualitative data collected in the field. Additionally, collaborate on systematic, scoping, and meta-analysis and synthesis reviews.  
• Manuscript drafting: The consultant will lead the development of at least two manuscripts from the assigned research topic  
• Managing project timelines: The consultant will be responsible for managing project timelines, ensuring that the research is completed on time.  
• Maintaining relationships with stakeholders: The consultant will be responsible for maintaining the established relationships with project stakeholders, including study participants and other project partners.  
• Perform other research-related tasks as requested by the program leadership team.  

Expected Deliverables   

Over the next 6 months, the research consultant will be expected to provide: 

• Timely quarterly reports on research activities; 
• Updated workplans;
• Close out report for research deliverables;  

Required competencies   

Core requirements   

• Compelling evidence of interest in and commitment to the mission of SCIDaR;  
• Ability to effectively manage relationships with Solina’s internal and external stakeholders;   
• Exceptional written communication skills with proven experience writing on topics in different styles and for various audiences, including the ability to develop and effectively communicate key messages;  
• Familiarity with global health and international development implementation approaches;   
• Astute problem-solving skills with attention to detail and stellar analytical reasoning aptitude;   
• Proficiency in Microsoft® packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as other relevant research and data analytics software;   
• Experience in publication process management and coordination;   
• Good proofreading and copy-editing skills  
• Results-oriented performer, experienced in developing and tracking self and team with clear KPIs.  

Education and Experience     

• Academic training: A PhD degree in a Human Development-related field, including Public Health, Epidemiology, Economics, Management, Statistics, or a similar relevant field.
• Experience doing implementation research related to malaria is an added advantage.   
• Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in research, scientific writing, and publishing with evidence of authorship in peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals;    
• Professional credentialing: Experience using statistical analytical tools such as Excel, STATA, SPSS, SAS, Nvivo, Atlas.ti, or other software is required. Good knowledge of the development and deployment of digital data collection tools such as kobo Toolbox, Open Data Kit (Android), and REDCap is mandatory                   
• Consulting experience in strategy, research, and international development in a reputable public health organization or development consulting firm is a major plus.