Research Associate Job in Kenya

Vacancy: Research Associate – Data Management, WASH Benefits Project

Deadline to Apply:

 8th January 2016
 

Start Date: 15th January 2016
 

Location: Kakamega, Kenya
 

Eligibility: This position is open to all applicants
 

About Innovations for Poverty Action

(IPA): Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a

non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and promoting effective

solutions to global poverty problems.  

In close partnership with decision

makers – the policymakers, practitioners, investors, and donors working with

the poor around the world – we design and evaluate potential solutions to

poverty problems using randomized evaluations, the most rigorous evaluation

method available. 

We also mobilize and support these

decision makers to use these solutions to build better programs and policies at

scale.
 

The Data Management Research

Associate under the general supervision of Data Management Research Coordinator

and within the limits of Innovations for Poverty Action-Kenya policies and

procedures, coordinates the facilitation of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene

(WASH) Benefits activities and functions within IPAK. 

Below is a list of some of the

general duties and responsibilities of the Data Management Research Associate,

to be carried out as needed according to the determination of the Data

Management Research Coordinator.

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) seeks a qualified applicant for the

position of Data Management Research Associate for the Water, Sanitation, and

Hygiene (WASH) Benefits Project. 

Currently in the midst of a five-year

study, WASH Benefits is collecting rigorous evidence on the health impacts of

improved water, sanitation and hygiene practices, alongside improved nutrition

in rural Kenya. 

Low-cost technologies and behavior

change communications strategies are being implemented to promote drinking

water treatment, good sanitation practices, handwashing with soap and improved

nutrition. 

The position offers an opportunity to

gain on-the-ground data management experience as part of a high-profile water,

sanitation, hygiene, and child health impact evaluation project. 

This position is located in Western

Kenya, and the principal investigators (PIs) are Clair Null and Michael Kremer.
 

The Data Management RA will work

closely with the Data Management RC and senior project management to support

and supervise a variety of tasks across two offices (Kakamega and Bungoma)

including, but not limited to:

• Manage implementation of systems to manage
  
  data related to monitoring, evaluation, laboratory, and implementation
  
  aspects of the project (both hardware and software).


• Support the development of data entry forms
  
  using CSPro and Excel as well as the design of tracking templates.



• Support the development and modification of standard
  
  operating procedures (SOPs), process documentation and tracking systems


• Compile periodic reports on the progress of
  
  data collection activities study wide


• Support hiring and training of data-entry
  
  clerks in both offices, manage the prioritization and allocation of
  
  data-entry tasks and supervise data entry clerks


• Ensure compliance with variable-naming and
  
  data-formatting standards


• Implement procedures for data management and
  
  quality assurance including: daily data downloads, data encryption and
  
  back-up, weekly processing/compiling/cleaning of raw data, transfer of
  
  data between project activities, storage and protection of hard-copy data,
  
  staff productivity, and survey back-checks


• Support the RC and Research Manager in
  
  coordinating data tracking systems for human subjects and data safety
  
  monitoring compliance


• Provide mentorship to all staff involved in
  
  data collection activities (across all aspects of the study), including
  
  contributing to trainings; closely coordinate with other project
  
  associates and staff across offices


• Be familiar with study protocols and reporting
  
  of events to KEMRI and other institutions.


• Analyze data upon request from the RC, RM and
  
  RD


• Support the RC in any other assignment.

Education and/or Work Experience

Requirements:
 

Required Qualifications and

Experience:

• Excellent Stata programming skills


• Advanced proficiency with Excel


• Experience with CSPro


• A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a quantitative
  
  social science, engineering or related field


• Minimum of two years of experience in
  
  quantitative/qualitative research methods and data management, preferably
  
  with large (many observations and many variables) and/or complex datasets
  
  (many inter-related variables)


• Excellent written and oral communication
  
  skills and complete fluency in English


• Highly organized and detail-oriented, enjoys
  
  working with data


• Excellent management, critical thinking and
  
  interpersonal skills


• Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage
  
  multiple tasks efficiently, and team player

Desired Qualifications and

Experience:

• Proficiency in other computer programming
  
  languages (SQL, Blaise, Java, etc.)


• Experience working on WASH and/or nutrition
  
  issues in developing countries (particularly sub-Saharan Africa)


• Swahili language skills


• Knowledge of statistics


• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials

 
Please send a cover letter and detailed CV including daytime phone number,

email address, and 3 professional references. 

Your CV should include your scores or

grades and other measures of academic achievement, and details about any

relevant work experience.

Applications must be submitted by email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org,

please ensure that the subject line reads: “RESEARCH ASSOCIATE-DATA MANAGEMENT

REF NO: REF NO: WASH B-2015-12-01. 

Shortlisted candidates will be

contacted by email for an interview. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply

early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the

general nature and level of the work being performed by the Research Associate

_ Data management. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of

all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right

to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.

Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant.

Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA

prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization.

Please direct questions to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org.