PSI seeks qualified candidates for the role of Deputy Principal Investigator (DPI), ACTwatch/RDT Scale-up Project. ACTwatch is a multi-country project that has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation over the past five years. It provides a comprehensive picture of the antimalarial market and generates evidence to guide national and international antimalarial medicine policy. ACTwatch is being implemented in six African countries (Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia) and Southeast Asia (Cambodia). ACTwatch2 is designed to continue and expand the current research portfolio for the coming three years. The project will potentially also conduct research in Kenya and Tanzania. Five of the countries overlap with the RDT Scale-up Project (Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda) that consists of operational research to capture the appropriateness of fever case management including the use of diagnostic testing through a mix of research methods.
This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and will help lead research that supports this multi-country work. The DPI will report to the Principal Investigator, ACTwatch/RDT Scale-up Project with approximately 25-30% travel required and up to 40% travel in year one.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The DPI will provide key technical and managerial oversight in order to ensure that the research agenda is achieved. This includes contributing to the maintenance and expansion of the existing portfolio of ACTwatch research activities, as well as integration and coordination of new research under the RDT Scale-up Project. The DPI will manage a pool of researchers that support research in specific countries and will ensure the consistency and quality of fieldwork, data cleaning and analysis. Specific responsibilities include:
The DPI will provide key technical and managerial oversight in order to ensure that the research agenda is achieved. This includes contributing to the maintenance and expansion of the existing portfolio of ACTwatch research activities, as well as integration and coordination of new research under the RDT Scale-up Project. The DPI will manage a pool of researchers that support research in specific countries and will ensure the consistency and quality of fieldwork, data cleaning and analysis. Specific responsibilities include:
Technical Oversight: Under the guidance of the PI, provide oversight of existing ACTwatch multi-country research activities to ensure relevance, quality and comparability over time and across countries through appropriate study designs, fieldwork approaches and data cleaning/analysis. This will include expanding the current ACTwatch research portfolio to include research questions aimed at capturing shifts in malaria diagnostic markets and capturing other medicines as appropriate.
Contribute to the establishment of innovative operational research that will fill a critical public health evidence gap in the appropriateness of fever case management (including malaria diagnosis) in the private sector by studying both provider practices and consumer behavior. Lead analysis plans for research components in consultation with the PI, and review cleaning and analysis conducted by research associates. Collaborate on initiatives to further mine existing ACTwatch datasets, including a spatial analysis component. Write-up and package training materials and project learning to feed into the RDT Scale-up Project and the broader public health community.
Contribute to the establishment of innovative operational research that will fill a critical public health evidence gap in the appropriateness of fever case management (including malaria diagnosis) in the private sector by studying both provider practices and consumer behavior. Lead analysis plans for research components in consultation with the PI, and review cleaning and analysis conducted by research associates. Collaborate on initiatives to further mine existing ACTwatch datasets, including a spatial analysis component. Write-up and package training materials and project learning to feed into the RDT Scale-up Project and the broader public health community.
Project Management: Conduct planning exercises within the research team, with country platforms, and with the RDT Scale-up implementation team so that activities and deliverables are completed on time. Fostering these relationships will be a key to success. Build the capacity of country platform research staff and within the ACTwatch team, including facilitation of in-house trainings. A key aim is to ensure appropriate and standardized field implementation. Another aim is to foster sound use of smart-technology for data collection at country platform levels, either directly or through identification of external expertise. Supervise research associates to ensure quality and consistency. Conduct appraisals. Manage relationships between research associates (RAs) and country platforms, including the RAs provision of technical assistance at a country level. Coordinate with the Research and Metrics Department to foster collaboration, innovative approaches and technical excellence.
Leveraging results through dissemination and advocacy: Contribute to advocacy and dissemination activities at a national and international level, so that research results are recognized and utilized by key stakeholders. This will include a variety of activities including contributing to peer-reviewed publications and engaging in stakeholder meetings. Ensure that in-country dissemination is effective and takes place according to the workplan by engaging actively in the planning and rollout.
QUALIFICATIONS: Masters in epidemiology, public health, demography, statistics or other relevant field Minimum 4 years of experience managing teams in a developing country Demonstrable analytic skills and proficiency in statistical packages, STATA in particular. Experience in conducting large-scale, standardized surveys (national level) in developing countries. Expertise in malaria/febrile illness case management or pharmaceutical drugs preferred. Experience developing training materials and/or implementing field trainings. Experience using smart technology in research and geo-spatial skills as asset. Excellent written and verbal English skills, French language competency preferred. Ability to travel internationally as needed, including travel to developing countries.
Please apply online at www.psi.org. No calls or emails please.
PSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.
Deputy Principal Investigator (DPI), ACTwatch/RDT Scale-up Project
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