Research Officer - Policy Translation and Research into Use Coordinator

Promotion of Water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH through effective policy translation and Research into Use (RIU) is needed. The Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) in partnership with the Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) is seeking a Research Officer to fill the policy translation and Research into Use (RIU) position. MITU is the lead partner for SHARE in Tanzania. SHARE stands for the Sanitation and Hygiene Applied Research for Equity, a research consortium led by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), in collaboration with several international partners.

Research Officer - Policy Translation and Research into Use Coordinator

The position requires a candidate who will be effective in promoting the WASH agenda to the government. The position will be based with IHI with a time split between work on MITU research translation and IHI research activities.
The position is based in Dar es Salaam, IHI, Mikocheni office.

The position will require travel to Mwanza and other field sites as necessary.


Main responsibilities
• Establish a functional policy translation platform for Wash portfolio research outcomes from IHI and MITU -SHARE activities with key stakeholders from public, NGO and private sectors.
• Work with the SHARE M&E Officer and Research Uptake Officer (RUO) to establish an M&E strategy for SHARE in Tanzania
• Conduct local and national government engagement meetings and project inception community and stakeholder meetings.
• Contribute to reporting requirements with respect to stakeholder engagement, results dissemination and policy translation.
• Report on progress and outcomes of the projects from time to time, by way of electronic or printed reports, institutional presentations and scientific conferences both locally and internationally.
• Contribute to writing and publishing at least one mid-authored scientific paper in a peer reviewed and internationally recognized journals.
• Contribute to attracting and competing for research grants to address scientific questions in line with strategic objectives of IHI and MITU: and, the public health needs of the target area.
• Assist in establishing research collaboration between IHI and MITU and high calibre national and international WASH researchers.
• Conduct any other duties as may be assigned by the line managers and the institute management.

Qualifications & Experience
• Minimum requirement is a bachelor degree in medicine, science, engineering, or social sciences.
• Desirable qualifications are a Masters or PhD in a related field.
• Knowledge and preferably experience in the policy translation process.
• Ability to conduct meetings and liaise with community, government and other stakeholders. Experience in engagement with media agencies, oral presentations of scientific research, preparing reports & manuscripts.
• Willingness to engage in higher education and professional development opportunities
• Proven experience of engaging and influencing policy and research communities in the development (particularly WASH) sector in Tanzania
• A strong understanding of WASH issues, particularly in t~e Tanzanian context ~
• Demonstrable experience of designing 'and drafting publications to communicate research content to different audiences, including non-technical audiences,
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels and across countries
• Proven experience of working in, and organizing events in developing countries
• Demonstrable ability to operate in a flexible working environment working across different countries, cultures and time zones.
• Experience of working under time pressure and meeting strict, deadlines, without close supervision.
• A willingness to undertake work-related travel within (and potentially outside of) Tanzania.
• Spoken and written English & Kiswahili to business standard.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All candidates meeting the above job requirements should submit their application letters with detailed curriculum vitae (CVs) showing, contact address, e-mail, telephone numbers, and photocopies, of academic and professional certficates to the address below. The application letter should also detail why the applicant is interested in this position, demonstrate how the applicant meets each of the criteria listed above, and indicate any ideas for WASH policy translation and research dissemination activities. The deadline for this application is 5th March 2016. Interviews will be held in Dar es Salaam, and candidates will be notified by phone/email if selected for interview.

A competitive remuneration package will be offered. The contract will initially be for 1 year, with a 3 month probationary period. Extension of the contract for a second year is anticipated, but this will be based on performance.
E-Mail: recruitrnent@ihi.or.tz copying jmthornas@ihi.or.tz and recruitment@mitu.or.tz