Research Promotion Officer at Global Health Corps

RESEARCH PROMOTION OFFICER

ORGANIZATION NAME: National Health Research Authority

LOCATION: Lusaka, Zambia

ELIGIBLE CITIZENSHIP: Zambia

ROLE CODE: Z02-Nat

Role Overview

The Research Promotion Officer will provide support to the National Health Research Authority (the Authority) in developing a functional national health research system in Zambia. This includes helping to regulate the implementation of health research and clinical trials and support in the promotion of health research within and outside the country. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Research Promotion and Regulation at the Authority, the Officer will help coordinate various research promotion activities, including general research data management as well as data management related to both epidemics outbreak responses and management of the Research Trust Fund.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of National Health Research Ethics Board (NHREB) meetings which reviews the protocols from different researchers for authority to conduct research
• Participate in the monitoring and inspection of clinical trials
• Participate in grant writing and protocol development activities
• Assist with data analysis and interpretations of in-house data collection activities
• Support research report writing
• Create platforms that support evidence-based decision-making
• Offer support in terms of epidemic preparedness and response to institutions that directly respond to epidemics:
  • Initiate research by actively exploring research questions with available data
  • Analyze research findings to facilitate decision making
  • Offer statistical information from research that will help inform policy
  • Participate in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of ongoing epidemic and outbreak response programs
  • Prepare activity and M&E reports as required and submit research activity reports
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date database of all of ongoing research and epidemiological incidences in the country and provide timely reports on the status of each activity
• Harmonize, network, and promote public-private partnerships
• Promote multi-disciplinary and inter-sectoral research collaboration
• Participate in the conceptualization, design, and implementation of research capacity building and policy engagement programs
• Participate in other activities as requested by supervisor

Skills and Experience

Items indicated with an asterisk (*) are required

• Bachelor’s degree*
  • Preferred: Master’s degree in epidemiology, statistics, public health, math, social science, or related field
• Proficient scientific writer, as evidenced by past technical reports*
• Strong research background, including quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis*
• Experience in data management software like SPSS, SAS, STATA, MS Access, and/or NVivo*
• Experience with grant writing or management, e.g. proposal development, implementing proposed projects and/or reporting back to donors, especially in a research context
• Experience with capacity building initiatives, e.g. designing or implementing efforts to strengthen an organization’s ability to perform functions, solve problems, and achieve objectives
• Familiarity with research ethics, ideally in health contexts
• Knowledge of or familiarity with monitoring and evaluation
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment
• Commitment to professional integrity and confidentiality

About the Organization

The National Health Research Authority is a regulatory body that was established under the National Health Research Act No. 2 of 2013. The mandate of the Authority derived from the Act is to enforce ethical standards in the conduct of health research. The Authority is also responsible for coordination, financing, determining priority research topics, and capacity building for health research. The Authority is also responsible for the registration and accreditation of research institutions and researchers within the country.

ROLE FUNCTION: Advocacy, Database Management, Research

ISSUE AREA: Health System Strengthening

Stipend, Benefits, and Logistics

• Monthly living stipend of $700
• Professional development funds of up to $600
• Award of $1500 upon successful completion of the fellowship year
• Housing Allowance
• Health Insurance
• Travel costs covered to and from GHC training and retreats
• Support in applying for visas and/or work permits, as necessary