We are seeking an experienced researcher to support
the design, implementation, analysis and write up of research studies across
our Nutrition portfolio and play a meaningful role in helping us drive forward
our research agenda. The Nutrition Researcher will be technically responsible
for the production of evidence – including crafting analysis plans, performing
analyses, and writing up peer-review manuscripts – as well as contributing to
the development and set up of new studies.
Major Responsibilities
New Project Development
Lead the conceptualization, design, and development
of new research projects, including writing study protocols, drafting analysis
plans, developing, and validating tools for implementation, monitoring, and
collecting data.
Lead the identification and engagement of
international and local scientific partners to enhance scientific rigor,
credibility, and local uptake.
Participate in funding acquisition via contributing
to proposal writing and preparing study budgets in close collaboration with
country teams.
Lead the engagement with country teams to ensure alignment of study idea and proper planning and contribution during the design, funding acquisition and field preparation phase
Lead ethical approval processes for new studies,
including writing, submitting, and managing ethics approval requests at
national and international levels.
Advise on the set up of data collection, monitoring,
and study implementation.
Provide hands-on support to the set up and roll out
of studies and surveys via visits to the field and collaborating with local
partners and field teams.
Study Implementation and Field Team Support
Supervise the Research Coordinators/Managers in
country via Management in Partnership arrangements with country office
counterparts.
Oversee the planning of studies including the set-up
of spending, HR, procurement and implementation plans and the monitoring of the
timely execution.
Provide on-going training on implementation, data
collection and monitoring to field teams.
Partner with data management and analysis teams to
ensure regular data monitoring and provide concrete action steps for field
teams to improve implementation and data quality.
Participate in on-site supervision of ongoing studies
and provide training via regular field visits.
Work with our communications team on documentation
and materials for external communication and be the focal point between field
and HQ in communication activities.
Ensure thorough documentation of learning from
research projects.
Evidence Production
Draft analysis plans for answering priority research
questions with the existing data in collaboration with scientific advisors and
the IRC nutrition research team.
Perform data analysis using Stata or R according to
validated analysis plans and including step-by-step explanations and
interpretation of output.
Lead and contribute to the write up manuscripts for
peer-reviewed and practitioner journals, including the submission and revision
of manuscripts in collaboration with co-authors.
Identify and connect with internal and external
experts for guidance and collaboration on different evidence pieces.
Oversee consultants and students working on specific
evidence production pieces.
Present findings from studies to internal and
external audiences including in conferences and webinars and other appropriate
platforms
Job Requirements
Education and Experience
Masters/PhD in Public Health, Nutrition, or related
field.
A minimum 6 years (if master’s level) or 4 years (if
PhD level) of experience in research project design, implementation, and
production of evidence in the field of health/nutrition.
Experience in nutrition programming and/or research.
Experience leading research projects in the field in
fragile and development settings.
Experience in community-based management of acute
malnutrition (CMAM) strongly preferred.
Demonstrated Skills And Competencies
Strong data analysis skills including data
manipulation in statistical software (STATA or R), analysis, sampling, and
epidemiology.
Demonstrated competency in writing quantitative
research articles (please add references to CV).
Competency in qualitative research is a plus.
Good coordination and communication skills to
collaborate with scientific advisors in the development of protocols and write
up of peer-review manuscripts.
Ability to take decisions and advance in situations
with potentially diverging opinions.
Good IT skills required (Windows environment,
Microsoft Office package
Working knowledge of mobile data collection software
(CommCare, ODK preferred).
Ability to work independently while being an active
member of the research team.
Committed to upholding diversity, equality and
inclusion principles.
Language skills: Fluency in English and working proficiency in French is
required.
How To Apply
