IPA Study Respondent Retention Research Associate Job in Western Kenya

IPA Study Respondent Retention Research Associate Job in Western Kenya
February 10, 2015 Job Description

WASH Benefits Project

Position: Research Associate – Study Respondent RetentionStart Date:

As soon as possible

Location: Western 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 Research Associate- Study Respondent Retention under the general supervision of the Implementation Manager and within the limits of Innovations for Poverty Action-Kenya policies and procedures, coordinates the facilitation of assigned Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Benefits project activities and functions within IPAK.
Below is a list of some of the general duties and responsibilities of the Research Associate- Study Respondent Retention, to be carried out as needed according to the determination of the Implementation Manager and the Research Manager.
Depending on the qualifications of the accepted applicant, the position offered could be for a Senior Research Associate.

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) seeks a qualified applicant for the position of Research Associate – Study Respondent Retention 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. Study respondent retention and tracking is of paramount importance for data collection and quality.
The position offers an opportunity to gain on-the-ground data collection and management experience as part of a high-profile water, sanitation, hygiene, and child health impact evaluation project.
The Study Respondent Retention RA will work with several WASH Benefits teams to maximize efficiency in tracking, maintaining contact and carrying out data collection activities with study respondents who are no longer in the villages in which they were originally enrolled.
This position is located in Western Kenya, and the principal investigators (PIs) are Clair Null and Michael Kremer.

Responsibilities: The Research Associate- Student Respondent Retention will work closely with senior project management to support and supervise a variety of tasks across two offices (Kakamega and Bungoma) and remote locations including, but not limited to:
Analyzing data to determine most cost-effective use of resources to boost sample size and reduce bias due to attrition and migration of study respondents
Developing protocols for locating respondents and subsequent data collection, including coming up with the most cost-effective methods for assigning field staff to respondents
Liaising with the data management team to develop procedures for managing data flow so that data collected during tracking visits can be integrated with the main WASH Benefits dataset
Lead in developing, improving and modifying and complex electronic data collection instruments in SurveyCTO
In consultation with the Implementation Manager, developing necessary policies to govern field staff who work remotely
Hiring, training, and managing the field teams that will conduct the tracking visits.
Supervise one Project Manager, field staff, and data entry clerks
Compile periodic reports on the progress of data collection activities with respondents who have left their study village
Support the 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
Any other tasks assigned related to the WASH Benefits project
The WASH Benefits project will be spread over a relatively large geographic area, so willingness to travel and ability to manage across project sites is essential.

Required Qualifications and Experience:
Advanced proficiency with Excel
A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a quantitative social science, engineering or related field
Minimum of two years of experience in with an emphasis on complex logistical planning, field team management and data management
Excellent written and oral communication skills and complete fluency in English
Highly organized and detail-oriented, enjoys working with data and people
Excellent management, critical thinking and interpersonal skills
Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and team player
Desired Qualifications and Experience:
Stata programming skills
Experience with creating data collection tools in SurveyCTO, Open Data Kit (ODK) or similar software
Experience with relational databases
GIS data management and analysis skills
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
We are looking for a commitment period of 1 year for this position with the possibility to extend.

How to Apply

To Apply: 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- STUDY RESPONDENT RETENTION REF NO: REF NO: WASH B-2015-02-02.
Deadline to Apply: 28th February 2015
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 _ Study Respondent Retention. 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.