Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Job Vacancy : Research Associate – Study Respondent Retention

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Job Vacancy : Research Associate – Study Respondent Retention
March 9, 2015 Job Description
Reports to: Implementation Manager
Location: Western Kenya
Deadline to apply: Applicants are reviewed on a rolling basis
Desired start date: April 2015
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) discovers and promotes effective solutions to global poverty problems. IPA designs, rigorously evaluates, and refines these solutions and their applications together with decision-makers to ensure that the evidence created is used to improve opportunities for the world’s poor. Since our founding in 2002, IPA has worked with over 350 leading academics to conduct over 450 evaluations in 51 countries. This research has informed hundreds of successful programs that now impact millions of individuals worldwide.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The Study Respondent Retention Research Associate 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 Study Respondent Retention Research Associate, 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 Study Respondent Retention Research Associate 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 Student Respondent Retention Research Associate 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
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements: 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
Submit your CV and Application online : Click Here