Job Description

Title: Research Officer - Somali National

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children's lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential.

We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

We have over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.9 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection, and child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises.

Following a major transition, our international programmes are now delivered through a merged operation with 15,000 staff, managed through seven regional hubs and reporting to a relatively small, central office. We're changing to become more efficient, more aligned, a better partner, a stronger advocate, a magnet for world-class people and relevant for the 21st century.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Employment is subject to our Child protection standards including background checks and adherence to our Child Safeguarding Policy Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best qualified talent.

Disclaimer:

Save the Children International does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process and does not act through recruitment agents.

JOB TITLE: Research Officer: iCCM Plus - Somaliland Effectiveness Trial (iPlusSET)

TEAM/PROGRAMME: REALM/ PDQ

LOCATION: Hargeisa

GRADE: 4

TYPE OF CONTRACT: National (Length 12 months)

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 2: the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g., once a week or more) or intensively (e.g., four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work within country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE: To implement and roll out the effectiveness trial on integrating treatment of acute malnutrition by FHWs into iCCM (referred to as iCCM Plus hereafter) in Somaliland. Despite chronically high rates of acute malnutrition, access to treatment remains low for many children throughout Somaliland due to distance, time, and lack of outreach services. Save the Children has been working with the Ministry of Health and other partners to adapt and develop a simplified and combined treatment approach for FHWs to deliver in targeted communities. This approach will build on already existing iCCM programme and aim to increase treatment coverage compared to facility-based care alone. The Research officers will ensure that tools and procedures are harmonised across research sites. The incumbent will train, couch, and supervise enumerators, maintain records, and ensure ethical participation.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports directly to: Research and ICCM+ Coordinator

Indirectly reports to (dotted lines with): Principal Investigator

Staff reporting to this post: None

Indirect reports: Trial Research

Budget Responsibilities: TBD

Primary Technical area: Research, Nutrition and Health

Secondary Technical area: Nutrition, Health and Data management.

Role Dimensions: Role holder will work closely with SC Somalia/Somaliland Office ICCM, Nutrition and Health, Advocacy/Campaigns, Business Development, Awards and Supply Chain and Ops teams. The position is expected to work collaboratively with technical experts from Somalia/Somaliland Country Office, SC UK, Programme Operations, as well a local University in Somaliland, relevant government departments and the University College London of the UK. The post holder will coordinate research activities and deliverables across the different teams to efficiently implement a cluster randomized control trial of iCCM+ in selected districts from Somaliland. Save the Children works in all regions in Somaliland, with a current staff complement of approximately 180 staff and an expenditure of approximately US$30 million each year.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Managing research deliverables:

• Regularly communicate and liaise with the SCI Research coordinator, UCL Research Coordinator, Data Manager, and Principal Investigator and about the design and conduct of the study

• Work with the SCI research and nutrition coordinator to assist with the design, translation, and testing of the data collection tools using

• Participate the development of data collection plan and protocols (procurement, logistics and route plan) and ensuring it adheres to the data collection budget.

• Arrange and assist with training of the study data collectors

• Implement the field data collection process including organisation of transport, equipment and other supplies that may be necessary.

• Communicate and liaise with the administration team in SC Somalia/Somaliland to ensure the above are in place in a timely way to allow for the smooth conduct of the study.

• Ensure the study data collectors receive and act upon all security and safety information.

• Communicate and liaise with the iCCM+ programme manager as necessary

• Assisting in coordinating relationships with partner organizations and researchers

• Support iCCM+ trial activities including logistics and Monitoring and reporting activities, this includes coordination with communities and stakeholders, preparation of logistics and other support needed to collect the data.

• Assist as requested with conducting data analysis and drafting reports and papers for dissemination.

• As assigned by your supervisor, perform other tasks, which are consistent with your level in the organization and support the implementation of the iCCM+ study.

Coordination and Representation

1. Represent SCI in relevant coordination meetings to disseminate information about the iCCM+ study

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability and willingness to travel to various, remote, rural, project sites, as COVID-19 situation permits.

2. Ability to perform the essential job functions consistent safely and successfully with government standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards

3. Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance.

4. Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone and during online communications

COMPETENCIES AND BEHAVIOURS

Delivering Results (Skilled)

1. Delivers timely and appropriate results using available resources

2. Takes responsibility for their work and its impact on others

3. Plans, prioritizes, and performs tasks well without needing direct supervision

4. Understands the link between their work and the organization’s objectives

Problem Solving & Decision Making (Skilled)

1. Gathers the right information and uses critical thinking to make effective and timely decisions

2. Knows when to involve others in a decision

3. Simplifies processes and procedures wherever possible

Applying Technical & Professional Expertise (Skilled)

1. Delivers work that reflects a good knowledge and application of technical and professional standards

2. Keeps up to date with trends in their work area

3. Maintains ethical and professional behavior in accordance with relevant codes of conducts

Working Effectively with Others (Skilled)

1. Actively listens to new and different perspectives and experiences of those they work with

2. Proactively supports team members and trusts their capabilities

3. Demonstrates understanding of their skills and how they complement those of others within diverse teams and groups

4. Clarifies their role and responsibilities within the team to maximize impact.

5. Willingness to travel and live in remote rural locations in Somaliland.

Communicating with Impact (Skilled)

1. Ensures communications are concise and well-structured

2. Shares appropriate relevant and timely information with others

Skills and Qualifications

1. Undergraduate qualification in Nutrition or health (essential), Statistics, Biostatistics, Research Methods, Data Science, or a related field

2. Postgraduate qualifications in similar related fields are an added advantage

AND EXPERIENCE

1. At least 3 years’ experience in an international NGO preferably in research, monitoring and evaluations.

2. Experience with good nutrition background and quantitative research

3. Experience of running and collecting a continues data and managing the survey implementation and data entry process

4. Have a proven record in managing computer assisted personal interviews (CAPI) on platforms like ODK, Kobo Toolbox, and ONA etc.

5. Demonstrated proficiency in Statistical packages like STATA or SPSS

6. Traceable experience in nutrition data management and cleaning on data from CMAM

7. Good computer skills including use of the MS Office package.

8. Demonstrated ability to manage relationships with partner organizations

9. Excellent management and organizational skills

10. Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude.

11. Strong communication and presentation skills, along with excellent report writing skills,

12. Fluency and excellent communication skills in Somali and English languages.

13. Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a team player

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties which are deemed reasonable for their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out their duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Adult Safeguarding.

The post holder is required to carry out their duties in accordance with the SCI code of conduct, SCI Anti-harassment Policy and the SCI Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA) Policy.

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

How to apply

Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best qualified talent.

Female qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Interested and qualified applicants can view the profile and apply for this position through the below URLs: -

https://stcuk.taleo.net/careersection/jobdetail.ftl?job=220006JR&lang=en

Closing Date will 7th of September 2022.