Position Title: Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Reports to: Principal investigator

Program: Institute of Global Health Equity Research

Location: University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Kigali and Butaro, Rwanda

Duration: 2 years

Job summary

The post holder will work on the Research Program on understanding solutions to promote healthy Aging and reduce multi-morbidity in Rwanda project funded by the Institute for Global Health Global Innovation Challenge Award, Northwestern University, USA. The project is a collaboration between the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Northwestern University, University of Birmingham, and the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC).

As a member of the research project team which includes other health system researchers, clinicians and epidemiologists, the post holder will use his/her research and epidemiological skills to address a range of research questions relevant for healthy aging and multi-morbidity in Rwanda. The focus of the project is to collect quantitative and qualitative data to provide evidence to design novel interventions to maintain health aging and inform policy and planning. The work involves stakeholder involvement, including work with health care workers, and policy makers to ensure reach and impact of the findings.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow should bring strong quantitative analytical skills with experience in health-related research. Other preferred skills include knowledge of health systems strengthening and research, mixed methods, and experience in the field of aging and chronic diseases research. Their role will include supervision of data collectors and analysis of survey data (household and facility) and supporting survey tool development and adaptation. The post holder will be responsible for liaising and coordinating with all team members, as well as with the planning and delivery of all project-related activities. Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrable experience of working with multiple partners with different backgrounds, in different contexts are essential. Benefits for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow include working in a strong and supportive multidisciplinary, multi-country team and of working in a project with vital importance for health policy.

Key responsibilities

• Support development of the study protocol and study tools (participant and health facility data collection tools) and supervise translation of questionnaires;
• Lead household and facility survey of aging and health study in urban and rural districts in Rwanda;
• Clean, manage and analyze household survey of aging and health research, health facility survey and secondary dataset related to chronic disease surveillance survey;
• Lead development of publications and support other co-authors in dissemination work;
• To work as part of the research team to meet the objectives and deliver the research outputs of the research, including data collection, data extraction, analysis and reporting writing;
• Ensure effective communication about the project among team members and other stakeholders;
• Supervising junior researchers and research assistants;
• Supporting community engagement activities and outreach to non-academic audiences
• Organizing and participating in regular investigator meetings and ensure regular project team meetings are held to review progress, issues, risks and consult on decision making;
• Support the UGHE team to generate all the necessary reports in time in partnership with the project manager and local PI;
• To work with UGHE financial manager to manage finances and promote and ensure compliance with good practice in relation to the conduct of research, the country ethics guidelines, and other relevant UGHE and donor’s policies.

Person specification/Qualification

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• PhD in a medical (epidemiology, public health, implementation science, demography), healthcare, or related subject preferred
• Experience in analyzing quantitative survey dataset (including significant experience in the use of relevant statistical software);
• Experience in mixed methods research preferred;
• Experience with implementation science research preferred;
• Knowledge of health systems, aging and health, or chronic disease research (preferably more than one of these subject areas);
• Experience in publishing in academic journals;
• Experience of delivering on research project management
• Proven ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively as part of a research team, and to meet research deadlines;
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Evidence of good organizational skills, including effective project management; experience with community engagement preferred;
• Ability to present scientific material clearly to a professional audience in English
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite programs

BENEFITS: As per the grant proposal

To Apply

Applicants should provide: (1) a resume, (2) a cover letter, (3) names and contact information of three professional references who can attest to work experience, and (4) copies of all degrees earned. Please upload your cover letter and copies of degrees as a single PDF file under “Additional Files” on the application page.

Organization profile

The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) is on a mission to radically change the way health care is delivered around the world. UGHE is a new university based in Rwanda that is growing the next generation of global health professionals—doctors, nurses, researchers, and public health and policy experts—into leaders and change makers who strive to deliver more equitable, quality health services for all.The University launched in Rwanda in September 2015 with the Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MGHD). Through an academic experience uniquely rooted in the values of equity, students are empowered to both ease suffering at the bedside and drive transformational, systemic changes to the health system. UGHE is an initiative of Partners In Health (PIH), an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. In over nearly three decades of operating alongside public sectors in countries around the world, PIH has developed a model to deliver high quality healthcare to some of the world’s most marginalized communities. Nowhere has this impact been more profound than in Rwanda, where Inshuti Mu Buzima—PIH’s sister organization—and our government partners have driven innovation for a decade.

Members of the UGHE community are tenacious and resolute in our drive to attain social justice, make common cause with those in need, listen to and learn from others, and operate with honesty and humility as we uphold academic integrity and intellectual curiosity. The UGHE team seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team. Partners In Health is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Commitment to Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment:

At UGHE, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including community members – as well as our students, contractors, staff and visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and any form of systemic abuse, whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with UGHE’s policy.

UGHE will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of fraud, harassment, sexual harassment and any form of systemic abuse or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.