Job posting: Research assistant
Terms of Reference (TOR)
– Research Assistant –
6 months Contract
McGill International TB Centre support End TB efforts to engage the private sector, specifically private providers. One of the key strategies in contributing to the End TB goals is to close the know-do gap in the area of private sector engagement in TB and accelerate uptake of what works in assessing, mobilizing and motivating private providers. Focus will be on documenting implementation lessons in India, Indonesia and Nigeria, and other countries with a large private sector.
Many of the stakeholders in the TBPPM Learning Network have years of public-private mix (PPM) experience and related data and information as part of their implementation work. To support increased cross-analysis of information and interaction amongst stakeholders of the TBPPM Learning Network, a research assistant will be recruited to support data-analysis, scientific writing, literature review, research (qualitative and quantitative).
A Research Assistant will support work in the following areas:
1. Private Sector Assessment
COVID19 has completely changed the landscape in which TB services function at country level and the private sector services have been heavily impacted. It is expected that various innovative interactions with the private sector will be worthwhile in maintaining post-pandemic recovery to strengthen TB care and systems.
The research assistant will support the quantitative data-collection/ -analysis/ -reporting of the private sector assessment currently being planned in India.
In addition, the research assistant will focus on case-stories on specific ‘on-the-ground-opportunities’, including leading the qualitative data-collection and analysis, as well as writing up the results.
Expected outcomes:
Data-collection and analysis framework
Case-stories on innovative PPM
Report, write-ups, articles, presentations
2. Research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the private sector in 3 countries
The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns have had enormous effects on routine health services in all countries. Tuberculosis (TB) care, which affects 10 million people every year, has been badly disrupted in most settings, especially in countries with a high burden of TB. Our concurrent mixed methods research in 3 countries will use cross-sectional and standardized patient surveys, as well as qualitative
interviews, to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the functioning of private healthcare markets and identify the implications for TB private provider engagement.
The research assistant will support country teams as needed with the data-collection process and the subsequent analysis and reporting of research results. Additionally, the research assistant will assist the research manager prepare periodic funders reports.
Expected outcomes:
Data collection support to country teams including provision of technical assistance and relevant trainings on data collection software and tools
Data analysis of the different surveys and interviews
Support for manuscript and report writing
Webinar presentations, report and manuscripts writing
Other support as needed
3. Document data from ‘public private implementation organizations’ - Academic publications
The research assistant will collaborate with in-country implementation agencies to coordinate the development and publication process of 2-3 articles on various issues relevant to PPM, including: a) engagement of private sector in various stages of the TB care-cascade; b) Impact of COVID19 and lockdown on TB programs in the private sector, particularly private providers; c) short summary of recent scientific articles related to PPM, etc.
The research assistant will closely collaborate with individuals in the TBPPM community and support the knowledge transfer of their organizations in their specific topic of expertise related to PPM. This can be in form of co-writing a blog, documenting existing data into a publication, collect additional opinions/ answers, interviewing community members. The research assistant will develop a list of topics in discussion with the Research Lead.
Expected outcomes:
Publications, indicating implementing partners as lead.
Short write-ups for TBPPM LN synthesizing academic findings (blogs).
Identify relevant resources to the TBPPM LN
4. Support other upcoming projects and tasks
The research assistant will support any other research-related work in the Gates foundation grant, and therefore will assist needed tasks as identified by the Research Lead.
Profile:
Qualifications: Master’s in health science, epidemiology, public health or equivalent.
Experience and Skills:
Experience in mixed methods research;
Computer-programming and software skills are required, and hands-on experience in quantitative and qualitative software programs (e.g. KoboToolBox, R, SAS, SPSS, Nvivo or Quirkos) an asset;
Communications skills are essential (writing, in-person, moderating), as well as people-management skill
Excellent organizational skills;
Ability to work independently and within a team;
Maintains confidentiality and discretion at all times;
Other
Canadian citizen or resident (or valid Canadian work permit)
Time commitment: 20 hours per week (part-time), Monday to Friday.
Duration of appointment: 6 months, initially. Contract may be extended based on need and availability.
Salary: Based on experience.
How to apply:
Send your resume and cover letter to charity.omenka@rimuhc.ca on or before the 20th of January 2021.