Research Assistant – IGHER

Description

Job Title: Research Assistant, Institute of global health equity research 

Department: Office of the Dean of Research, Innovation and quality/Director of IGHER 

Report to: Director of IGHER

Location: Butaro campus 

Job Overview 

The Research Assistant will play a pivotal role in supporting the diverse research activities conducted at the Institute of Global Health Equity Research (IGHER), with a unique focus on the establishment of a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). This position offers an enriching opportunity to gain valuable experience in a fast-paced research setting, contributing to impactful projects that address pressing global health concerns and the development of a critical population health surveillance tool.

Responsibilities 

• Research Support:
  • Assist researchers with various projects, including literature reviews, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
  • Prepare research protocols, grant proposals, and technical reports, ensuring accuracy and adherence to ethical guidelines.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of research tools and methodologies, such as surveys and questionnaires, specific to the HDSS and other research projects.
  • Manage and maintain research databases, ensuring data integrity and facilitating efficient retrieval.
• HDSS Development and Implementation (New):
  • Work closely with the HDSS team to establish the system framework, including defining the study population, sampling strategies, and data collection methods.
  • Assist with the development of data collection tools and protocols specific to the HDSS, ensuring they are culturally appropriate and efficient.
  • Participate in pilot testing of HDSS tools and procedures, providing feedback for refinement.
  • Contribute to the development of community engagement strategies for the HDSS, fostering collaboration and participation.
• Communication and Collaboration:
  • Prepare presentations and reports summarizing research findings for dissemination to a diverse audience.
  • Communicate effectively with researchers, collaborators, stakeholders, and community members, both internally and externally.
  • Maintain a positive and collaborative work environment, fostering open communication and teamwork.
• Additional Responsibilities:
  • Stay informed about current trends and developments in relevant global health research areas, particularly those related to HDSS.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Institute or research team leads.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Global Health, Demography, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Strong research skills, including experience with literature reviews, data collection, analysis, and scientific writing.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with statistical software (e.g., Stata, SPSS) a plus.
• Prior research experience, particularly in global health settings, is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken. Proficiency in Kinyarwanda is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail, a commitment to accuracy, and a meticulous work ethic.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for global health research and a desire to contribute to positive change.
• Experience working with community engagement strategies in research settings (a plus).
• Understanding of demographic surveillance methods and principles (a plus)