Research Coordinator Career Placement – Georgetown University Institute for Reproductive Health (IRH)

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Organization: Georgetown University Institute for
Reproductive Health (IRH)
Funding Source: USAID
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Reports to: IRH Country Coordinator
About US:
The Georgetown University
Institute for Reproductive Health (IRH) is dedicated to improving the sexual
and reproductive health of women, men and youth through a research-to-practice
agenda. Our emphasis is on increasing access to and use of family planning,
increasing fertility awareness through life-stage appropriate interventions,
expanding access to fertility awareness-based family planning methods in an
informed choice context, and developing scalable interventions to transform
gender norms and catalyze the diffusion of social norms that support family
planning. Cross-cutting themes in the Institute’s work include the diffusion of
social norms that support sexual and reproductive health, scale up of
innovations, and incorporating gender perspectives in reproductive health. In
partnership with a wide range of international and local organizations, IRH
conducts research, builds capacity, and provides technical assistance to public
and private-sector organizations in lower and middle-income countries and the
U.S. The Institute is supported by grants from U.S. foundations and government
agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
About USAID REAL Project:
The Responsible, Engaged and
Loving (REAL) Fathers Initiative is a two-part initiative. The first part of
this initiative is a two-year project funded by private foundations and implemented
by IRH and local implementing partners. This project aims to build positive
partnerships and parenting practices among young fathers (aged 16-25) in
post-conflict Northern Uganda to reduce the incidence of intimate partner
violence (IPV) and physical punishment of children. The second part of this
initiative is a two-year expansion project funded by USAID/Uganda and
implemented by IRH in partnership with Save the Children (SC). This project
aims to develop and pilot three intervention models [from the first part of
this initiative] to integrate into youth groups, early child development
programs and livelihoods groups in order to lay the groundwork for wide-spread
IPV prevention throughout Uganda.
About USAID FACT Project:
The Fertility Awareness for
Community Transformation (FACT) Project is a five-year project funded by USAID
and implemented by IRH in partnership with SC. The FACT Project aims to reduce
unmet need for family planning through improved fertility awareness and
expanded availability of Fertility Awareness-based Methods (FAM) among men and
women.
The Gender Roles, Equality,
and Transformations (GREAT) Project is a six and a half-year project funded by
the USAID and implemented by IRH, in partnership with SC, Pathfinder
International, and their respective implementing partners, Straight Talk
Foundation (STF) and Concerned Partners Association (CPA). The GREAT Project
aims to develop and test life-stage specific strategies to promote
gender-equitable attitudes and behaviors among adolescents and their
communities with the goal of reducing gender-based violence and improving
sexual and reproductive health outcomes in post-conflict communities in
Northern Uganda.
About USAID SOCY Project:
The Sustainable Outcomes for
Children and Youth (SOCY) Project, is a five-year project funded by USAID and
implemented by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in partnership with Action for
Community Development (ACODEV), African Network for Prevention and Protection
against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN), TPO Uganda, Futures Group, and IRH.
The project objective is to improve the health, nutrition, education and
psychosocial wellbeing of vulnerable populations, as well as reduce abuse,
exploitation and neglect to a minimum of 625,000 children and 101,500
households in 17 districts in central and western Uganda, based on
PEPFAR-approved districts. IRH’s role on the SOCY Project is to 1) design and
lead both the gender and youth analyses across project objectives and
geographic areas; and 2) develop and pilot a culturally appropriate,
gender-sensitive model (based on the GREAT intervention) to support and nurture
the social development of Ugandan youth in two sub-counties of Luwero district
and one sub-county in Mityana district.
Job Summary: The Research Coordinator will provide
technical guidance and research support (quantitative and qualitative) for all
IRH projects in Uganda, with a focus on the REAL Fathers Initiative (expansion
phase) and the SOCY Project in central and western Uganda. For the SOCY
Project, s/he will be responsible for guiding all phases of the
research-to-practice continuum, including serving as a field manager to lead
the gender and youth analyses, manage the selected local research
organization/research assistants, support the development and documentation of
an adapted GREAT model, and contribute to the development and implementation of
the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system, learning agenda, data
collection, quality assurance, data management and utilization and
dissemination of data. For the REAL Fathers Initiative, s/he will be responsible
for leading data collection and reporting, in collaboration with partners. S/he
will participate in study design; develop and test research tools, manage IRB
submissions, conduct focus groups, surveys, and in-depth interviews; oversee
data management, participate in analysis, and manage local consultants. S/he
may also train and support staff from partner organizations who collect data
and lead regular project monitoring meetings. S/he will also ensure timely
sharing and utilization of monitoring and evaluation data for program
decision-making. Depending on research and M&E needs, s/he may also be
asked to support activities for the GREAT Project and FACT Project. The
Research Coordinator may be asked to represent the Institute in relevant
forums, including meetings with project partners, donors, and other
stakeholders. S/he may also be involved in meetings and events to present
findings to stakeholders and report on project activities. S/he will coordinate
regularly with Washington, DC staff to ensure that data are effectively
reported, presented and used to improve the project activities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
 
1. Research and M&E:
  • Actively
    facilitate development of monitoring tools and study protocols;
  • Create
    and field test monitoring tools, in collaboration with partners;
  • Technically
    support Futures Group’s training activities related to monitoring
    procedures and M&E standards;
  • Provide
    field-based technical support on M&E;
  • Actively
    facilitate submission and approval of research protocols to the Ugandan
    IRB;
  • Technically
    support the recruitment process for and management of research
    organization(s) contracted to conduct situation, gender, and youth
    analyses, surveys and special studies, as needed;
  • Actively
    monitor and support the execution of research and M&E activities
    including household surveys, qualitative assessments, LQAS, and cohort
    interviews, as required;
  • Coordinate
    and monitor data collection, analysis and utilization;
  • Participate
    in technical meetings as required;
  • Compile
    monitoring data to be submitted to IRH HQ quarterly.
2. Program Management and Administration:
  • Have
    a complete understanding of relevant IRH projects in Uganda, including
    their goal/purpose, objectives, target groups and approaches.
  • Maintain
    close communication with IRH HQ staff and externally with implementing
    partners, stakeholders and donors.
  • Build
    and strengthen working relationships with implementing partners and key
    stakeholders to obtain their input into research design, analysis, interpretation
    and application.
  • Organize
    meetings with implementing partners and stakeholders to obtain feedback on
    project progress and assist with coordinating partner meetings for IRH HQ
    staff and partners.
  • Attend
    meetings with USAID Mission, as well as line ministries as requested/needed.
  • Ensure
    accurate, timely reporting to IRH HQ staff, partners and USAID on project
    processes and deliverables.
3. Representation, Networking and Collaboration:
  • Represent
    IRH in relevant forums and develop/maintain relationships with
    implementing partners and other stakeholders to promote the integration,
    ownership and sustainability of IRH projects.
  • Actively
    participate in identification of opportunities to support and/or expand
    IRH project activities and strategic vision with relevant public and
    private sector entities.
  • Assist
    with business development opportunities as needed, including attending
    relevant meetings and events.
  • Perform
    any other tasks in line with the essential functions mentioned above may
    be required.
Qualifications, Skills and
Experience:  
  • The
    ideal candidate for the Research Coordinator vacancy should hold a Post-graduate
    degree in public health, anthropology, sociology, demography, or a related
    social sciences field
  • At
    least three to five years’ experience in the implementation of a range of
    program monitoring and evaluation and/or social research including
    qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis;
  • Working
    knowledge of child protection, orphans and vulnerable children, (OVC)
    and/or gender-based violence prevention programming;
  • Demonstrated
    experience in research-to-practice efforts, especially in applying
    research results to improve program performance and conversely, in
    ensuring performance indicators are achieved;
  • Excellent
    communications skills and the capacity to explain the purpose of gathering
    M&E indicators and data to a broader audience;
  • Sound
    understanding of M&E principles and quality standards;
  • Past
    experience developing and conducting qualitative research, including Desk
    reviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs),
    and/or cohort in-depth interviews; experience conducting costing studies
    desired.
  • Prior
    experience in training in research and M&E topics;
  • Past
    exposure and experience scaling up pilot health interventions desired;
  • Experience
    working in post-conflict communities;
  • Past
    experience or technical knowledge of USAID M&E reporting systems and
    requirements preferred;
  • Proven
    ability to work in a collaborative, professional fashion, with an eye to
    understanding political and other factors operating within partner
    organizations;
  • Past
    experience in program management, including developing scopes of work,
    work plans, and budgets;
  • Excellent
    organizational skills, verbal & written communication skills;
  • Excellent
    analytical and problem-solving skills;
  • Good
    knowledge of computer applications and experience with Microsoft Office
    programs;
  • Fluent
    spoken and written English; knowledge of Acholi/Luo, Karamojong, Nubi,
    Ruuli, Luganda, Runyoro/Rutoro, and/or Runyankole/Rukiga preferred.
How to Apply:  
All candidates are strongly
encouraged to Email their resumes and cover letters to Emily Arach at
earach.great.irh@gmail.com with the subject line “Research Coordinator – Uganda.”
Please specify where you found the job advertisement. (theugandanjobline.com
website)
Deadline: 10th June,
2015

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