Possible Health announces vacancy for Intervention Research Manager

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Possible is a collaboration that develops and tests innovations to improve health in Nepal. Our partnership is between an independent Nepal-based non-governmental organization and a US- based non-profit. Possible envisions a world where everyone, everywhere has access to high- quality healthcare rooted in evidence, inclusion, and equity. As such, we engage in rigorous and collaborative research and innovation to address evidence, implementation, and policy gaps in the equity, quality, and accessibility of healthcare. Our research endeavors and partnerships aim to address challenges in context and from stated or established needs rather than for the novelty of research. We partner with community-based organizations, public and private sector academic institutions and research organizations to leverage research and evidence to inform and implement innovative solutions to healthcare challenges in Nepal. For the last 15 years, we have been a leader in healthcare innovation in Nepal, with partnerships spanning several national and international institutions such as Kathmandu University, Harvard Medical School, University of California San Francisco, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and University of Washington.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Possible, a non-governmental organization registered in Nepal, is seeking an Intervention Research Officer to help the roll-out and scale-up of intervention/implementation research including mental health services and behavioral interventions with Possible and its partner sites. The Research officer should see themselves as an advocate for Possible’s mission, vision, and values.

Reports to: Senior Mental Health Research Manager
Direct Reports: None
Working closely with: Possible team, advisors, and partners
Location: Kathmandu with 30-50% travel to the partner sites

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
The Research Officer will work closely with the research team and, partners to be chiefly responsible for the following areas of work:
1. Support the rollout, and evaluation of intervention and implementation research protocols at Possible and partner sites, including all data processes, analysis, and write- up for manuscripts.

• Support the roll-out of implementation and intervention research protocols at Possible; www.possiblehealth.org e: [email protected]
• Support in designing of the tools and integrate them in existing and new systems (e.g., integrating clinical and intervention research tools in relevant platforms, integrating survey questionnaires in digital platforms, e.g. REDCap);
• Support in ensuring ethical conduct of research by following protocols approved by institutional and national review boards;
• Discuss the progress and challenges at least once a week with the line manager and at least once twice a month with the research team;
• Support in forming community advisory boards (CAB) and facilitating CAB and stakeholders meeting in support of intervention and implementation research at Possible and partner sites;
• Lead or support meetings with the research team, partner sites, and advisors on research studies and facilitate cross-disciplinary learning;
• Support qualitative and quantitative data collection (e.g., helping finalize tools for focus groups, semi-structured interviews, coordinating interviews, cleaning the database for quantitative data etc.);
• Conduct regular data check to ensure quality of data collected and maintain notes accordingly for analysis;
• Coordinate with the vendors for transcription and translation of the interview records as required, and support in ensuring the quality of the work;
• Support analysts (quantitative and qualitative) during data analysis process;
• Participate in preparing manuscripts for submission to academic journals and plain language summary of the results to lay audiences.

2. Coordinate with the partner sites to implement Possible’s intervention and implementation research

• Engage with the partner sites on our research plan, activities and progress in a regular basis, liaise with them to seek support as relevant;
• Provide guidance and assistance to the CHWs/counselors/others to implement intervention manuals (e.g., improving counseling skills through regular supervision and guidance);
• Support/supervise research assistants to administer study tools, receive consent and follow all research procedures as per study protocol;
• Coordinate and provide trainings, including follow up trainings as required for CHWs/counselors/research assistants;
• Engage with partner sites and stakeholders (e.g. community-based organizations and local wards) to recruit research participants;
• Support research/support team in data validation during the research process;
• Assist the team in executing protocols for disseminating research findings in lay media. www.possiblehealth.org e: [email protected]

3. Support to documentation, and reporting of the research process, including adverse/untoward events

• Work closely with research and support team (e.g.CHWs/RAs/counselors) in the field to ensure proper documentation of the research activities, data quality issues, and storage and transport of the research documents.
• Maintain documentation on the challenges and issues raised during the recruitment, intervention and follow up process of the research participants
• Support research team in identifying and recording adverse/untoward events in the field during the recruitment and follow up process.
• Provide support to reporting and other funders’ requirements for research studies.

Must Haves:

1. Commitment to Possible’s Values, Mission & Vision
2.  Familiarization of qualitative and quantitative research: The Research Officer must possess basic understanding of research process and should be familiar with quantitative and qualitative research methods.
3.  Ability to work independently and with a diverse team and a strong motivation and flexibility to travel to urban, semi-urban, and remote areas in Nepal
4.  Passionate about intervention research and research uptake: Preference would be given to those who have experience in Mental health, behavioral health and intervention research.
5.  Qualifications: Master’s in public health/ social sciences/psychology and relevant field; at least one year of research related experience; Proficiency in written and spoken English; high-level fluency in Nepali; proficiency in Maithili (preferred). Nepali Citizen based in Nepal.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Email CV and cover letter to [email protected]. When applying please include name and position in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until 10th of August 2022. If we believe that you and Possible are good potential fit, we will contact you to advance the application process. Please note that due to a large volume of applications, we may not individually respond to your application.