icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. Established 60 years ago, we continue to provide life-saving services to the people of Bangladesh, and to nurture the next generation of global health leaders.

Research Investigator
Dhaka

Applications from women and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged.

icddr,b invites applications from suitable candidates for the position of Research Investigator in the Maternal and Child Health Division (MCHD) for a project funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development (DFATD). The appointment will be made on Fixed Term basis for 2 years which is renewable depending on performance and availability of funds.

Position description: 

The Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AdSEARCH) project of icddr,b aims to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes and realise rights among different population groups with distinct SRH needs in Bangladesh. To be implemented by researchers from different divisions of icddr,b, this research project will explore, understand, and assess some key components of SRHR among different population groups who have the highest-burden, distinct needs and vulnerabilities. These groups include adolescents and young adults, newly married couples, pregnant women, neonates and under-five children, women working in the RMG sector and key population for their particular vulnerability and/or marginalisation. The project will be focusing on generating new evidence related to family planning, abortion, post-abortion care, STI/RTIs, and reproductive cancers and maternal and neonatal health.

The Research Investigator will be required to plan, direct, and implement research activities with the objective of collecting and analyzing relevant research data for creating knowledge within the guidelines of the research protocol and organisational values and guidelines. S/he will contribute in monitoring of the activities under AdSEARCH. S/he must have strong critical thinking skills, ability to identify substantive problems that threaten the research activities, and creative capacity to resolve these problems. S/he should be proactive, dynamic, and capable of working independently.

Duties and responsibilities: 

The specific areas of duties and responsibilities are detailed below:

• Research Proposal and Protocol Development: Work with Principal Investigator (PI) in developing research concepts, creating detailed research design and methodology to submit them to the call for funding; Work with PI in developing research protocols; Circulate protocol drafts internally and externally, seek feedback and revise accordingly; Assist PI is getting approval of research protocol from Research Review Committee (RRC) and Ethical Review Committee (ERC) of icddr,b.
• Scientific Analysis, Knowledge Creation, and Translation: Critically asses data quality; Identify threats to data integrity, develop and implement sound plans to address these threats; Collect and correctly record valid data; Conduct descriptive and associative analysis, interpret data and present results to internal and external audiences;
• Scientific Capacity Building: Create Scientific and Innovative research ideas; Conduct review of relevant scientific literature; Innovative thinking in presenting the research results; Participate in writing up of the results and publish in international, peer-reviewed journals as first -author and/or co-authors;
• Project Management: Support PI to hire project staff, update budgets, track budget, arrange transport and other logistics, initiate to procure necessary items as necessary for smooth functioning of the research project; Train staff on data collection and sample collection procedures; Arrange field-testing and finalizing of data collection tools; Assign work to team members and initiate activities as per project plan; Monitor data collection and ensure data quality; Coach staff on how to address issues faced during field-work.
• People Management: Provide training to different cadre of workers, monitor and support health intervention activities and ensure quality assurance; Document project activities, maintain liaison with the government and partner organizations; Supervise other members of the team (as assigned by the PI) and support and guide them to perform their tasks efficiently.

Requirements:

Young, bright individuals who meet the following criteria and are aspiring to develop their career as public health researchers in the research-based environment at icddr,b are encouraged to apply.

Education and relevant experience:

• Masters degree in Public Health/ Statistics/ Applied Statistics/Biostatistics/Epidemiology/ Economics/ Sociology/ Anthropology/ Development Studies/ Population Science/Bioinformatics/ Information Technology or MBBS with excellent academic record from the reputed University;
• At least 3 years of working experience in public health or digital health/e-health (preferably in maternal, newborn and child health/ adolescent health /sexual and reproductive health and rights) with strong interpersonal and excellent communication and writing skills in English.
• Length of experiences may be relaxed to 2 years for the candidates who have demonstrated exceptional research skills and/or publications in international peer-reviewed journals with significant contribution.

Competencies:

Core

Innovation

• Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills;
• Ability to make new and useful ideas work;
• Ability to persuade others to follow;
• Ability to deal with ambiguity;

 People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction;
• Demonstrated leadership ability and team management;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build consensus and resolve conflicts;

 Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform;
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills;
• Fluency in English and proficiency in Bangla;

  Delivery

• Excellent organization skills;
• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgment;
• Possesses a drive for excellence;
• Superior decision-making skills;

 Technical/Functional

• Preparing and Developing Research Proposals and Protocols
• Developing Research Tools
• Developing Theory of Change/Logic Model, Performance Measurement Framework, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning plan
• Conducting review of scientific literature
• Data collection, Analysis and Report Writing
• Capable of supervising and organizing data collection activities
• Supervising Field Research Team and Monitor Quality of Data
• Regulatory Compliances
• Budgeting and Expenditure Monitoring
• Fundraising Process, Concepts and Principles
• Project Resource Management Skills
• Computer operations (MS Office, Statistical programme).

The person assessed by the Selection Panel as most suitable for the position will be proposed for appointment. Selection among short-listed candidates will also take into account performance at interview, appropriate testing, and references.

Duty station - Dhaka

No. of vacancy – 01 post

Salary - Annual Tk. 1,349,070/- inclusive of house rent and conveyance allowances and other admissible benefits.

Benefits/facilities: 14.8% provident fund contribution, income tax paid by icddr,b, children allowance @Tk.1,917/- per child per month, festival bonus, contributory healthcare support including dependent spouse and children, group life insurance and subsidized canteen. Transport and daycare facilities are subject to space availability.

Interested candidates who fulfill the requirements should submit online applications using icddr,b website: https://career.icddrb.org by January 12, 2022. Internal candidates must mention their Identification Number in the application and their performance appraisal of last 3 years will be evaluated.