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.

Applications from women and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged.

icddr,b invites applications from suitable candidates for the position of Senior 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 some key populations 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 Senior Research Investigator will be required to coordinate and provide technical assistance to the theme leads of different work packages under AdSEARCH project in the area of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, learning and knowledge management, research and reporting. S/he will be responsible for synchronizing the AdSEARCH Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) and Activity Monitoring Framework (AMF) to track the progress of different activities of the project. S/h will responsible for developing staff capacity in different aspects of PMF and AMF. 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:

MEL System Development and Management:

• Ensure strategy and plans for process documentation;
• monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning for every work packages
• lead to develop dashboard to track output and outcome level progress in different work package level and regularly share with Project Management Team

Research Proposal Development:

• Brainstorm research ideas with scientists;
• Draft proposals for study questions articulated by the team;
• Identify new research ideas and develop proposals;
• Secure funding for small projects;
• Review concept notes for peers and provide comments in order to conduct research in new areas.

Research Protocol Development

• Create detailed research design and methodology to achieve the study objectives;
• Estimate requirements for financial and non-financial resources based on research methodology;
• Identify research leaders (PIs, Co-PIs etc.) and collaborators (external partner organizations etc.) for research projects;
• Circulate protocol drafts internally and externally, seek feedback and modify accordingly;
• Seek approval from Finance, RRC, ERC etc. on protocol;
• Coordinate with Research Administration (RA) for registering projects with government/international authorities and for securing licenses or approvals for research-related activities;
• Contribute to other colleagues' research protocols in order to develop effective protocols that meet the research objectives.

Project Management/Implementation:

• Create detailed project plan covering milestones, deliverables etc.;
• Secure financial and non-financial resources and track consumptions;
• Train staff on data collection and field-test and finalize data collection tools; Assign work to team and initiate activities as per project plan;
• Supervise data collection; Coach staff on how to address issues faced during field-work;
• Monitor quality of data collected, and response rates against timelines and research criteria;
• Take corrective actions to comply with donor mandates and research protocols in order to complete the research, with adherence to quality standards and project timelines.
• Support to the project/s related to SRHR for implementation.

Scientific Analysis, Knowledge Creation and Translation

• Critically asses data quality; Apply rigorous scientific analysis to derive meaningful inferences from data;
• Guide team to analyze data and draw appropriate scientific inferences; Present findings to other scientists and seek inputs;
• Derive implications for public health; Discuss preliminary findings with key stakeholders;
• Deliberate on those inputs and develop sound scientific manuscripts;
• Actively disseminate the knowledge at conferences and seminars; Develop articles for peer-reviewed journals; Conduct peer reviews of manuscripts of other researchers;
• Provide consultation services to the Government of Bangladesh and other stakeholders in the area of scientific expertise in order to generate new knowledge based on research evidence.

Scientific Capacity Building

• Recommend staff for internal and external training programs;
• Conduct workshops and training sessions to share knowledge and experiential learning in order to develop sound scientists and researchers within the centre.

People Management

• Interview candidates and make hiring recommendations, if required;
• Promote a spirit of collegiality and gender diversity amongst team members and in the organization; Encourage team members to collaborate across areas;
• Address and resolve any diversity related issues; Set goals and conduct appraisals for the team; Set high standards and confront poor performance where needed;
• Mentor young professionals and prepare them for higher responsibilities;
• Identify and reward high performers; Recommend promotions; Take appropriate actions to manage poor performance (such as creating Performance Improvement Plans, coaching, job rotations, planning separations from icddr,b) in order to build and develop an engaged and high performing team.

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:

• Master’s in Public Health/ Statistics/ Applied Statistics/Biostatistics/ Economics/ Sociology/ Development Studies/ Population Science or relevant discipline with excellent academic result
• At least 5 years of working experience in the field of public health or digital health/e-health (preferably in maternal, newborn and child health/ adolescent health /sexual and reproductive health and rights). Proven track record of developing, implementing and reviewing Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system with strong interpersonal and excellent communication and writing skills in English. However, the length of experience may be relaxed for exceptional candidates.
• Strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative monitoring and evaluation, data science, presentation of complex data/information.

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

• Developing Theory of Change/Logic Model, Performance Measurement Framework, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning plan
• Designing and implementing Technology based MEL system/processes
• Experience of conducting and/or commissioning evaluations
• Preparing and Developing Research Proposals and Protocols
• Developing Research Tools
• 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).

Duty station - Dhaka

No. of vacancy – 01 post

Salary - Annual Tk. 1,662,920/ -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 15, 2022. Internal candidates must mention their Identification Number in the application and their performance appraisal of last 3 years will be evaluated.