DISTRICT RESEARCH OFFICER - JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION

District CRADLE Research Officer

- 8 positions available

LOCATION

Staff will be based in one of the following 8 districts:

Tonkolili, Koinadugu, Kono, Kailahun, Bonthe, Moyamba, Karene, Falaba

START DATE

January 2022

HOURS

45 hours a week – contracted

DURATION

18 months

SALARY

Competitive salary

APPLICATION

To apply, submit an updated CV (no longer than 2 pages), and cover letter and 2 references. Please specify which district position you are applying to. Interviews will be held between 29th November and 10th December in person in the district where you are applying to.

BACKGROUND

The CRADLE VSA Programme is a Ministry of Health and Sanitation maternal health initiative supported by King’s College London and Welbodi Partnership providing novel vital signs devices and emergency obstetric triage training in all facilities providing maternal healthcare across all districts in Sierra Leone (www.cradletrial.org) to improve obstetric care, ensure timely referrals and reduce maternal mortality. As part of the second Phase of the national rollout, the programme will be targeting the districts of Tonkolili, Koinadugu, Kono, Kailahun, Bonthe, Moyamba, Karene and Falaba and be collecting more detailed data on clinical health outcomes at both PHU and hospital facility level.

The District CRADLE Data Collector will work in the district under the guidance and supervision of the Welbodi Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager and Welbodi Programme Manager, reporting important feedback on the programme’s field research activities. The post holder will be leading data collection, data inputting, field reporting and other research activities required for the programme. He/She will be representing the programme in the district and ensuring respectful and professional engagement with medical professionals from the District Health Management Team, Hospitals and PHUs, as well as local authorities, community chiefs and pregnant women. Based in her/his district, this role will require frequent travel to and days to be spent in the field in PHUs in remote Chiefdoms. Candidates are required to have an in depth knowledge of the Sierra Leone healthcare system and their target district, including stakeholder and community dynamics. All research data collection methods should ensure that data is valid, reliable and credible, and in line with ethical approvals.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

• District Health Management Team (DHMT)

• Peripheral Health Unit (PHU) and Hospital Staff

• Local authorities and Community Leaders

• Health led services and pregnant women

• Welbodi Programme Manager & Welbodi MEL Manager

TASKS & RESPONSIBILTIES

The CRADLE District Data Collector will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the CRADLE district research and data collection activities by:

▪ Identifying, establishing and maintaining strong contact with medical professionals from the District Health Management Team, Hospitals and PHUs

▪ Collecting clinical data from the DHMT, hospitals and PHUs, as well as routinely collected ministry data through effective communication, diplomacy and respect with partners ▪ Seeking out respondents who fit the suggested profiles in assigned locations and collecting data based on questionnaires developed and supplied by the programme

▪ Collecting, gathering and accurately recording responses on questionnaires & research forms

▪ Ensuring that questionnaires/research forms have been thoroughly checked and completed ▪ Inputting, uploading and submitting completed research forms on the Programme data collection software, and, if required, compiling findings in a format required by the Programme Manager

▪ Recognizing and reporting in a timely fashion any problems in obtaining data and district level activities and dynamics and providing feedback from field research activities ▪ Working according to the programme’s needs and on a project-by-project basis. ▪ Liaising with local authorities and community Chiefs and representing the programme at district level

▪ Liaising with Welbodi Programme Manager and MEL Manager regarding information/data gathered, producing reports and maintaining a strong, weekly line of communication and engagement

▪ Adhering to confidentiality procedures, policies and legal requirements when collecting, storing and sharing data

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

• QUALIFICATIONS:

o A recognised professional degree in Public Health, Economics or Statistics and/or current registrations as a State Registered Nurse or Midwife

• EXPERIENCE:

o Demonstrated prior experience in data collection, administering questionnaires, conducting interviews and data entry

o Experience in health service delivery, research or Non-Governmental Organisation project implementation in Sierra Leone

• KNOWLEDGE:

o Knowledge of district dynamics, communities, Chiefdoms and geography. o Knowledge of District Health Management Teams, PHUs and Hospitals in districts. o Demonstrated ability to 1. Assess needs, 2. Lead research collection in the field, 3. Ensure accurate and timely data inputting and 4. Evaluate results.

o Knowledge of relevant evidence-based approaches to improving maternal, neonatal, and child health, and of national strategies.

• SKILLS:

o Outstanding computer literacy with excellent skills in Excel, Word and PowerPoint, and able to pick up the required skills to input into novel data collection software o Ability to self-motivate and work autonomously within the scope of the role with minimal supervision.

o Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal communication skills, and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across different hierarchy lines.

o Ability to work well under pressure and deliver deadlines whilst maintaining an excellent level of written and oral communication and respectful working

relationships

• OTHER:

o Fluency in language of the district’s specific language(s).

o Confidence, diplomacy and sensitivity in working with local authorities, healthcare providers and senior staff from partner organisations including the Government. o A team player who shows enthusiasm and is committed to the goals and principles of Welbodi Partnership.

o Must not hold a pin code or should not be a current civil servant employed and actively working for the Government of Sierra Leone

• VALUES:

o Honesty: Shows a high level of integrity and will not fabricate responses or misrepresent the programme.

o Communication: Confidently expresses self, able to clearly ask questions and help the respondent understand what is needed from her/him.

o Relationship Building: Able to build trust with people at DHMT, PHUs and Hospitals and maintain confidentiality.

o Accuracy: Must be able to interpret and record responses appropriately without distorting the respondent’s meaning or confusing the reader.

o Endurance: Must be able to work for full day working hours in the field across a number of days

o Pro-activeness to lead activities independently

o Responsiveness toward the Welbodi Programme Manager and MEL Manager

TERMS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Working hours: Full time (45 hours per week)

- Due to the nature of the role, the post holder may be expected

to accommodate flexible working hours, including weekends, when required Probationary period: 3 months - During the first 3 months the contract may be terminated with 1 weeks’ notice.

Salary: Competitive salary and benefits package based on experience and skill

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, submit an updated CV (No Longer Than 2 pages), a cover letter and 2 references to:

datacollection@welbodipartnership.org

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 26th November 2021.

Applications will only be accepted from people living or working in one of the districts listed above. Interviews will be held between 29th November and 10th December in district in person. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to the interview.

Please ensure that you include the district you are applying for in the title to your email for this post e.g. Falaba: CRADLE research officer application, Fatima Sanni

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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