Data Collector Supervisors – Ethiopian Public Health Institute Vacancy Announcement

Job Description:

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) strives to address nutrition and health-related problems by conducting population-based research and contributing to the effective implementation of the Food and Nutrition Policy and Strategy in Ethiopia. To this end, the Food Science and Nutrition Research Directorate of EPHI in collaboration with the University of California Davis and Nutrition International (NI), a Canadian non-governmental organization, is planning to conduct research on the development and assessment of double-fortified salt with iodine and folic acid to prevent neural tube defects in Ethiopia

Spina bifida and related neural tube defects (NTDs) are caused by abnormalities in the formation of the brain and spinal cord during early embryonic development and result in a high prevalence of fetal loss, infant and young child mortality, severe physical disabilities among survivors, and incalculable suffering of affected individuals and their families. Research conducted in the 1980s-90s demonstrated that NTDs are associated with poor maternal folate status and can be largely prevented by providing additional folate in the form of folic acid supplements or folic acid-fortified foods during the peri-conceptional period.

The prevalence of NTDs is high in Ethiopia, and the national government has issued a series of recommendations to address this problem, including folic acid fortification of staple foods and condiments. Because of the success of salt iodization in Ethiopia, where more than 90% of households consume iodized salt, salt is an attractive vehicle to consider for folic acid fortification. However, no countries currently deploy folic acid fortification of salt as a public health program, and the Ethiopian Government has requested rigorous evaluation of this strategy before initiating a national program to fortify salt with folic acid.

In response to this challenge, we plan to implement a community-based research project in rural Ethiopia, to assess the acceptability and nutritional impact of double-fortified salt containing both iodine and folic acid (DFS-IoFA). During the first phase of the project, we will measure dietary folate consumption and discretionary salt intakes by women in the study communities to determine the appropriate level of folic acid fortification of salt. We will also assess the women’s folate, vitamin B12 and iodine status using blood and urine to assess the suitability of the study communities.

Responsibilities:

• The laboratory technician must be familiar with the specimen collection flow chart
• The laboratory technician must review all laboratory specimen collection protocols
• The laboratory technician must ensure biological specimen are collected using standard procedures and well labelled
• The laboratory technician must be comfortable at analysing biological samples on the field
• The laboratory technician must ensure that all biological samples are processed according to study protocol.
• The laboratory technician must be able to enter data on biological samples collected, analysed or processed on the field into the study template for biological samples
• The laboratory technician must cross check and approval all biological sample data at the end of each working day
• The laboratory technician must be able to work collaboratively with other members of the project team.
• The laboratory technician should be able to take on additional responsibilities as assigned by the project supervisor, postdoc or manager.

Workplace: Oromia region, Gimbichu woreda

Duration: 60 days

Required number: Two (2)

Report to:  Food Science and Nutrition Research Directorate

Duty station/location:The successful candidate will be based in study location, Oromia, Gibmichu Woreda

Job Requirements

• MSc in Applied Human Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition,  Nutritional Sciences, Public Health or Health related fields from a recognized academic institution with minimum of two years’ experience. Specialized training in research methods (including dietary assessment and biochemical assessment of nutritional status) or related is an advantage.

Language:

• Speaking and reading skills in Afaan Oromo, English and Amharic is mandatory.