Implementation Support and Learning Research Assistant (ISL-RA) – School of Public Health-AAU- Center for Implementation Sciences (CIS) Vacancy Announcement

Job Description

The Center for Implementation Sciences (CIS) in Health at the School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University seeks to accelerate translation of effective policies and evidence-based practices into public health and development benefits through influencing policies, strategies, programs and practices at different levels of the health system. The CIS shall work, through its multidisciplinary teams and in close collaboration with relevant governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, to develop, implement, and evaluate strategies, methods, approaches, and models to promote the adoption, implementation, sustainment, and scale-up of evidence-based policies, practices, and programs in the fields of public health.

The center is looking for a qualified and enthusiastic Implementation Support and Learning Research Assistant (ISL-RA) with relevant qualifications and experience for the Specialized Lactation Support (SLS) for and Antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) Implementation Research projects which are being implemented in partnership with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and World Health Organization (WHO).

 Job Summary  

• The Implementation Support and Learning Research Assistant (ISL-RA), under the guidance of the Implementation Support and Program Learning Coordinators, Principal Investigators and Project Managers will:
• Work closely with the Woreda Health Office, health facilities and healthcare providers to support the implementation of the interventions included in the model at the health facilities and community levels
• Assist the training of health facility leadership, facility senior physicians, general practitioners, nurses, midwives, health extension workers and the health development army on the project objectives and expectations with the research team
• Support healthcare providers in early identification of pregnant woman, provision of early ANC and ultrasound scan services, promotion of facility delivery, identification and referral of women who are at high risk of preterm birth and eligible for ACS use; provision of safe ACS, facilitate safe referral of pregnant women and newborns.
• Support the identification of preterm/LBW births, provision of quality Small and Sick Newborn Care and Specialized Lactation Support to preterm/LBW infants
• Identify effective and ineffective strategies to provide early ANC, early ultrasound scan, ACS use, improve referral, provision of Small and Sick New Born Care and Specialized Lactation Support to preterm/LBW infants
• Provide regular mentorship to the Study Site Assistants (SSA) on early identification of pregnant woman, provision of early ANC and ultrasound scan services, promotion of facility delivery, identification and referral of women who are at high risk of preterm birth and eligible for ACS use; and safe referral of pregnant women and newborns.
• Arrange regular supportive supervision and mentorship of implementation sites and service providers at health facility and community levels
• Support the QI teams in the hospitals and health centers to have regular meetings and discuss early ANC and ultrasound scan, ACS use, Small and Sick New born Care, and Specialized Lactation Support as a regular agenda.
• Conduct qualitative interviews with healthcare providers, managers, mothers, families, and community members, transcribe and submit high quality program learning data.
• Using structured checklist conduct observation of health facilities, care provision by and interaction among providers, mothers, and family members.
• Use key findings of the interviews to improve quality of early ANC and ultrasound scan, ACS use, Small and Sick New born Care, and Specialized Lactation Support service provision
• Contribute to the development of educational and inspiration (success) stories of mothers, family members, and healthcare providers
• Synthesize program learning data and communicate to heath managers for decision making
• Attend regular meetings with the research team
• Distribute project equipment and supplies, ensure their proper installation, and use (equipment and supplies, devices, guideline, protocols, registers, job-aids etc.) by the study sites
• Contribute to the development of periodic plan, reports and papers
• Execute other tasks given by the implementation coordinator and study managers
•  The Implementation Support and Learning Research Assistants (ISL-RA) will be based in Batu and Meki town with frequent travel to the study facilities and communities in Admi Tulu Judo Kombolcha Woreda and Dugda Woreda.

Vacancy: Implementation Support and Learning Research Assistant (ISL-RA)

Date of Announcement: June 2023

Career Level: Mid-Level (2-3 years’ experience)

Duration of work: 1 year with possible extension

Tentative Start Date: July 2023

Number of posts: 2 (1 for Meki site and 1 for Batu site)

Station: Batu and Meki

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor University degree in health is required with at least two years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of the Ethiopian health system, experience working in or with Woreda Health Offices Hospitals, Health centers and communities.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work with the Woreda Health Offices, collaborators, stakeholders, and team members.
• Written and verbal fluency in Afan Oromo and English languages and knowledge of spoken and written Amharic is required. 

 Additional Qualifications:

• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills is desired.
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple project activities, balance conflicting priorities, and handle confidential information appropriately.
• Must exhibit tact and diplomacy in inter-cultural settings.