MODAM Research Officer – Action Against Hunger Vacancy Announcement

Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and food security. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages operations in 7 countries: Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Action Against Hunger-USA has over $55 million in programs, and approximately 1,600 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

I. Position Summary 

Action Against Hunger has received a five-year contract from the Power of Nutrition (PON) to conduct operational research in Ethiopia on select innovations in the community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) that aim to improve the coverage and cost-effectiveness of treatment. The operational research component is led by Action Against Hunger USA alongside partners including UNICEF and the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, among others.

The operational research study, or “Modified Dosage for Acute Malnutrition” (MODAM) Trial, aims to address critical gaps in linking knowledge to effective action on acute malnutrition treatment, including how to scale proven innovative approaches to treatment and their implications for the broader policy-level environment. This randomized controlled trial will test a modified dosage of the therapeutic foods used to treat acute malnutrition at health posts (HPs) across each target woreda. As current and projected resources are insufficient to meet the total burden of wasting in Ethiopia, there is need to explore ways to increase the cost-effectiveness of treatment. The use of a modified dosage protocol may contribute to achieving such advances by reducing the cost of product per child treated and cured while maintaining comparable treatment outcomes. This project will also assess post-discharge relapse to acute malnutrition and test the effectiveness of training caregivers on the Family MUAC approach after a child has been discharged as recovered from OTP and TSFP on early identification and referral.

The MODAM Research Officer’s purpose, engagement and expected delivery are:

Purpose:

As a key member of the research team, the MODAM Research Officer will be responsible for ensuring high-quality data collection in the research target areas. This role will be based in Teltele, Borena Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

Engagement:

 Internally, this position will engage primarily with the MODAM Nutrition Officers, MODAM Research Supervisor, and the MODAM Research Manager, as well as Action Against Hunger’s nutrition and health staff. Externally, this position will engage with health extension workers (HEWs) at the target health posts and other health staff in Teltele Woreda.

Delivery:

The MODAM Research Officer will be responsible for supporting the delivery of high-quality research and data collection at health posts included in the research study.

II. Essential Job Duties

Lead implementation of research activities at health posts (55%)

• Attend all associated trainings for the study’s objectives and protocols; meets expected measurement quality standards during standardization test procedures
• Ensure smooth and efficient day-to-day operation of all study activities
• In collaboration with HEWs, HDA, and the MODAM Nutrition Officer, mobilize and educate the community and community leaders on the research objectives and activities
• Lead randomization of enrolled children into the study arms and document assignment
• Ensure rigorous data collection by correctly administering questionnaires
• Ensure timely tracing of study participants who fail to turn up to their appointments
• Ensure enrollment of children who are discharged as recovered from the MODAM trial into the post-recovery trial
• Lead randomization into post-recovery study arms, and document assignment
• Support and ensure smooth referrals to CMAM program for post-recovery research participants who have become malnourished during the course of the study
• Maintain good communication between each health post and the MODAM Research Supervisor and MODAM Research Manager
• Support and assist with MoH/EPHI/other monitoring site visits
• Complete all required daily and weekly reports and return them to the base in a timely manner
• Proactively raise challenges and issues occurring with the study at the health post with the MODAM Research Supervisor
• Attend and participate in regular meetings with the research team to share information and learnings

Ensure and maintain ethical and responsible conduct of the MODAM trial (15%)

• Strictly comply with the ethical requirements of the research study and the protocol
• Ensure adherence to the trial enrolment criteria
• Correctly conduct research participants’ registration and orientation to the research activities
• Ensure that each caregiver gives informed consent and there is complete understanding of the study and the incentives associated with the activities
• Follow confidentiality and security procedures to ensure participants’ privacy is protected
• Manage data collected from health posts for MODAM Trial (15%)
• Collect MODAM data from source documents including health post registers and treatment cards
• Perform daily data quality checks and undertake corrective measures
• Keep track of number of children enrolled and their progression through the study
• Ensure all completed questionnaires and other data collection tools are brought to the Teltele office for data entry in a timely manner, and brought back to the correct HP at the next OTP/TSFP day 

Manage research supplies at health posts (15%)

• Ensure availability, functionality, and proper calibration of anthropometric equipment (e.g., weighing scales and height boards) at the start of each day
• Manage an inventory of questionnaires, data collection supplies, appointment cards, and incentives for caregivers, and liaise with the MODAM Research Supervisor to proactively replenish supplies
• Support the health post’s HEW and the MODAM Nutrition Officer to monitor the stock of nutrition supplies, including RUTF, RUSF, and other CMAM program related materials

III. Supervisory Responsibilities

• No supervisory responsibilities.

IV. Fiscal Responsibility

• No fiscal responsibilities.

V. Physical Demands

• To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations, including the necessity to ride in a vehicle over difficult terrain for an extended period of time, walk long distances.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

VI. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations.

VII.   Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of people of all genders equal access to information
• Provide a work environment where people of all genders must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff
• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status
• Value and respect all cultures

VIII. Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Required diploma or equivalent in health-science related field of study, including Public Health, Nutrition, Nursing, Midwifery and minimum three (3) years’ experience in CMAM programming
• Experience in both qualitative and quantitative data collection, including administering informed consent forms and completing surveys on behalf of low-literate individuals
• Experience with or knowledge of CMAM/IMAM protocols, including OTP and TSFP admission and discharge criteria, follow-up procedures, and reporting tools
• Practical experience of working in INGOs is preferable                              IX. Required Skills
• Candidates must be from or living in Teltele Woreda, Borena Zone, as they will be acquainted with the area and can communicate in the local language
• Fluency in written and spoken Oromifa,  Amharic and English desirable
• Training and experience in taking accurate anthropometric measurements, including MUAC, weight, height and edema
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to take initiative and prioritize multiple tasks with minimum supervision
• Good judgement and problem-solving skills, strong communication skills and documentation habits
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Genuine interest in and commitment to the mission and principles of Action Against Hunger