The Research Specialist is responsible for operational research coordination for the SSCS program in Uganda. The Research Specialist will lead SSCS operational research activities, including developing sound methodologies, directing research implementation, conducting analysis, and leading research write-ups. The Research Specialist will also guide SSCS’s development of articles and abstracts. This position’s responsibilities are highly cross-functional and will support all result areas.

Technical Support (Research) – 60%

• Support the definition of the SSCS research agenda and coordinate all SSCS research efforts, including planning, data quality and assisting with implementation in collaboration with the SSCS Technical Team and partners.
• Lead SSCS operational research activities, including developing sound methodologies, directing research implementation, conducting analysis, and leading research write-ups.
• Support the documentation of programmatic achievements of field activities, cross-cutting implementation issues/lessons learned
• Conduct quantitative analyses of facility data & service statistics to help understand performance/results of interventions (esp. for women, youth, & other vulnerable groups) & provide evidence for corrective actions
• Support the piloting of new initiatives, approaches and innovations in a range of key project areas.

Monitoring and Evaluation 25%

• Support the development and implementation of the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan and subsequent updates as necessary and ensure timely and accurate reporting to the project leadership and USAID
• Support the growth of a data-use culture within the supply chain.
• Support Technical Advisors and other project staff in the adequate documentation and dissemination of program results and lessons learned including the development and submission of abstracts and articles to scientific journals and conferences.
• Coordinate with MSH’s Evidence, Performance and Impact (EPI) unit MEL Liaison at home office for specific activities (such as MSH’s DHIS2 Instance, DREAM@MSH).

Capacity Building 5%

• Guide SSCS’s development of articles and abstracts.

Coordination 10%

• Coordinate with the M&E team to support the establishment of mechanisms for collecting relevant data to their established indicators. Also participate in program review activities and provide adequate recommendations.

Education

Required

Graduate degree in a health-related or an international development field (Population Studies, Demography, Development Studies, Social Sciences etc) with specialized training and/or experience is statistics, data analytics and research methodology.

Preferred

Physician, pharmacist or public health qualification preferred.

Required

Experience

• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in global health research, evaluation and in international development, with a pharmaceutical/ medical supply chain or health systems strengthening focus.
• Experience analysing the impact of technical support on health programs’ performance required.

Preferred

• 7 years relevant experience in the field of global health or health system strengthening is desired.
• Experience with USAID projects is desirable, either in project management, project M&E, or external evaluation, either as USAID staff or as a USAID contractor, preferably in global health.
• Experience with public health research and programs in developing country contexts supported by USAID and or other bilateral agencies such as CDC and international agencies such as the Global Fund, UNITAID, WHO and World Bank preferred.

Knowledge And Skills

• Strong computer skills; Excel, MS Word, MS Project, PowerPoint.
• Advanced expertise with research methodologies, business intelligence and data visualization tools, statistical analysis such as data governance, quality, relational databases, and SQL
• Demonstrated competence to assess priorities, manage and support a variety of activities in a time-sensitive environment and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
• Fluent in English and proficient in English writing is required

Competencies

• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Good judgment for decision making.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability in consensus building and constructively leading a team.

Physical Demand

Ability to travel domestically up to 20% of time as required to support the progress of program activities.

Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Uganda Strengthening Supply Chain Systems (SSCS) Program is a five year project under MSH ending in June 2025. Its main focus is to support self-sustaining, responsive, uninterrupted, accountable delivery of quality-assured medicines and supplies to public and NGO health facilities. It will improve the performance of key actors all along the supply chain; advance transparent governance and effective, data-informed policies and regulations; and strengthen local capacities to accelerate Uganda’s progress on its Journey to Self-Reliance. SSCS will provide technical assistance to all USG Implementing Partners (USAID, CDC, and DOD) operating at the subnational level and deliver other assistance to improve the capacity of district health offices, health facilities, and medical stores. This project will strengthen the health system to more effectively combat infectious and non-communicable diseases and improve health services and outcomes for all of Uganda’s families and communities.

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Closing Date : 12 July, 2020