Research Assistant at University of Global Health Equity (UGHE)

Research Assistant

Title: Research Assistant

Report to: Nutrition and Early Childhood Development Coordinator (NECDC),

Location: Kigali, Rwanda; and as required with field trips to Butaro,

Timeframe: Full-time for 2 years.

Role Purpose: UGHE is seeking a Research Assistant to contribute to a range of research projects aimed to lead evidence generation to help address knowledge gaps in the INECD program’s Theory of Change (ToC) and enhance evidence of what works in Rwanda.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate and support all research related activities to the INECD grant 
• Serve as the contact person for INECD field work
• Assist in generating progress and financial reports and content for internal and external audiences derived from the INECD programmatic data
• Supervise data collector in the execution of projects
• Provide technical guidance to the data collectors to ensure the research are conducted in high quality
• Work on technical research projects, assisting the design of the instruments and research designs,
• conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis, and keeping the Principal Investigator (PI) and Research team updated and progress
• provide training and orientation to data collectors

• collect data, manage, monitor, clean, and ensure the quality of data obtained
• Serve as the liaison person between the field, data collectors, INECD manager and PI
• Actively participate in organizing and updating the research related meeting
• Actively participate in both the roundtable seminar and the national workshop.
• Actively participate in the drafting of progress reports, the (final) findings report
• Manuscript writing
• Actively contribute to the writing of scientific papers following the analysis of data and validation of findings.
• Manage INECD project timeline to ensure all activities are efficiently executed
• Lead or assist in teaching research-related topics to UGHE academic programs
• Develop data collection tools
• Organize necessary logistics related to the INECD projects.
• And other research duties and activities, as assigned by the supervisor or INECD manager

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE/SKILLS

• Master’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Global Health, Data science, or any degree related to health science, and 1 year of relevant professional experience,
• Have a strong interest in research and community-based health interventions,
• Outgoing and can easily and professionally interact with NGOs actors and academic staff,
• Apt in reporting professionally can quickly grasp research concepts, and structure your technical approach to a problem,

• Excellent interpersonal skills are self-motivated and can flourish in a fast-paced environment, where timelines can often be unpredictable,
• Have good written and oral communication skills (in English and Kinyarwanda) and can effectively communicate internally and externally,
• Proficient in the analysis of data using SPSS, or similar statistical software,
• Focused on developing your professional skills and thriving in an innovative and collaborative organization,
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with a strong ability to prioritize,
• Exemplary interpersonal skills and ability to effectively liaise with university leadership and study participants.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Proficient computer skills with fluency in Microsoft Office Suite programs including Excel, Google Suite products, and the ability to learn new computer programs quickly,
• Experience in communicating research findings,
• Background in research projects,
• Demonstrated work experience in an administrative, handling pressure in a fast-paced environment,
• Experience supporting the project team in producing deliverables and manage timeline,
• Experience in event planning or proven skills to organize and execute logistics,
• Experience in report writing
• Ability to learn and utilize various online data collection tools

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Ability to make decisions based on data findings,
• Exemplary interpersonal skills,
• Ability to effectively collaborate with culturally diverse staff across departments and countries,
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills,
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and analytical skills,
• Good judgment, and creative problem-solving,
• Possess diplomatic instincts, ability to gracefully and humbly work within challenging professional contexts requiring tact and judgment.

To Apply 

Applicants should provide: (1) a resume, (2) a cover letter, (3) names and contact information of three professional references who can attest to work experience, and (4) copies of all degrees earned. Please upload your cover letter and copies of degrees as a single PDF file under "Additional Files" on the application page before September 21, 2024. 

Organization profile

The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) is on a mission to radically change the way health care is delivered around the world. UGHE is a new university based in Rwanda that is growing the next generation of global health professionals—doctors, nurses, researchers, and public health and policy experts—into leaders and change makers who strive to deliver more equitable, quality health services for all. The University launched in Rwanda in September 2015 with the Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MGHD). Through an academic experience uniquely rooted in the values of equity, students are empowered to both ease suffering at the bedside and drive transformational, systemic changes to the health system. UGHE is an initiative of Partners In Health (PIH), an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. In over nearly three decades of operating alongside public sectors in countries around the world, PIH has developed a model to deliver high quality healthcare to some of the world’s most marginalized communities. Nowhere has this impact been more profound than in Rwanda, where Inshuti Mu Buzima—PIH’s sister organization—and our government partners have driven innovation for a decade. 

Members of the UGHE community are tenacious and resolute in our drive to attain social justice, make common cause with those in need, listen to and learn from others, and operate with honesty and humility as we uphold academic integrity and intellectual curiosity. The UGHE team seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team. Partners In Health is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Commitment to Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment:

At UGHE, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including community members – as well as our students, contractors, staff and visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and any form of systemic abuse, whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with UGHE’s policy.

UGHE will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of fraud, harassment, sexual harassment and any form of systemic abuse or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.