Senior Research Officer Healthy Learners

ABOUT US

Healthy Learners is an award-winning non-profit organization committed to improving the health of children in Zambia and beyond. We partner directly with the government and local communities in Zambia so that schoolchildren can stay healthy, learn effectively, and have a brighter future. School-aged children in low-resource settings suffer from a high burden of disease and lack access to even basic healthcare, which causes otherwise preventable and curable illnesses to frequently result in life-long health challenges or disability. In the short term, these illnesses contribute to school absenteeism, poor academic performance, and high drop-out rates. In the long term, they undermine physical, cognitive, and emotional development and hinder economic prosperity.

Healthy Learners is working with the Zambian Government to bridge this gap through our unique model of school-based community health. By training teachers in community health and leveraging innovative diagnostic and data analytic technology, we are able to make schools entry points into the public healthcare system. As a result, children now receive medical attention in substantially greater numbers, improving health outcomes and reducing absenteeism. We currently serve over 800,000 students across eight provinces, and we are working with the Zambian government to scale nationally by 2025.

ABOUT YOU

You exemplify the qualities of being Humble, Hungry, and Smart in your leadership.

• Humble (Continuous Learning & Inclusion): Your humility shines as you actively seek, encourage, and facilitate feedback sharing, fostering an environment of continuous learning. You adapt and grow continuously, cultivating a culture of inclusion and belonging.
• Hungry (Efficiency, Excellence, and Innovation): Your relentless drive for efficiency and excellence is evident in your approach to both everyday tasks and complex challenges. When obstacles arise, you don’t merely seek answers; you develop solutions and establish structures to proactively address future obstacles. Your hunger for innovation cuts across the organization, where you eagerly explore new and best practices, ensuring our people operations remain modern and highly effective.
• Smart (Emotional Intelligence & Psychological Safety): Your exceptional emotional intelligence is your superpower, allowing you to create psychological safety within the organization. Through your ability to build trust, encourage risk-taking, and nurture courageous conversations, you promote an environment where individuals can thrive and collaborate effectively.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Research Officer to support the implementation and management of research studies, particularly overseeing fieldwork operations and managing enumerators. The Research Officer will be responsible for ensuring high-quality data collection, field team coordination, and timely reporting. This role is critical in ensuring that data collected in the field is reliable and aligns with research protocols. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, experience in fieldwork, and the ability to manage large teams effectively.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Fieldwork Management:

• Plan and oversee the execution of field research activities, ensuring adherence to study protocols.
• Coordinate logistics for fieldwork, including site selection, community engagement, and scheduling of enumerators.
• Ensure that all data collection processes comply with ethical standards and guidelines.

Enumerator Management:

• Recruit, train, and supervise enumerators and field teams, ensuring they understand and follow data collection procedures.
• Monitor the performance of enumerators, providing on-site support and troubleshooting issues that arise during data collection.
• Conduct quality control checks to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the data collected.

Data Collection and Monitoring:

• Assist in the development and testing of data collection tools (e.g., surveys, interview guides, mobile data collection platforms).
• Monitor field data collection progress and ensure that all data is uploaded, cleaned, and submitted on time.
• Ensure that the data collection tools are functioning properly and report any technical issues.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare detailed field reports, including challenges encountered, field team performance, and data collection progress.
• Provide regular updates to the Research Manager on fieldwork status and flag any issues that may affect project timelines.
• Maintain accurate records of all field activities, including enumerator attendance, equipment used, and any incidents during fieldwork.

Stakeholder and Community Engagement:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for local stakeholders during fieldwork, ensuring community buy-in and cooperation.
• Work with the Research Manager and external partners to resolve any challenges encountered in the field.

REQUIREMENTS AND COMPETENCES

Fieldwork Expertise:

• Experience in coordinating large-scale field research projects, including managing logistics and engaging with communities.
• Knowledge of survey methodologies and qualitative data collection techniques (e.g., interviews, focus group discussions).

Team Leadership:

• Proven experience in managing and motivating field teams, including enumerators, data collectors, and supervisors.
• Ability to train enumerators on data collection protocols and tools, ensuring they understand the importance of accuracy and quality.

Data Quality Assurance:

• Strong attention to detail to ensure high-quality data collection and the ability to identify and resolve inconsistencies.
• Familiarity with digital data collection platforms and tools such as ODK or SurveyCTO.

Communication Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills for reporting on fieldwork activities and preparing reports for the Research Manager.
• Ability to engage effectively with local stakeholders, community leaders, and field teams.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Health, or a related field.
• 3 – 5 years of experience in field research, with a strong focus on managing field operations and enumerators.
• Experience with data collection tools such as ODK, SurveyCTO, or similar platforms.
• Proven ability to manage and coordinate large teams in the field.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in conducting fieldwork in diverse and rural settings.
• Understanding of research ethics and experience with research involving human subjects.

Deadline: 13th November 2024

Healthy Learners is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.