Emory University Ethiopia is a registered non-profit humanitarian organization and operational in Ethiopia since 2010. The Healthy Mother and Healthy Baby (HMHB) project will be implemented by Emory University in Atlanta, USA in collaboration with the Emory Ethiopia team based in Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar. It will be implemented in health facilities located in Bahir Dar city and Bahir Dar Zuria woredas.

The HMHB project will examine the efficiency of the Healthy Mother Healthy Baby toolkit to improve diets and nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding women and their infants 0-9months of age in the health center in Bahir Dar city and Bahir Dar Zuria district.

The Research Assistant will enroll pregnant women from four government health centers in Bahir Dar Zuria woreda and Bahir Dar City. Pregnant women whose pregnancy is <20 weeks of gestation and visit the health facility for ANC will be included and followed through 9 months postpartum. Data will be collected at five timepoints over the course of follow up: 1) enrollment, 2) late third trimester, 3) 1 week postpartum, 4) 4 months postpartum and 5) 9 months postpartum

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Emory Regional Manager with support from the Regional Research and Evaluation Coordinator based in Bahirdar, Emory Country office Senior research and documentation advisor, the Research Assistant will be primarily responsible for the enrollment, data entry using a web based digital platform and conduct close follow up of the mothers starting from enrollment to 9 months after giving birth. The Research Assistant is expected to collect compile and submit project performance report to his/her supervisor. S/he will be based in the project woreda with frequent movement to the project health facilities and community. 

SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The research assistant will have the following responsibilities:

• Screen, enroll and randomize eligible women and meticulously document these processes following study protocols and using standardized tools, methods, and checklists.

• Collect survey, diet and anthropometric data following study protocols and using standardized tools.

• Ensure accurate and timely data entry and data quality checks following standardized procedures.

• If indicated, provide nutrition and dietary counseling as appropriate for participants’ life stage and group assignment.

• Ensure timely follow up of women for data collection and appropriate documentation of participant follow up per study protocols using standardized tools and checklists. 

• Complete progress reports and submit to team lead biweekly.

• Participate in initial team training (5-7 days), regular team meetings and refresher trainings as required.

• Always follow principles of ethical conduct of research, including strict adherence to foundational principles of informed consent, respect for persons, privacy and confidentiality, beneficence, and harm reduction.  

• Establish and maintain successful relationships with the facility and community collaborators. 

• Distribute job aids and materials to the health facilities, direct beneficiaries, and community.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND LEVEL OF TRAVEL REQUIRED

Terms of employment:   One and half year (18 months) with possible of extension 

Duty station: Bahir Dar city and Bahir Dar Zuria woreda Health facilities, Amhara region 

Number required:5-6(five to six)

Salary:  Based on organization salary scale

Job Requirements

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in nutrition, public health, anthropology, sociology, nursing, social work, or other related field.

• Minimum three years directly related work experience, particularly in implementing maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition interventions (both maternal and child nutrition).

• At least one year of survey data collection experience is a plus. 

• Experience in maternal and child nutrition, collecting dietary and anthropometric data is an advantage.

Additional Qualifications:

• Ability and initiative to adhere to the highest standards of work quality and timeliness with minimal oversight.

• Be able to appropriately engage with women and their families to maintain rapport and trust over time.  

• Have an attitude of humility and a collaborative spirit, working with team mates to address problems, identify solutions and support one another. 

• Possess superior flexibility and adaptability to respond to rapidly changing situations on the ground.

• Demonstrated experience in good communication with key stakeholders (community leaders, health system officials and local government) for effective implementation of the project.

• fluent in English, Amharic, and relevant local dialects. 

• must have good communication skill (both verbal and written) in English and Amharic languages. 

• Computer literate - MS Word, Spreadsheet (Excel), power point and Internet; and other necessary computer application -Redcap and other database software

• Strong commitment to succeed, enthusiastic, creative and result oriented.

• Respect the culture and norms of the project sites.

• Previous involvement in similar research projects

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send their application letter and CV along with supporting documents via the following email address: recruitment.euehr@yahoo.com or jmekonnen02@yahoo.com within five calendar days of the advertisement.

Regret: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.