Research Manager at Catholic Relief Services – Zambia Country Program

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identify is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as part of our staff and as partner’s people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need. Since 2000, CRS Zambia has been implementing a number of programmes to support vulnerable Zambians. Its recent programming areas include: nutrition, agriculture, food security, HIV/AIDS, WASH, financial inclusion, and early child development.

Background

FASTER Project’s objective is to catalyze a game-changing enabling environment and create operational guidance, tools, training, and practical evidence that will allow provinces, districts and sites with high unmet need to address key gaps in the child and adolescent HIV treatment cascade. FASTER Project is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to accelerate pediatric ART in four African countries (Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia). To accelerate efforts to end pediatric HIV in Zambia, CRS will address structural and policy barriers, innovate, and facilitate scale-up of what works. FASTER Project will work with the Ministry of Health (MOH), national technical working groups, and other pediatric implementers nationwide. CRS under FASTER will additionally conduct a research study entitled Assisted HIV Oral fluid based test Screening in Children: Estimation of Acceptability, Feasibility and Effectiveness Linked to Index Testing Services in Zambia.

Position Summary

Based in Lusaka, the Research Manager will work with the Research consultant to provide overall guidance on implementation of Oraquick study for the FASTER project, ensuring compliance to the Study protocol as well as the Country Office Policies and Procedures and industry best practices. S/he will oversee the management of the study working closely with site staff as may be deemed appropriate. S/he will work closely with program staff and the research consultant to ensure that the project/study has accurately monitored data management systems that promote efficient capturing and management of high-quality data related to project/study activities and outcomes and provide timely and relevant information for reporting to the Ministry of Health,  Donors and Ethics bodies.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversees the consultant’s execution of the OraQuick study ensuring efficient collection, documentation and reporting on project/study results that adhere to the approved study protocol and meet CRS and donor requirements
• Ensures compliant, quality data collection with the use of digital platforms
• Oversees the collection, management, aggregation, reporting of quality data and appropriate sharing of information and knowledge with key stakeholders throughout the life of the study
• In collaboration with all stakeholders, designs and deploys participatory processes to strengthen accountability and adherence to ethical standards during the study cycle
• Participate in periodical data quality audits at all levels of the data flow during the study
• Coordinate the timely analysis of qualitative and quantitative performance data
• Ensure deliverables are accurate, complete, and submitted to the donor in a timely manner
• Facilitate review of progress on an agreed basis, supporting problem solving processes and development of remedial actions ensuring any disparity between planned and actual outputs are addressed
• Work with internal and external teams in the design and implementation of the Oraquick study
• Meet with study staff frequently to jointly analyze and reflect on project/study monitoring data in order to produce action items with assigned responsibilities
• Conduct regular visits to study sites with the consultant to provide relevant, clear, high-quality, and timely onsite technical support
• Organize and facilitate meetings to review set targets and employ remedial measures in anticipation of any hint of protocol deviation
• Coordinate with CRS program staff and MEAL staff to produce human interest stories, articles, working papers, lessons learned, and other publications for internal and external circulation
• Perform any other function assigned to him/her by the Director

Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ relevant work experience
• Grade 12 certificate
• Degree in Social Sciences or Economics or other related fields
• Postgraduate certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation, Research Methodology (Masters degree is an added advantage)
• Strong English writing skills
• Experience working with web-based data collection platforms (e.g. Red Cap, Cs pro, CommCare, ODK, KoboToolBox, iFormBuilder)

Personal Skills

• Good relationship management skills with ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
• Strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking capacity and skills
• Good writing skills
• Strong data collection and research skills and ability to interpret and analyze data

Travel Required: 50%

Key Working Relationships

Supervisory: None

Internal: Program Manager, MEAL Officer, Head of Programs, Grants and Compliance Manager

External: Research Consultant, study staff, donor, Ministry of Health: DHOs, PHOs and facility supervisors.

Agency-wide Competencies: These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Trusting Relationships
• Professional Growth
• Partnership
• Accountability

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Note: By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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