Research Associate-Infant Feeding Project

Project and Position Description

The Infant Feeding Project at CERP primarily aims to conduct a Randomized Controlled Trial to evaluate an intervention involving a mHealth tool and associated training targeting community-based Lady Health Workers (LHWs) to increase WHO-recommended breastfeeding practices in rural Pakistan. In its current phase, the project involves the designing, development and testing of the said intervention which provides decision-making support and educational tools to LHWs on breastfeeding in order to ultimately improve infant and child health outcomes. The project’s scope may also include additional studies related to LHWs and maternal and child health care in the future.

The Principal Investigators (PIs) on the project are Dr. Erica Field (Duke University), Dr. Katherine Vyborny (World Bank), Dr. Muhammad Yasir Khan (University of Pittsburgh), Dr. Nicola Singletary (North Carolina State University), Dr. Laila Ladak (Aga Khan University), Ms. Zohra Kurji (Aga Khan University), Ms. Zahra Shaheen (formerly Aga Khan University). The project involves working closely with Principal Investigators and partner organizations, including those in the provincial health departments, to design and implement the project.

CERP is recruiting a Research Associate based at the CERP office in Lahore (including possible travel to rural areas around Lahore for fieldwork). CERP’s project teams are small, and the amount of work we accomplish is significant. The Research Associate will be reporting to the Program Manager and the PIs.

Job description and responsibilities

The Research Associate will work with the researchers and the field team in designing data collection tools, managing datasets, conducting fieldwork for research purposes and data analysis.

1. Manage and oversee field activities through (i) recruitment, training and careful supervision and monitoring of the field team and (ii) reporting and documentation for the PIs
2. Lead the development of data collection and entry tools, including survey coding, spot-checking and managing data storage/backup
3. Clean datasets and perform data analysis using econometric and statistical techniques and tools with PIs
4. Coordinate with the team tasked with developing the mHealth software application and other external partners to ensure timely and satisfactory development, testing, and rollout of the application
5. Monitor compliance of RCT conditions for different interventions
6. Prepare progress reports and other deliverables for the PIs and other stakeholders as needed

Qualifications and Skills

• Background in Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, or a related discipline
• Preferably 3-4 years of relevant experience in research/program design and/or evaluation, including the design and execution of surveys, focus groups, and interviews
• Demonstrated knowledge of STATA for data cleaning and analysis. Experience of data management of large datasets as well as data collection, quality checks of data, and presentation of project findings
• Familiarity with ODK/SurveyCTO is preferred
• Ability to manage fieldwork related to the project in rural areas, including field visits
• Ability to work closely in a small team and take direction. Experience of leading teams is preferred
• Demonstrated ability to manage various tasks effectively and coordinate between project members and multiple stakeholders
• Excellent organizational skills, detail-oriented, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Willing to take on added responsibility as the project progresses
• Fluent in English and Urdu