Research Assistant

University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Kigali, Rwanda

Position Title: Research Assistant

Reports to: Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Group/Department: The Center for Equity in Global Surgery, University of Global Health Equity (UGHE)

Location: Kigali, with frequent travel to the data collection and research sites Rwanda, with occasional travel to Musanze, Rwanda

Organizational Profile

The University of Global Health Equity (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 health care to some of the world’s most marginalized communities.

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 University of Global Health Equity seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team.

Position Overview

The Research Assistant will work on a Research Program entitles “Rwanda912: Use of an innovative electronic communications platform to improve pre-hospital transport of injured people in Rwanda” - funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), UK. This project will be implemented in close collaboration between the Rwanda Biomedical Center/Service d'aide Médicale Urgente (SAMU), University of Birmingham, University of Rwanda, Rwanda Build, a local software development company, and health facilities in Rwanda. The ideal candidate for this position is highly self-motivated and passionate about research, with superior attention to detail and organizational skills. S/he will work across multiple departments at UGHE and health facility within Rwanda and must be exceedingly well organized, diplomatic, flexible, resourceful, and proactive.

Key Responsibilities

• Conducting qualitative and/or quantitative data collection at designated data collection sites and as directed by the project PIs, including data entry and data quality assurance.
• Participate in requirement gathering for the software development and testing of prototypes.
• Develop case scenarios and a persona for training the ambulance and dispatch team
• Facilitate training aimed at teaching the different interfaces for dispatch and ambulance crews and conducting surveys on user acceptance testing.
• Support and contribute to the development of patient and health facility’s data collection tools, ensure accurate data collection and data entry processes,
• Conduct qualitative data collection including in depth interviews, focus group discussions, translation, transcription, desk reviews and contribute to various stakeholder’s workshop
• Conduct user acceptance testing and report the finding in a report ready to be shared.
• To become full acquainted and stay up to date with developments in access to quality health care for injured and health care system in Rwanda and elsewhere in the region
• Supporting community engagement activities and outreach to non-academic audiences
• To participate in patient and stakeholder’s engagement and involvement activities and other events of the Center for Equity in Global Surgery (CEGS) at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), as appropriate.
• Work closely with the PIs and Program manager to ensure teams’ ability to meet contractual requirements, identify gaps, and create plans to address them, and provide ongoing support to teams.
• Writing project deliverables, such as reports
• Preparing PowerPoint slides, report and poster presentations as required
• Conduct literature searches and reviews and support with ethics review submissions.
• Support an interdisciplinary research team
• Any other tasks as designated by the supervisor

Qualifications

• MBBS/MD or BSc in a health-related field, MSc in Public Health or Global Health, or MSc in other health-related programs
• Demonstrated qualitative and quantitative research experience – minimum of 1 year
• Demonstrable training in research methods, data collection, and data analysis
• Practical knowledge and experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection from patients and the community
• Familiarity with qualitative and/or quantitative data collection and data quality assurance
• In depth knowledge on the Rwandan health systems with particular emphasis on injuries and surgical care
• Fluency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection tools
• Ability to manage and prioritize project related tasks with high attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and manage competing priorities
• Exemplary interpersonal skills: ability to effectively collaborate with culturally diverse staff across departments and countries
• Proven ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively as part of a research team, and to meet research deadlines.
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Evidence of good organizational skills, including effective project management; experience with community engagement preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda required

How to Apply

Applicants should provide: (1) curriculum vitae, (2) Degree, (3) A cover letter describing your interest in UGHE and relevant experience. Please upload these under the ‘Additional Files’ tab on the application page  to Research Assistant.

University of Global Health Equity 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.

Organizational Profile

UGHE is a new kind of university focused on training the next generation of global leaders in health care delivery. The university launched in Rwanda in September 2015. 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 University of Global Health Equity seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team.

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 applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.