Research Assistant ( Local Consultancy )

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS

International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.

Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.

BACKGROUND TO THE ASSIGNMENT:

There is limited data on direct causes of maternal mortality in Somalia, but a recent study in Bossaso using verbal autopsy found post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) to be the leading cause of maternal death. Since 2019, IMC has led an initiative which distributes Misoprostol to prevent PPH in situations of home births in Jowhar District, Somalia. Three 200-μg tablets of Misoprostol are provided to expectant mothers in their third trimester during their antenatal care visit to be taken orally immediately after home delivery. Preliminary findings show that over 3000 mothers received the tablets over the last 3 years (2019 to 2022), with only 8% returning the tablets and delivering at a health facility. Of those who took the tablets at home, there was no reported incidence of postpartum bleeding at home. Uptake and community acceptance was found to be high. IMC Somalia, with QARI support, is now undertaking retrospective mixed methods research to document the effects of this activity on maternal health in Jowhar district.

JOB PURPOSE:

The overall objective of the research is to describe the key outcomes and effectiveness of the distribution of misoprostol program for prevention of excessive bleeding after birth.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Taking part in the training on the tools and the methodology used for the study to train the enumerators and supervise them. Supervise the data collection process and ensure its quality by reviewing the data collected daily. Provide debrief to the enumerators on areas that require improvements. Offer advice for troubleshooting during the training and data collection period. Support quantitative data cleaning/analysis including review of raw data set for any red flags and review of analysis results. Support the lead consultant on the ground and provide information/clarification as/when requested.

DELIVERABLES DESCRIPTION:

Training on the tools and methodology

Supervise data collectors to pre-test the tools and provide feedback to study team. Training of the enumerators on the tools and the methodology used in the study.

Supervise and provide debrief to the enumerators on daily basis to ensure the quality of the data collected.

Support with the data cleaning/analysis and providing of information/clarification as/when requested.

Supervise enumerators during transcription of qualitative data. Submission of the consultancy report.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT DELIVERABLES

The deliverables will be remotely carried out by the Consultant Research Advisor, in collaboration with IMC Somalia colleagues as well as the study team at HQ

IMC is a humanitarian organization involved in emergency programmes. All IMC staff are to be flexible and willing to assist in IMC operations as and when required.

IMC Somalia is inviting qualified candidates who meet the above requirements to send their cover letter and CV to the following email addresses: [email protected] indicating the name of the job as Research Assistant (Local Consultancy) in Somalia in the email subject clearly.

Deadline for applications is 28 March 2024 **Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis**

Code of Conduct:

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, trafficking in Persons, Child Safeguarding and any suggested violation to IMC Code of Conduct, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any suggested activities then you have an obligation to report.

Compliance & Ethics:

Promotes and encourages a culture of compliance and ethics throughout International Medical Corps. As applicable to the position, maintains a clear understanding of International Medical Corps’ and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards. Conducts work with the highest level of integrity. Communicates these values to staff and to partners and requires them to adhere to these values

Equal Opportunities:

International Medical Corps is a ‘first-responder’ both to natural and men-made disasters and has a mandate of working in remote locations. The organization has a comprehensive security management policy and plan in place and committed to do everything possible within its remit to ensure safety and security. Notwithstanding, the mandate and programming choices of International Medical Corps require staff with high degree of resilience, extremely decisive quality and ability to move fast. International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a veteran.

International Medical Corps never asks job applicants for a fee, payment, or other monetary transaction. If you are asked for money in connection with this recruitment, please notify International Medical Corps at [email protected].Please do not submit your CV or application to this email address as it will not be considered for review.