Research Officer Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS)

With funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), URCS will partner with Malaria Consortium, Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA), Erasmus University, and the Netherlands Red Cross – 510 to implement a 4-year Research Project “FORECAST – Forecasting Outbreak Risks from Extreme Climate with Active Surveillance Technology” that aims at improving early warning and control of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks associated by extreme weather in Uganda. The two major outputs of the study include: (a) an epidemic risk mapping system based on an impact-based forecast (IBF) platform; and (b) an improved outbreak preparedness and response plan with guidance on specific actions based on various risk scenarios produced by the IBF platform.
The main purpose of this position is, in collaboration with the consortium members, collection, review and analysis of data on malaria and extreme weather events; support the development of risk mapping systems and development of an outbreak preparedness and response plan.

The Research Officer will report directly to a designated Project Supervisor with a secondary reporting line to the Manager Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
KEY RESULT AREAS PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
Planning and implementation of project activities
• Develop quarterly work plans and budgets, implement and document project activities in liaison with respective supervisor/s.
• Develop concept note to request funds for activity implementation and ensure timely accountability as per the URCS approved finance policy.

Produce activity and other periodic reports as per agreed timelines.

Conduct Project (FORECAST)
Research and other URCS intervention themes research
• Work as a member of a team to design and improve processes across URCS research portfolio.
• Support the Project Supervisor to scope, develop and deliver research programmes, including developing timelines; planning and monitoring progress and budgets; coordinating inputs from across the team and the wider organization; and identifying and highlighting risks and potential mitigations.
• Participate in desk-based reviews of past weather events in different parts of Uganda while doing a quality check on the data.
• Participate in analysis of retrospective data to assess associations between malaria and extreme weather events
• Participate in analysis of retrospective data to assess associations between malaria and extreme weather events
• Collect prospective malaria incidence data from selected health facilities or surveillance sites for use in outbreak risk mapping
• Engage communities in research activities to ensure their needs are addressed, their views are incorporated and the outputs are adopted and used
• support development of an outbreak preparedness and response plan

Meetings and workshops
• Attend relevant project meetings and where necessary prepare and make presentations on the project as may be required.
• Attend other relevant events, such as seminars, workshops etc at local and national level as may be required.

Documentation
• Compile relevant research reports and related documentation.
• Support the team in ensuring compliance with General Data Protection Regulations and research ethical guidelines

Dissemination of URCS malaria and other intervention research work
• Draft presentations summarizing policy issues and original URCS research.
• In liaison with relevant staff, write publications for the URCS website, including fact sheets, issue briefs, data briefs, infographics, and reports, and draft components of abstracts and manuscripts for publications.
• Work with the communications team to help build an external-facing presence for URCS research work both for emergency response and development aspects.

Performance Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting (PMER)
• Collect, manage and effectively process projects’ data
• Prepare and submit high quality reports
• Support PMER related requirements for projects guided by established framework and tools

Integration of Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy

Understand and comply with all aspects of URCS PSEA Policy.
Ensure that all stakeholders involved with URCS research work understand and comply with PSEA policy
• Create an organizational culture and foster a working environment which is free from and prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and supports the implementation of this policy.
• Take immediate and appropriate action of reporting upon receipt of any report or complaint about SEA allegations, concerns or suspicions or retaliation related to SEA, as stated in the present policy
• Report SEA incidents as per reporting mechanisms established in 8.4 of the URCS PSEA Policy

Other duties
• Support capacity building for staff at national and branch level in research
• Promote URCS visibility and support dissemination efforts to recruit members and volunteers.
• Participate in any other official activities within URCS or externally as may be assigned by the supervisors.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Minimum qualifications, working experience and competencies:
Education qualifications
• Minimum bachelor’s degree in public Heath, Health Services Research or a related field from an approved, recognized and reputable university is required.
• Postgraduate qualification with research aspect, projects planning, and management will be an added advantage.

Working experience
• Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience as a public health and research professional within a humanitarian or development-oriented research/policy organization, a government agency, think-tank foundation, or consulting firm
• Demonstrated ability to understand and synthesize complicated humanitarian services & policy issues, manage projects from start to finish, produce written analytic products, and show an affinity for working with data and statistics.
• Experience writing memos, reports, abstracts, manuscripts and related publications.

Core competencies
• Negotiation and conflict management
• Innovation and creatively
• Stakeholder management
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Communication
• Technology awareness
• Policy research and development
• Change capability and adaptability
• Manage resources
• Empowering and building trust.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Research skills
• Excellent command of English language, both written and spoken.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills: collegial, energetic, flexible, motivated, and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, consultants, and others who contribute to program development and management.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population, establish and maintain working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Advanced computer skills (Word, Excel, Power point, access, data analysis software, etc.)
• Ability to work self-motivated and independently and as member of a team
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), presentation and listening skills for multiple and diverse audiences.
• Ability to learn, understand and maintain current best practices in fundraising
• Respect for cross-cultural perspectives and experiences
• Commitment to promoting and encouraging generosity
• Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive information in accordance with organizational standards
• Excellent data analysis capabilities
• Superb project management and organizational skills, including attention to detail and the ability to multi-task.
• Can work independently and as part of a team, and welcomes opportunities to work across diverse cultures.
• Demonstrated maturity and seasoned judgment. Ability to make decisions and justify recommendations.