LAMRN [KENYA] 

Particulars of Appointment 

Research Assistant: NIHR Global Health Research Group on stillbirth prevention and management in sub-Saharan Africa, The University of Manchester 

Vacancy Ref: No.2

 

Salary: Research Assistant salary will be consolidated and competitive

Hours: Full-time

Duration: Fixed-term, until 31 July 2020

Location: Nairobi

Responsible to: Prof Grace Omoni and Regional Research co-ordinator (to be appointed)

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Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting or interviews:

info@lamrn.org or 0727466460

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The post has derived from a collaboration between LAMRN and the University of Manchester.

Lugina Africa Midwives Research Network (LAMRN)

The Lugina Africa Midwives Research Network (LAMRN) is a network dedicated to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes, in Africa, through improving evidence-based practice. LAMRN supports midwifery research, information sharing, networking and training activities in six countries in the region including Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Working across the 6 countries, LAMRN brings together a network of dedicated midwifery researchers, teachers, practitioners and other health partners.

LAMRN’s priority areas include:

• Supporting senior midwifery partners to develop research leadership skills
• Working with midwives in target countries to identify country-level maternal health research priorities
• Providing training for midwives to improve research and evidence-based practice skills
• Developing a mentorship system for midwives to develop research projects in national and regional priority areas for improving care and outcomes for women and their families.

The network is based on a partnership model that encourages research skills and knowledge sharing through direct programme support as well as an innovative ‘buddy system’ mentorship programme ensuring that research coordinators are partnered with experienced counterparts in the UK to support knowledge sharing and skills transfer.

For further information, please access the website, www.LAMRN.org

The University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is the largest single-site university in the UK with around 38,000 students and more than 11,000 staff. The project collaboration is with the Centre for Global Women’s Health, within the Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, which is recognised for delivering world-class teaching and research across nursing, midwifery, social work and related disciplines.

We currently provide undergraduate and postgraduate education to more than 2,000 students in close partnership with the NHS and are among the top ten universities in the world at which to study nursing (QS World University Rankings 2016). Our research excellence was recognised by the results of REF 2014 and is underpinned by the production of collaborative, high-quality and impactful research which aims to improve health and social care at local, national and international levels. We have a worldwide reputation for high-quality research in nursing, midwifery and social work, including extensive national and international collaboration with a wide range of partners.

Job Description

The Research Assistant will work on a project related to stillbirth. Globally, 2.6 million babies die just before or during birth each year; 98% of stillbirths occur in low and middle income countries. Stillbirth is a tragedy for women and families, who suffer long lasting grief for their baby and are at high risk of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder; most have little support and care. In low income countries, including Sub-Saharan Africa, over half of stillbirths happen during labour. Many women also have associated health problems. In all countries, women who are from minority groups, are poor or have limited education are far more likely to experience the death of their baby. Stillbirth also affects health services, through increased costs for care and treatment and health staff stress and burnout when supporting bereaved families. Many stillbirths are preventable with good quality maternity care, e.g. identification, monitoring and managing a mother whose baby is failing to grow during pregnancy, can result in a positive outcome. Unfortunately progress in preventing stillbirth has been far too slow to reach international targets and many women still do not receive basic humane care after their baby dies. A major problem is the lack of understanding of causes, how to change practice and provide better care in the countries most affected.

In this research project we will bring together leading researchers, with expertise in stillbirth prevention and bereavement care to work with colleagues who have long standing experience and skills of working in maternity care in low and middle income countries. The team includes midwives, obstetricians, paediatricians and research methods experts.  The project will tackle 3 areas of care. We will  a) gain understanding of the issues in improving stillbirth prevention, childbirth and bereavement care in low income settings b) develop culturally relevant studies for further investigation, and c) establishing itself as a catalyst for change.

The focus of the Research Assistant’s work will be on ensuring that the project objectives are met. This will include a range of activities including gaining ethical approvals, collecting data, contributing to data analysis, data management, providing progress reports and liaising with the wider team. Additional research activities may also be required, according to the needs of the project.

Overall Purpose of the job

• To ensure timely delivery of project objectives
• To fulfil the aims of the research work stream
• To contribute to project reporting, dissemination and publications

Key responsibilities, accountabilities or duties

Research

• To support the development of research protocols.
• To secure local ethical and international ethical approvals.
• To collect and manage data.
• Contribute to analysis of data.
• To liaise with key stakeholders.
• Meet regularly with PPI groups.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation activities.

Team work

• Assist in the co-ordination of local meetings.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings.
• Contribute to activities outlined in the Communication Plan.

Planning

• Coordinate and ensure the implementation of the project activities and according to the action plan.
• Manage own research and administrative activities.

Communication

• Communicate research information, orally, in writing and electronically.
• Report monthly to the research co-ordinator on project activities.
• Provide written progress reports, as required.
• Disseminate research findings, locally, nationally and internationally, through oral presentations.
• Contribute to research publications.
• Build internal contacts and join external networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration. 

 

Person Specifications

Essential

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Experience of recent working in maternity care
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working
• Research experience in an academic and/or relevant health care setting
• Experience of qualitative methodology
• General understanding of research methods and evaluation research
• Ability to read, critique and synthesise research literature

Interpersonal skills

• Self-motivated and able to work flexibly either independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Able to liaise and work professionally, collaboratively and effectively with local and international partners
• Experience in interactions with key stakeholders

Project skills

• Information technology literate including high proficiency in using MS Word and PowerPoint
• Attention to detail and highly developed organisational skills
• Able to manage own work on a day-to-day basis
• Able to prioritise workload and manage time
• Able to work to tight deadlines
• Excellent report writing skills 

Other

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with a high level of attention to detail and ability to communicate to scientific, lay and stakeholder audiences
• Commitment, motivation and flexibility
• Knowledge of developments in policy and practice
• Willingness to perform a wide range of tasks as directed and as required

Desirable

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Registered Midwife
• Experience of working with LAMRN (Including membership)
• 1^st or upper second-class honours degree in relevant subject
• Experience in data management and analysis
• Experience of working in the global health arena
• A record of publications and other dissemination activities
• Experience of coordinating multiple projects

 

Send your applications to: info@lamrn.org   

Deadline for the applications will be 9^th December, 2017. All those shortlisted will be informed by email and short message.