Nutrition Survey and Research Adviser
Reports to: Head of Technical Assistance, SAL
Liaises with: Senior Advisor Food and Nutrition Security, Nutrition Advisors, Programme Approaches and Learning Unit (PALU) and research partner Valid International
Manages: No direct reports
Job location: Dublin with substantial international travel.
Pay Band: Band 5 (€45,563 - €53,603))
Contract: Two Year fixed term contract
Job Purpose:
Concern Worldwide is partnering with Valid International to further test their recently developed Rapid Assessment Method (RAM) designed to address a number of limitations with the existing approach to collecting nutrition data through SMART (Standardised Monitoring and Assessment for Relief and Transitions) Surveys. The research will be undertaken in three countries (Ethiopia, Chad and South Sudan) to examine the following:
Does Valid’s innovative survey method provide the same results as traditional (SMART) surveys on a selection of key indicators, specifically related to nutrition and infant and young child feeding?
What are the cost savings, per round of data collection that can materialise from utilising the innovative survey method?
The role of the nutrition survey specialist will be to:
Working alongside Valid International team to build capacity of Concern’s nutritionists based in-country and at head office on quantitative survey methodologies (SMART, SQUEAC, SLEAC) using ENA software package and others as appropriate.
Ensuring high quality to be conducted in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Chad in partnership with Valid International.
Key Responsibilities:
Overall responsibility for leading Concern's contribution to the three country research on survey methods.
Serve as focal point person on discussions relating to the research; liaise with Valid, Concern head office and the Concern country offices involved in the research.
Provide technical assistance during research design, implementation, data analysis and write up.
Serve as a resource person within the research project; share key information and updates with other technical staff; and coordinate with Valid and Concern technical advisors as appropriate.
Respond to requests from Concern Senior Management and donors for technical guidance and information.
Make research findings available to Concern and present them externally.
More broadly: provide support and backstopping responsibilities for Concern’s nutrition surveys carried out in the countries as part of routine interventions (baselines, mid-terms, end lines).
Work alongside the Valid International team to build capacity of Concern’s nutritionists in nutrition survey methodologies through remote support, a regional workshop and country visits as per need.
Contribute to the technical reviews of nutrition survey tools for data collection, compilation and analysis and the write-up of findings.
Assist HR with the recruitment of nutrition survey consultants and enumerators required for data collection in country.
Skills and Experience Required:
Essential:
Minimum Master’s degree in either
Nutrition or Food Security with experience in statistics or
Statistics with a proven record working in nutrition, health or food security.
At least three years’ experience in a relevant overseas position.
Theoretical and practical experience in various survey methodologies such as SMART, LQAS, SLEAC, SQUEAC, S3M, and others.
Experience using statistical software packages such as SPSS, SAS, STATA, EPI Info and R.
Proven record of experience in capacity building of staff of various levels (enumerators, supervisors, survey managers).
Experience conducting nutrition surveys in development and humanitarian emergency contexts.
Understanding of the multi-sectoral causes and consequences of malnutrition; ability to analyze data from related sectors to understand impact on nutritional status of the study population.
Good communications skills, able to build strong relationships with the various actors involved in the research and routine M&E activities.
Working independently, good self-management and working towards tight deadlines.
Being pro-active.
Willingness to travel up to 40% of the time, with visits of up to one month duration.
Completed research ethics certification (or the willingness to obtain certification prior to employment)
Desirable:
French language skills
Experience as a principle investigator or study coordinator on a multi-country research study
Experience conducting nutrition surveys with special population groups such as pastoralists, or in urban context
Experience in working collaboratively with diverse actors such as research organizations, NGO head office and country teams, government representatives
Experience in looking into cost-effectiveness of various survey methodologies
Experience with project management and donor compliance (e.g. reporting, contract and procurement basics)
To apply: CVs should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by closing date: 15/09/2019
Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Ireland at the time of application.
Concern is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.