IRD is offering exciting opportunities for young people interested in pursuing careers in public health, economics, international development, or any related field. IRD is a non-profit research and service delivery organization committed to saving lives through improvements in global health.
Position Description:
RAs assist in designing and implementing IRD’s research projects. They work closely with Project Managers to design research tools, train and manage field teams, manage and analyze data, and oversee the logistics of the project.
Education/Experience/Qualities Required:
RAs typically have a Bachelor’s Degree in international development, public health, economics, social sciences, or other related fields. RAs should have an interest in pursuing a career in public health or international development and working with vulnerable communities. Strong leadership, management, written and oral communication skills, and fluency in both English and Urdu are required for projects based in Pakistan.
What does a job at IRD lead to:
RAs who have worked with IRD have gone onto graduate studies at Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, Johns Hopkins University, and other leading institutions. This not only reflects the caliber of RAs at IRD, but also the skills and networks acquired through these positions.
Some of the projects for which RAs are required include:
Interactive Reminders: Monitoring Patient Compliance with Tuberculosis Treatment Regimens
IRD is conducting a randomized control trial in Karachi to evaluate the impact of Interactive Reminders, a two-way SMS reminder system on patient compliance with their tuberculosis medication. The study is being conducted in partnership with economists at the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT. The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in implementing cutting-edge research in the field of health and international development. RAs are responsible for managing day-to-day field activities, data management and conducting preliminary analysis, and coordinating with partner organizations. Familiarity with STATA and other data analysis software is preferable.
TB REACH 2
TB REACH 2 is a WHO Stop TB Partnership funded multi-country project. This project is increasing early case-detection, reporting and correct treatment of TB in low-cost private laboratories serving poor communities in Karachi, Pakistan, and Dhaka, Bangladesh. A novel system of engaging with private laboratories is being piloted for the first time through this project. We are looking for a Research Associate (RA) and a Field Coordinator based at our Karachi site. The RA should preferably be medically qualified with data analysis and research skills. The Field Coordinator should have experience in managing field teams and should enjoy doing fieldwork. There will be opportunities to get involved in operational research.
Interactive Alerts: A phone-based vaccine registry utilizing SMS reminders and conditional cash transfers
This project aims to improve immunization coverage through public-private programs in Karachi, Pakistan by linking conditional cash transfers (CCT) through lotteries, a phone-based radio frequency identification (RFID) system, and SMS reminders. We will enroll at least 15,000 infants or provide incentives for over 75,000 vaccinations at participating high-volume centers over 2 years. These centers will include government and private birthing centers and hospitals with EPI centers on-site, and high-volume private clinics that are not linked to any EPI centers. Research Associates will be responsible for the day-to-day monitoring of field activity and trouble-shooting issues with the phone-based system that occur in the field.
IT Implementations
IRD implements electronic data systems including mobile phone systems for use in health related projects both inside and outside Pakistan. Research Associates for these implementation projects are involved in the deployment of software, helping to customize and tailor these systems for use in the local country context, training of staff, and the development of user manuals and instructional materials. These positions require extended travel to regions including but not limited to South Asia, Central Asia, South East Asia, and Africa. Ideal candidates for these positions have prior experience with the deployment and usability of software systems. In addition to English, fluency in any one of Arabic, Bahasa Indonesian, Bangla, Russian, Swahili or Tajik will be an asset.
How to Apply
To apply for an RA position at IRD, please forward your CV (1-2 pages) and a cover letter to hr@irdresearch.org with “RA Jobs” as the subject line. If you have a preference for a particular project or program area, please include this in the subject line and in your cover letter. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.