Research Officer / Senior Research Officer - PHFI (Apply by: 1st Sept'14)

Position Code : PHFI-SRAO-10

Position Title : Research Officer / Senior Research Officer

Location : New Delhi

Duration of Position : One year initially (to be extended based on performance of the 
incumbent or need of the project)

Brief on the Organization:

Public Health Foundation of India, a public private initiative to build large scale human resource capacity in public health through its three pronged integrated charter of (a) establishing a network of world class, India-relevant schools of public health & strengthening some of the existing schools (b) establishing standards for public health education through the formation of an accreditation agency and (c) strengthening research and policy in areas related to public health.

For more information, please visit the website www.phfi.org.

Project Brief: 

The HIV/AIDS Partnership: Impact through Prevention, Private Sector and Evidence-based Programming (PIPPSE) Project will be managed by a Consortium, led by PHFI as the Principal Recipient and, Futures Group, CARE India and Population Services International (PSI), as Sub Recipients. The PIPPSE Project aims to “strengthen the institutional and human capacity in prevention programs and private sector engagement through innovative approaches to contribute to achieving the goal of accelerating the reversal of HIV epidemic at the national and state levels”. The project will achieve its goal through: (1) evidence-informed, demand-driven technical assistance to National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and State AIDS Control Societies (SACS) in five focus states (Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh), to improve the quality of Targeted Intervention programs for Most At Risk Populations (MARPs) and Migrants; and to promote private sector engagement in HIV/AIDS programs and services; and (2) Promotion and sustaining innovations and demonstration models to improve the coverage and access of MARPs and Migrants to a continuum of prevention-to-care services.

Deliverables:

• The RO / SRO shall be reporting to the Regional Institute [NICED (Kolkata), NIHFW (New Delhi) and NIE (Chennai)]
• Coordinate with all stake holders (State AIDS Control Society, Field research Agency, Identified Laboratories, Dept of AIDS Control etc) on various activities pertaining to Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance.
• Participate in training programs organised by Department of AIDS Control (DAC).
• Contribute in translation/back-translation of IBBS guidelines, training manuals, data collection tools etc. in local languages.
• Conduct interviews with a variety of respondents from all study population to do the pre-testing of tools and share the feedback with DAC and Lead development of work plans with timelines, monitoring and supervision plan etc. for the IBBS activities for
• Coordinate organization of training program at RI including logistics and Contribute significantly as a resource person at training programs organized by RI, State AIDS Control Society, Field research Agency etc.
• Do capacity building of State Surveillance Team (SSTs) members on IBBS guidelines, monitoring guidelines as well as on online/offline reporting mechanism and Track routinely with stakeholders on progress pertaining to various aspects of IBBS.
• Coordinate with laboratories on various activities including tracking of progress on testing of IBBS samples and Share routine, periodic updates to DAC on progress of IBBS activities.
• Provide data as required by DAC, by coordinating with different stakeholders, within prescribed timeline and Travel to field work locations, at least for 15 days in a month, as a part of supportive supervision mechanism, including on-job capacity building.
• Travel to the field on an urgent basis in case of need for crisis management.
• Contribute in writing manuals, reports, briefing notes, and other materials as required, and

Qualification & Experience: 

Essential

• MBBS degree from a Medical college recognized by MCI with 2 years related experience and Masters’ degree in demography/statistics/public health/health administration or equivalent with 4 years related experience

Skills & Competencies:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and at least one of the local language of the states allocated to RI’s 
• Knowledge of Computer Applications and Data Management 
• Willingness and ability to spend extensive periods of time (at least 15 days in a month, to include weekends and evenings) in field areas throughout IBBS field work, often at minimal notice;
• Proven record of successful interaction with individuals from a diverse array of backgrounds, including government officials, NGOs program manager, high risk groups etc.
• Demonstrable experience of conducting and analyzing field research and managing a local research team including managing of training programs
• Comprehensive knowledge of the National AIDS Control Programme including in-depth understanding of High Risk group and Bridge Population
• Experience in program management and logistics; Punctuality, intellectual curiosity, willingness to take initiative, multi-tasking, and willingness to work under pressure to meet deadlines

Annual Salary (CTC) will be approximately Rs. 600,000/- and will be based on the available skills and fitment of the incumbent as per the selection process.

Applications, along with detailed CV, may be sent to: recruit@phfi.org. Please highlight the Position Code (PHFI-SRAO-10) in the subject. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview.

Last Date of Receipt of Applications: 01 September 2014

Women are encouraged to apply