Job Description

Name of the Position:

Research Associate (Qualitative)

Location:

Flood affected areas of Bihar, India

Background:

India, grappling with the second-highest rates of diabetes and heart disease globally, faces exacerbated challenges during flood emergencies. During flood-disasters, access to medication and continuation of care for patients with diabetes, chronic cardiac and respiratory diseases are interrupted. This results into increase morbidity (exacerbations of symptoms, hospital admissions etc.) and mortality. To improve the situation, the project aims to co-develop (together with the communities and stakeholders) primary care interventions to improve preparedness and response for NCDs during flood-disasters in India. The project will be based in the flood-prone areas of communities of Bihar and Kerala.

Given the complex nature, over a period of five years, the project will employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to – a. understand the situation of NCD care in flood prone areas (provision of NCD care, mapping of the healthcare providers, community need etc.), b. co-develop health system and community preparedness intervention components to manage NCDs during floods, c. implement and evaluate the complex-intervention model using a cluster RCT or other best evaluation design, d. co-develop an integrated meteorological-hydrological flood-warning system to provide timely forecasting in the future, integrated with the needs of the health system and e. estimate the potential costs and benefits of the complex-intervention with the health system, community, and meteorological-hydrological forecasting, including a societal perspective and the effect of flood-forecasting on this estimate. In doing so, the project will also ensure – a. engagement of the stakeholders, patients, and communities in two-way exchanges of experiences and information that support their meaningful involvement, b. capacity building across the range of research disciplines in our consortium, c. comprehensive dissemination of the findings to key stakeholders and academics across states, national and global level and d. equitable partnership between governance and project management.

This five year project has been funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research, Department of Health and Social Care, United Kingdom. The project is jointly led by the Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, UK and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Kerala, India. The other esteemed partners of this project are: a. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India b. Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Centre, Bihar, India, c. Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Bihar, India and d. Doctors for You, India.

Job Description:

We are looking for an expert qualitative researcher who will be based in Bihar and collect qualitative data using a range of related tools and techniques. The researcher is expected to collect information regarding various dimensions of NCD related care including access and provision of care. Furthermore, the researcher will interact and collect information from various healthcare providers and government officials. This activity will involve pre, during and after flood, primarily in rural areas of Bihar.

Duration:

Short-term (6 months)

Qualification:

Essential:

• MSc/MA/MPhil (or PhD candidates) in sociology/anthropology/public health. Preference will be given for whose own dissertation aligns with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) using qualitative methods.

• Familiarity with society and culture of poorer states in India.

• Previous experience of working in qualitative public health research project preferably on NCDs and/or disaster like flood.

• Clear understanding of collection and management of qualitative data.

• Strong understanding of importance to adherence to protocol and research methods.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Willingness to reside in the local community.

Desirable:

• Around 1 year of experience in conducting qualitative health research

• Past experience of quantitative survey and related methods

• Familiarity with society and culture in Bihar

Deliverables:

• Draft interview guideline and checklists for field observations.

• Conduct semi-structured interviews and field observations among flood affected areas in Bihar.

• Train field staff in collecting high quality and timely qualitative data.

• Ensure timely transcription and translation of the data.

• Co-ordinate with local stakeholders, health workers/providers and village leaders.

• Maintain detailed log of field work and provide weekly reports.

• Liaise with Research Manager, Research Associate and other team members.

Reporting and supervision:

The prospective researcher will be reportable to Doctors For You for all administrative purposes and will be supervised by the project partners/collaborators for scientific outputs.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to info@doctorsforyou.org. Please include "Research Associate Application - [Your Name]" in the subject line.

For more queries, please contact 9234021289

The last date for application submission is 5th July 2024. Selected candidates are expected to join by mid-July 2024.

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