Constrained Optimization Fellow

The IRC’s Airbel Impact Lab designs, tests, and scales life-changing, cost-effective solutions for people affected by conflict and disaster. By applying deep technical expertise and field experience with a range of skills from the behavioral sciences, human-centered design, research, and multi-disciplinary problem-solving in humanitarian contexts, we work to develop breakthrough solutions that combine creativity and precision, flexibility and expertise, and a desire to think afresh with the experience and reputation of a large-scale implementing organization.

Collaboration with Rustandy Center

The research team at Rustandy specializes in investigating complex issues and finding implementable solutions from an operations management perspective. They have been collaborating with the Airbel team and IRC Liberia on a few projects, including (1) Using a knapsack model to improve delivery of CHW services and (2) Using constrained optimization to identify the most critical interventions to include in a community-delivered package of maternal and neonatal interventions. Through these collaborations, we have identified a number of other areas where ongoing collaboration with operations researchers could support IRC’s work on Nutrition and SRMNH.

The Role

This two-year position for a post-doc would help to deepen the set of analytical methods used by the two health-focused GRIPs within IRC: The Nutrition GRIP and the Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal and Neonatal Health GRIPs. The role would focus particularly on (1) core areas of operations research, such as process mapping, where IRC’s in-house research teams have minimal experience, and (2) higher-dimensional problems that require the use of larger sources of data and state-of-the-art modeling techniques.

Here are the projects that we’ve scoped for the role, which we would prioritize and right-size to align with capacity for post-doc as well as GRIPs to take on new priorities:

Indicative Projects for Post-Doctoral Researcher

Constrained Optimization

SRMNH GRIP

• Optimizing MNH package for FHWs in Somalia

• Optimizing MNH package for CHWs in South Sudan

• Generalizing and formalizing MNH Constrained Optimization model/tool

Nutrition GRIP

• Optimizing nutritional content of RUTF/RUSF formulation, based on available local inputs (Stochastic Optimization)

Machine Learning & Predictive Analytics

SRMNH GRIP

• Perform analysis on expected behavior changes and resulting health outcomes if select at-home birth interventions are offered (counterfactual analysis)

Nutrition GRIP

• Patient-level predictive analytics based on digitized patient data

Process Mapping & Bottleneck Analysis

SRMNH GRIP

• Studying referral systems for MNH and EMONC

Nutrition GRIP

• Global/external supply chain for RUTF and RUSF

• Internal IRC supply chain processes for RUTF/RUSF, bottleneck analysis and quantify gains from solutions

• If multiple refeeding products exist, policies for distribution (online matching)

• Which patients need to return for follow-up care? Identifying which parameters are important in determining outcomes for malnutrition and setting thresholds for follow-up with CHW vs. follow-up at health facility

Publications

SRMNH GRIP

• Design of Maternal and Neonatal Community Health Worker Packages in Somalia Using the Lives Saved Tool: A Constrained Optimization Approach (in progress)

• Constrained Optimization of Maternal and Neonatal Community Health Worker Packages in South Sudan

• Community Health Assistant iCCM medication distribution in Liberia: A Brownian motion inventory model (in progress)

• Structural Estimation of Health Outcomes with for at-Home Births with Barriers to Health Facility Access

Nutrition GRIP

• Inventory Management of RUTF/RUSF at the Community Level: How to Divide Interventions Between CHWs and Health Facilities

• Optimal Design of RUTF Products with Stochastic Inputs and Demand: How Local Inputs can be Matched to Local Demand

• Online Matching of Malnourished Patients with Refeeding Products

• Reducing Follow-up Care Congestion: Predictive Analysis of Outcomes for Dividing Patients

Job Requirements

Education and Experience

● Masters/PhD in Operations and Management or related field

● 6-8 years in related work experience, including projects in humanitarian and/or development contexts.

● Demonstrated expertise in developing constrained optimization models related to humanitarian work.

● Exceptional data analysis skills.

● Demonstrated competency in writing quantitative research articles, including track record of peer-reviewed published articles.

● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: able to successfully and effectively partner with a variety of people in a multi-cultural environment and work on a virtual team.

● Ability to synthesize complex information sets and drive decisions in situations with potentially diverging opinions.

● Ability to work independently while being an active member of the team.

● Committed to upholding diversity, equality and inclusion principles.

The IRC is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Compensation:

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:

In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity:

IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

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Qualifications