Research Officer

Job Description

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies.

The IRC began programming in northern Uganda in 1998 in response to mass displacement and devastation wrought by rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army. In 2002, the IRC expanded to the remote, conflict-affected region of Karamoja and in 2011, began working with refugees in Kampala. Monitoring the influx of South Sudanese refugees at the end of 2015, the IRC began scaling up its response to refugees arriving in the West Nile region. By promoting durable solutions that deliver on the interdependent aims of saving lives, strengthening institutions, and supporting social cohesion, the IRC in Uganda is laying the building blocks for long-term stability and development –bringing people from harm to home. The IRC currently works in 9 districts in Uganda, including Kitgum, Lamwo, Kasese, Kyegegwa, Moroto, Amudat, Yumbe, Arua and Kampala. The IRC will be moving into additional/new locations in refugee settlements in Obongi and Arua.

The IRC is currently implementing its health and nutrition program in West Nile and Acholi focusing on providing primary health care services to refugees in their settlements. Similar services will be extended to the new locations starting January 2020.

About WALIMU: World Alliance for Lung and Intensive Care Medicine in Uganda (WALIMU) is an NGO that works to empower health workers to address local health problems in Innovative ways in order to transform patient care and improve outcomes.

In partnership with WALIMU, IRC will be piloting a SMART discharges program within the humanitarian context of Lamwo district to find out best approaches in handling discharge so that proper predictions, evaluations, and follow-up strategies are undertaken so as to improve health outcomes after patient discharge.

Smart Discharges is a program under WALIMU whose aim is to improve post-discharge care in children recovering from severe illness.

Job Summary: We are looking for a Research Officer for our project titled Smart Discharges for vulnerable refugee children: A cohort study to validate prognostic algorithms for post-discharge readmission and mortality among children living in refugee settings. The main responsibility of the Research Officer will be to monitor the research study activities in Lamwo.

Duties and Responsibilities: •Supervising the work of the Research Nurses and Field Officers at the different study sites in Lamwo District. •Ensure that the Research Nurses and Field Officers adhere to the Standard operating procedures. •Checking data in REDCap to ensure its quality and completeness •Entering data in REDCap •Ensure full coverage of staff at all study sites •Oversee the inventory of all equipment and supplies provided to the research team in Lamwo and send monthly inventory report. •Request for a refill of the required supplies in the different study sites. •Provide weekly updates to the Project Coordinator and the PIs or any other members of the Research team. •Ensure the safety and confidentiality of all data collected. •Upholding high level of professional conduct •Conduct routine research nurse’s duties, when necessary, including. oDetermine patient eligibility at study sites oConsenting of study subjects oCollection of all required data during hospitalization oCollect specimens and conduct appropriate laboratory testing. •Any other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Qualification; bachelor’s degree in any health-related field with a diploma in Nursing registered with the Ugandan Nurses and Midwives Council. • Must hold a valid practicing license. • Excellent Leadership and Communication skills with colleagues, patients, clinicians and other members of the team. • Good interpersonal skills, and knowledge of practices, trends and principles in nursing and Quality of care • Certificate in Good Clinical Practice is an added practice. • Upholding high level of professional conduct. • Database familiarity; REDCap,ODK, Microsoft Word & Excel, email and general internet use. • Excellent nursing knowledge, emotional intelligence, high level of motivation and decision-making skills, with regard both to patient care and project needs. • Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally both in English and the Local Languages (Acholi or Arabic) • Strong leadership skills • Well-developed troubleshooting capacity and clarity of thought • Have high energy, clear goal orientation and strong work ethics. • Strong organization skills with the ability to prioritize workloads and work within tight deadlines • Excellent customer support and communication skills. • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment and to multi- task • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (verbal and written) • Able to work in a multi-cultural environment and with multi-disciplinary teams

Professional Standards: 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.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 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 reasonable accommodation.