KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation (KNCV) is one of the leading international non-profit organizations dedicated to fighting tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. We are an international center of expertise for TB control that stimulates effective, efficient and sustainable tuberculosis control strategies in a national and international context. We are an organization of passionate TB professionals; including medical doctors, researchers, training experts, nurses and epidemiologists.

Over the past century we have built a wealth of knowledge and expertise, initially by successfully driving back TB in the Netherlands, and subsequently by partnering in the fight against TB in over 40 countries worldwide. In addition to TB control, KNCV is active in the field of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and COVID-19 prevention and control.

We operate from a central office in The Hague in the Netherlands and additional country offices worldwide). KNCV raises funds from individual, institutional and corporate donors.

Background

Declared a public health emergency and pandemic in March 2021, the COVID-19 has since infected over 184 million people worldwide and caused nearly 4 million deaths so far. Critical gaps remain in various countries in terms of tools to better limit transmission and address treatment and care to avoid mortality due to COVID-19. While vaccinations have been available for over 6 months now, many low-income countries are lagging in their vaccination efforts and access which makes equitable access to other commodities such as quality affordable diagnostics that can identify cases early as well as access to key commodities for care and treatment.

By accelerating access to diagnostic and therapeutic interventions within existing health systems leading to improved uptake of effective COVID-19 test and treatment solutions within health care systems it is anticipated that the public health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is reduced.

KNCV is currently recruiting a Research Officer for a project focusing on enhancing accelerated access to diagnostics, care and treatment innovation for COVID-19 that will be implemented in up to five countries including Ethiopia.

Purpose of the position and organizational position

KNCV aims to generate evidence for the above project and interventions as they are implemented. As a Research officer, your work will focus on the day-to-day technical coordination of  diverse operational research activities. You may conduct surveys, patients- and health provider interviews, perform data analysis, carry out operational research, and provide epidemiological support to complex studies as part of the project in order to enhance evidence-based decision-making. The Research Officer reports to the Project Manager.

Duties and responsibilities

• Support the development of research protocols;
• Facilitate local ethics and administrative approvals;
• Contribute to designing standard operating procedures for the study;
• Develop project plan for the implementation of the research protocols;
• Based on the approved research protocol train other research assistants, fieldworkers or data collectors on interview protocols and appropriate standard operating procedures;
• Organize and support data collection;
• Validate data received from studies;
• Conduct statistical analyses and collaborate with project research team both in-country and KNCV The Hague;
• Participate in scheduled results dissemination activities;
• Contribute to reports and scientific articles writing and publishing;
• Other related necessary duties per the Supervisor’s request.

What does KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation offer?

•  A full time (40 hours) fixed-term contract until August 31, 2022;
• An informal work atmosphere in an international environment where initiative is appreciated;
• A highly-motivated team of experienced, self-driven colleagues;
• The salary is dependent upon education and relevant working experience;
• KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation has its own Employment Conditions Scheme.

Who are we looking for?

• Masters’ or corresponding degree in epidemiology, health economics, statistics, medicine, pharmacy, or in international health; preference shall be given to candidates with medical and/or health sciences degrees;
• At least 3 years’ experience primarily in the field of health research in an international organization preferably on COVID  and related field;
• A minimum of five peer-reviewed scientific publications in a reputable journal;
• Knowledge of and experience with epidemiological and statistical analysis in the field of public health;
• Knowledge of and experience with quantitative and qualitative epidemiological research techniques;
• Skills in applying statistical software for data validation and data analysis (e.g. SPSS, STATA);
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently;
• Ability to cope with stress and to organize and prioritize workload;
• Excellent oral and writing skills in English.