Project Associate / Project Coordinator for Electronic Surveying and Information Technology (IT) (Kenya)

Background

• Postion: Project Associate / Project Coordinator for Electronic Surveying and Information Technology (IT)
• Deadline To Apply:  (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis)
• Start Date:  ASAP 2012
• Location:Kakamega / Bungoma; with flexibility to travel within Western Province
• Eligibility:Position open to all qualified applicants                        

IPA’s WASH Benefits Project is a five year study to evaluate the health benefits of sanitation, hygiene, household water treatment and nutrition using a large-scale, randomized evaluation that will take place in Western Province. We are currently seeking a Project Associate or Project Coordinator (title to be determined by experience and qualifications of selected candidate) to manage all IT-related aspects of the WASH Benefits project, primarily focusing on computer-assisted interviewing (CAI) for field surveys. Other relevant project components include: hardware and software support for digital data collection in the field, database architecture and maintenance, and SMS communication and surveying with study promoters and participants. The position will be based in Kakamega, but will require frequent travel to project offices in Bungoma and accompaniment of field survey teams into some rural areas.  The PA/PC will work closely with the WASH Benefits management team, including Project Coordinators (PCs), Project Associates (PAs), and Project Managers. The PA/PC may also periodically work or coordinate with the IPA-Kenya headquarters’ IT and Data personnel.

TASKS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Digital Data Collection

• Serve as primary liaison between WASH Benefits survey management staff and IPA support personnel in New Haven, USA, as well as any IT or programming consultants retained by the project
• Compile and maintain organized documentation for all programming and electronic surveying activities
• Contribute to survey programming, testing, and debugging in Blaise software package
• Liaise with IPA support personnel to format and/or create hard disk image for hardware devices to maximize survey capabilities and efficiency
• Assist in development of manual and trainings for proper hardware usage and maintenance
• Train field survey staff in proper use of survey devices and software and provide survey teams with ongoing feedback
• Assist with organization of data quality checks
• Organize and streamline the process of retrieving data from collection devices, storing in a secure database, and facilitating upload into STATA analysis software
• Provide technical support and troubleshoot any hardware or software issues arising in the course of digital data collection

Database Management

• Set up and maintain an organized, efficient, and secure database for all pilot and project data
• Ensure proper encryption and storage procedures are followed with regard to all personal identifying data
• Help coordinate consistent database design, maintenance, and access issues with project collaborators in the United States and Bangladesh

SMS Communication System

Work with WASH management staff to oversee an existing system for SMS communication and MPESA payments to community intervention assistants

General

• Provide general technical support and troubleshooting assistance for the WASH management team
• Research and make recommendations on any computer-related project purchases
• Participate and provide input at regular team meetings
• Complete all duties in a timely manner with the utmost integrity
• Coordinate with IPAK Information Technology and Data personnel in the headquarters on IPAK guidelines and procedures that may relate to WASH Benefits IT systems and inform IPAK as needed about new IT activities

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science
• 1-2 years prior experience in an IT-related position, experience with responsibilities above strongly preferred
• Must have prior experience with field survey design and implementation, electronic surveying, and data quality oversight, preferably in a research setting
• Programming experience, especially SQL
• Wide knowledge of common hardware and software platforms, preferably including mobile platforms (Android, iOS) and open-source platforms (Apache, GNU/Linux)
• Excellent oral and written communication skillsin  English
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Well organized, detail-oriented, able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision
• Commitment period of 2 years

Desired

• Experience with data management (i.e. MySQL) and quality control strongly preferred
• Experience working in a health / medical research environment in Africa
• Fluency in Kiswahili is a strong plus
• Master’s degree in Computer Science will be an added advantage

This is a re-advertisement. Previous applicants need not reapply.

TO APPLY:

Please send a cover letter, detailed CV (including daytime phone number and an email address), your scanned copy of certificates, and 3 professional references. All files should be submitted in pdf form with the file names LASTcover_letter.pdf, LASTNAME_CV.pdf, LASTNAME_certificate# (non-pdf format acceptable, replace # with 1, 2, 3, etc.), LASTNAME_references.pdf.

Applications can be submitted in person at our Busia office, by email to jobs@poverty-action.org and cc  jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org, or by mail to PO Box 373, Busia, 50400 Kenya. If you submit by email, please ensure that the subject line reads: “WASH Benefits IT Officer”.