Water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) continues to be a major problem in Tanzania. The 2015 Millennium Development Goals for water supply and improved sanitation has not been meet for Tanzania. Promotion of WaSH through effective policy translation and Research into Use (RIU) is needed.

The Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) in partnership with the Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) is seeking a research officer to fill the policy translation and RIU position. MITU is the lead partner for SHARE in Tanzania. SHARE stands for the Sanitation and Hygiene Applied Research for Equity. Funded by the UK Government, SHARE is a research consortium led by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), in collaboration with several international partners.

The position requires a candidate who will be effective in promoting the WaSH agenda to key stakeholders in Tanzania. The position will be based with IHI with a time split between work on MITU research translation and IHI research activities. Both partner institutions acknowledge that some of these activities may overlap. The position is based in Dar es Salaam, IHI, Mikocheni office. The position will require travel to Mwanza and other field sites as necessary.

Duties and responsibilities

• Establish a functional policy translation platform for water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) portfolio research outcomes from IHI and MITU -SHARE activities with key stakeholders from public, NGO and private sectors.
• Work with the SHARE M&E Officer and Research Uptake Officer (RUO) to establish an M&E strategy for SHARE in Tanzania
• Co-ordinate meetings, workshops and results and policy translation events with key stakeholders.
• Lead on an outcome mapping exercise, with support from SHARE’s core team in London, in early 2016
• Conduct local and national government engagement meetings and project inception community and stakeholder meetings.
• Establish good working relationships with national and international partners involved in the field of sanitation and hygiene
• Contribute to reporting requirements with respect to stakeholder engagement, results dissemination and policy translation.
• Engage with media agencies to promote WaSH research results and increase its standing on the national agenda.
• Ensure that quality control procedures and ethical guidelines are adequately followed in the running of activities.
• Report on progress and outcomes of the projects from time to time, by way of electronic or printed reports, institutional presentations and scientific conferences both locally and internationally.
• Contribute to writing and publishing at least one mid-authored scientific paper in a peer reviewed and internationally recognised journals.
• Contribute to attracting and competing for research grants to address scientific questions in line with strategic objectives of IHI and MITU, and the public health needs of the target area.
• Assist in establishing research collaboration between IHI and MITU and high calibre national and international WaSH researchers.
• Collect on a quarterly basis the information/data required to support the delivery of the M&E strategy
• With support from the SHARE RUO, contribute content on SHARE research in Tanzania to the SHARE website
• Seek and complete professional development opportunities.
• Conduct any other duties as may be assigned by the line managers and the institute management.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum requirement is a bachelor degree in medicine, science, engineering, or social sciences.
• Desirable qualifications are an Master and/or PhD in a related field.
• Knowledge and preferably experience in the policy translation process
• Ability to conduct meetings and liaison with community, government and other stakeholders
• Engagement with media agencies
• Oral presentations of scientific research
• Preparing reports and manuscripts
• Willingness to engage in higher education and professional development opportunities
• Proven experience of engaging and influencing policy and research communities in the development (particularly WASH) sector in Tanzania
• A strong understanding of WASH issues, particularly in the Tanzanian context
• Demonstrable experience of designing and drafting publications to communicate research content to different audiences, including non-technical audiences
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels and across countries
• Proven experience of working in, and organising events in developing countries
• Strong organisational skills
• Demonstrable ability to operate in a flexible working environment working across different countries, cultures and time zones
• Experience of working under time pressure and meeting strict deadlines, without close supervision
• A willingness to undertake work-related travel within (and potentially outside of) Tanzania

Competencies

• Computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Spoken and written English to business standards
• Spoken and written KiSwahili to business standards

Remuneration and Mode of Employment

An attractive and competitive remuneration package will be offered to successful candidates as per IHI salary scales. The contract will initially be for one year with a three month probation period. Extension of the contract for a second year is anticipated, but this will be based on performance.

Mode of Application

All candidates meeting the above job requirements should channel their application letters with detailed curriculum vitae (CVs) showing contact address, e-mail, telephone numbers, and photocopies of academic and professional certificates to the address below. The application letter should also include the following information:

• Why the applicant is interested in this policy translation position
• Ideas for WaSH policy translation and research dissemination activities

IHI staff working in other projects may also apply and should channel their applications through their respective project.

The deadline for this application is 15 March 2016. Interviews will be held in Dar es Salaam.

Find out more on the Ifakara Health Institute website.

Email: recruitment@ihi.or.tz copying jmthomas@ihi.or.tz and recruitment@mitu.or.tz

The Chief Human Resources Officer

Ifakara Health Institute,

Plot 463, Kiko Avence,

Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam

PO Box 78 373,