Data Analyst/Statistician for the Cash for Prevention of Acute Malnutrition in Somalia (C4PAM) Study

About Us:

This role involves providing data management and analysis for a research study funded by the World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with Evidence for Change (e4c).

e4c is a local humanitarian research organization based in East Africa that promotes innovative approaches to humanitarian action. The research study, entitled “Cash for Prevention of Acute Malnutrition in Somalia (C4PAM),” aims to assess the impact of adding top-up cash or supplementary feeding with special nutritious food to relief cash on improving diet diversity and reducing the risk of acute malnutrition in children aged 6-59 months and pregnant and lactating women (PLWS) during a humanitarian crisis in southern Somalia. The study will investigate the effectiveness of these interventions against risk factors for acute child malnutrition. Subject to ethical and administrative permissions being granted by the Ministry of Health, the study will take place among cash beneficiaries of WFP in Baidoa and Mogadishu districts in Somalia.

Start Date: To Be Confirmed

About the Role:

We are seeking applications for a data analyst/statistician position for a small research team at e4c. The successful candidate will be a member of the C4PAM trial team, which also includes a principal investigator (PI), study coordinator (SC), and field coordinator (FC). This is an exciting new post for a statistician with a strong background in statistics who would like to expand their skill set and/or move into working in clinical trials. The successful candidate will receive hands-on support from a senior researcher while gaining experience in the conduct of the statistical evaluations of the studies undertaken by e4c. They will also have the opportunity to develop their methodological expertise.

Purpose:

The post-holder will act as a data manager and analyst for the trial and will be responsible for ensuring the technical quality of the research study, its tools and approaches, and the data analysis, are in line with the approved Study Protocol. Working alongside the PI, Study Coordinator, and Field Coordinator, the post-holder will engage closely with project, technical, and managerial colleagues in e4c to code data collection tools, manage data, and analyse trial results, and actively support all aspects of the study. These include:

1. Coding the trial data collection tool in ODK
2. Create and maintain databases for storing and managing study-related data.
3. Conduct data quality checks and resolve any discrepancies or issues.
4. Develop data analysis plans and protocols in collaboration with the research team.
5. Undertake trial-based analyses for trial evaluations.
6. Prepare clear and concise reports summarizing study findings.
7. Create visualizations, such as graphs, charts, and tables, to present data effectively.
8. Communicate results and findings to the research team and stakeholders.
9. Assist in the preparation of presentations or manuscripts for publication.
10. Maintaining up-to-date skills and knowledge of statistical methods that are of relevance to randomized trials.
11. Contributing to peer-reviewed publications and other outputs, including as lead author.
12. Developing and implementing innovative and novel approaches to statistical analysis for both cohort and non-cohort data.
13. Undertaking data cleaning and analyses with precise replicable documentation of analysis code.

Essential Criteria:

1. MSc (preferably a PhD) in epidemiology, statistics, demography, or other relevant quantitative science.
2. Experience of applying quantitative research methods to studies.
3. Experience of analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal data sets using standard software packages (e.g., Stata or R)
4. Possess knowledge of research methods in epidemiology and statistics.
5. Proven ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively as part of a research team, and proven ability

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience of writing papers for peer-reviewed journals and literature searching and review.
2. Some experience of contributing to research grant applications.
3. Experience as lead-author of research published in peer-reviewed journals.
4. Experience of working as a statistician in developing countries.
5. A good understanding of research cohort studies in developing countries.
6. Experience of working with governments, NGOs and/or researchers in one or more of the settings for this project