Research Assistant

About The George Institute

We are a medical research institute affiliated with leading universities aiming to challenge the status quo in health care. With 700+ people around the world, and projects in over 40 countries, our Strategy 2025 is all about impact – specifically, the impact of The George Institute’s activities on the health of millions of people, particularly those living in disadvantaged circumstances around the world.

Context and Role

The Research Assistant is expected to be passionately committed to health equity and systems strengthening, with experience handing ethnographic, participatory and other forms of in depth qualitative research. The position requires strong team-based skills working across multiple sites, while also requiring motivation and an ability to work autonomously with quick turnaround times on deliverables. The appointee must be based in Kerala and be willing and able to undertake extensive local travel. The appointment is for a period of 12 months with the possibility of an extension on follow-up projects.

Reporting Relationships

The Program Manager will have a direct reporting line to the Program Head- Health Systems & Equity of the George Institute for Global Health, India.

Duties and Key Responsibilities

S/he will need to support the component of inequality mechanism assessment for this study, including developing a conceptual framework, putting together an IRB application, developing and pilot testing tools in consultation with Kerala partners, carrying out focus group discussions, participatory health assessments, and in depth interviews with a range of participants in their language of preference. The conduct and reporting of these analyses and coordination with the Quantitative Research Fellow for further refinement of analyses. In addition, s/he will support the design and refinement of a data visualisation tool to report this data, coordinate continuous interaction and collaboration with state department and other partners in Kerala, while also ensuring peer dissemination and public engagement related to this project. Organising workshops, meetings and events related to this project, particularly the component related to magnitudes of inequalities, shall be in the purview of the Research Fellow. Further, s/he will assist with any additional activities relevant to the project, as delegated by the Program Head.

As a Team Member: 

• Participate in team meetings and activities relating to the project and own work area;
• Participate in special projects to improve processes, tools, systems and organisation;
• Take responsibility for personal learning and development and for setting achievable and meaningful work objectives and managing personal targets, meeting obligations of the Institute’s Performance Management and Development Policy;
• Demonstrate commitment to GI’s values, including performing to an exceptionally high ethical standard and focus on integrity, collaboration and teamwork in all efforts.

Work, Health and Safety

• Comply with GI’s Work Health and Safety Policy and related procedures, and similar policies which apply when visiting the premises of affiliates and collaborating sites.
• Promote and contribute to a safe, secure environment for staff and visitors.
• Ensure direct reports understand and comply with safe work practice and procedures

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Appropriate postgraduate qualification in sociology, anthropology, development studies or a related subject in one of the disciplines of public health
• Experience working with highly vulnerable population subgroups and/or health providers and policymakers
• Experience working closely with state government, with a preference for the southern states of India, especially Kerala
• Passion for and demonstrated experience in the field of public health
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams, managing relationships with external partners and engaging senior stakeholders, including those in government
• Experience writing for publication in peer- reviewed journals would be an advantage, as would experience in developing funding applications
• Availability and willingness to undertake extensive local travel in Delhi and Kerala
• Native fluency in both written and spoken Malayalam is a must

General

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well independently and in multiple teams
• Ability to see the big picture, yet still focus on detail
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in the face of changing organisational priorities and ambiguous environments.
• Strong focus on quality of work

Reporting To: Program Head – Health Systems & Equity

Location: Kerala, India

How to apply:

Interested candidates should send their resume along with cover letter, full contact details, current and expected CTC and duration of notice period. Clearly mentioning the job title Research Assistant in the subject line to hrindia@georgeinstitute.org.in by the 31-Dec-2021

Our big and bold mission to improve the health of millions of people worldwide needs a diverse and innovative team to deliver it.  So, we foster a dynamic, inclusive and flexible workplace where each individual can bring their best selves to work.
 
Everyone is encouraged to apply, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with a disability, people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, and mature-aged adults.