Research Officer 2

About The George Institute

The George Institute for Global Health was established in 1999 with a mission to improve the health of millions of people worldwide, particularly underserved populations, by challenging the status quo and using innovative approaches to prevent and treat the world’s biggest killers: non-communicable diseases and injury.

With offices in Australia, China, India and the UK, our 700+ people support 245+ active projects and clinical trials across 50+ countries, with 400+ more staff across our social enterprises. We focus on the global health challenges that cause the greatest loss of life, the greatest impairment of life quality and the most substantial economic burden, particularly in resource-poor settings.

Together with our academic partners, UNSW Sydney in Australia, Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India and Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, we work with a global network of collaborators, undertaking clinical, population and health systems research.

Our experts are among the most cited globally, bestowed accolades for excellence and innovation, and regularly participate in policy fora. Our research is published in leading academic journals, referenced in policy documents, and recognised for its excellence, innovation and impact. We are designated a WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC) for Injury Prevention & Trauma Care, and a WHO CC for Population Salt Reduction. Since 1999, we have raised more than $1 billion for research and produced over 10,000 peer-reviewed publications and other academic outputs.

What we do

• Lead world-class, large-scale clinical trials, epidemiological studies and health systems research to transform treatments and healthcare delivery
• Look beyond single diseases, across the life course, to identify patient-centred approaches to care that can be implemented at scale
• Develop low-cost, innovative solutions to global unmet needs
• Drive our global impact through a program of research, advocacy, thought leadership and disruptive social entrepreneurship

For more information about The George Institute, visit www.georgeinstitute.org.

The George Institute India

The George Institute, a wholly owned legal not-for-profit Indian research institute, has been conducting research related activities in India since 2002. The George Institute India’s mission mirrors that of the parent organization, namely the discovery and implementation of solutions to chronic and disabling health problems through research, policy development and capacity building.

A number of large-scale projects in population, health systems and clinical research, funded by a diverse group of sponsors, both public and private, are conducted in India. The George Institute India comprises two distinct operating groups: Research and Development, and Infrastructure and Resources. It has two separate offices - in Hyderabad and New Delhi, where the research staff and senior management are based.

Context and Role

TGI has recently received Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) funding for a multi-centric study titled “Development and evaluation of effectiveness of improved take home foods in combination with behaviour change intervention to improve nutritional status in children in selected districts of six states of India: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (Acronym: The NECCTAR trial)”. This study proposes to develop, implement and evaluate an intervention package of improved Take Home Ration (THR) of better nutritional quality, acceptance and utilization, integrated with a socio-culturally appropriate Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) strategy to improve the nutritional status in children (6 to 36 months) in selected sites in 6 states in India. The intervention (targeted at children aged 6 to 36 months and their caretakers/community) aims to improve the nutritional status with increase in height-for-age z (WAZ) scores by at least 0.3 SD after 18 months of usage. The study will be conducted in three phases. Phase 1 includes a formative research to understand the current status of the existing THR and SBCC strategy (as part of the supplementary feeding program under ICDS) and challenges around their uptake and implementation. A desk review will be done to understand current policies, provisions and logistics around the THR program and effective theories and models on SBCC for infant and young child feeding (IYCF). Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected simultaneously to generate detailed logistics, training and infrastructure needs, gaps around program implementation, socio-demographic and environmental determinants of nutritional status in children, followed by state and district specific optimized modifications in THR and SBCC strategies. Phase 2 will be focused on developing and piloting evidence-based, participatory-driven and contextual intervention packages that combine effective nutritional intervention (improved THRs) with behaviour modifying strategies. Phase 3 of the study will evaluate the effectiveness of the evidence supported, responsive and sustainable THR-SBCC intervention package in comparison to the existing THR and SBCC strategy on change in WAZ scores from baseline. The study site for TGI will be Meghalaya (North-East zone).

The Research Officer 2 will be responsible for supporting Research Officer/team in planning, and implementation of research activities.

Reporting Relationships

Directly reports to Dr Suparna Ghosh-Jerath Head-Nutrition,TGI)

Supports and manages a team of field supervisors and field workers.

Duties and Key Responsibilities

The Research Officer 2 would be expected to:

• Support desk review on composition, nutritional labelling and resource allocation of take home ration (THR) and identify success stories and SBCC methodologies on improving complementary feeding practices and THR utilization to inform the intervention design.
• Support in developing study tools and manual of procedures.
• Support in qualitative and quantitative data collection, data analysis and report writing.
• Support the team in developing evidence-based recommendations to inform the development of a state and district-specific intervention package of improved THR and a behavioural change communication strategy for promoting optimal complementary feeding practices.
• Support in developing, adapt and evaluate the intervention package of improved THR and SBCC strategy to promote optimal IYCF in children of 6-23 months age group.

The Research Officer 2 should also:

• Support in connecting with policy makers, program implementers, civil society organizations, development partners, local NGO, community members and influencers (Sarpanch, SHGs, religious leader etc.)
• Support in coordinating with the internal team and team of Co-PIs to collate essential information for smooth initiation of the project

As a Team Member:

• Participate in workshops and team meetings
• Supervise the field staff for smooth implementation of the project
• 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.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• First Class Post Graduate Degree in Food and Nutrition, including the integrated PG degrees, or
• Second Class Post Graduate Degree in Food and Nutrition/ relevant subject, including the integrated PG degrees, with PhD in Food and Nutrition/ relevant subject

• Experience of field coordination, strong writing skills for preparing reports and manuscripts
• Demonstrated capability to produce outcomes and achieve objectives within agreed time periods;
• Strong focus on producing the highest quality of work and on ensuring optimum accuracy of outputs;
• Well organised and efficient, with the capacity to work under pressure.

For more details, please see the Position Description for this role.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should send their resume with full contact details, current and expected CTC/salary. Clearly mentioning the job title “Research Officer 2” in the subject line to hrindia@georgeinstitute.org.in by the 30^th September 2024.

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.