Research Assistant

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

The research study titled Urban SHADE: Strengthening Health Access and Delivery for Extreme weather events aims to improve the preparedness of health services to respond to the needs of the poorest and most marginalized urban residents before, during and after extreme weather events (EWEs) in two locations in India. Marginalized urban people are exposed to EWEs due to where they live and how they work and are vulnerable to impacts on health and wellbeing due to poor access to services. Access to quality formal healthcare in marginalized urban settings is often limited, especially for certain people such as the elderly and persons with disabilities. Health services are therefore provided by a complex system of formal and informal providers. In extreme weather events, health service delivery is often non-existent, inaccessible, or unaffordable. We will work in equitable partnership with marginalized urban communities and health systems in Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh throughout the research process, where we have longstanding partnerships delivering research and action for improved health and wellbeing.

This is a fulltime position, and the Research Assistant is expected to contribute to the implementation of the study and support fostering of relationships and collaborations with stakeholders and ensure that all project deliverables are met.

Reporting Relationships

This position directly reports to the PI of the project who is a Program Head - Sustainable Health located in the George Institute’s Delhi office. The Research Assistant will also be expected to liaise closely with communities, community-based organizations, government officials and other stakeholders whom the PI deems relevant to the project.

The Research Assistant will report to Program Head - Sustainable Health, TGI and work closely with the Program Manager and other team members.

Duties and Key Responsibilities

The Research Assistant role will contribute to all aspects of Urban SHADE. S/he is expected to work closely with the team members placed across the sites. S/he will be based in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh and should be willing and able to undertake domestic and international travel, as and when required. The appointment is till the end of the project.

The Research Assistant would be expected to:

• Contribute to all aspects of the project in collaboration with the research team to ensure that the scope and direction of the project is implemented on schedule.
• Build and maintain key stakeholder relationships with partner organizations, government officials, community stakeholders and collaborating staff within the consortium and TGI.
• Lead and contribute to mobilization of communities, government officials and other stakeholders to co-design, co-implement, and co-evaluate project activities including interventions, and facilitate periodic meetings.
• Facilitate periodic meetings among stakeholders and lead/contribute to building platforms to build stakeholders together.
• Assist in the development of study related documents, including reports, newsletters, peer reviewed publications, presentations etc.
• Contribute to collection of data, including primary quantitative and qualitative data, and reviews of literature and policies and any other decided during the course of the project.
• Transcribe interview data and other audio/ visual material, as required.
• Contribute to analysis of data.
• Contribute to development of project outputs, including audio visual outputs, academic and non-academic outputs, outputs in vernacular languages, communication outputs, training manuals and others as required by the project.
• Contribute to local, national and international meetings of relevance to the area of research expertise and develop working partnerships within relevant research networks.

As a Team Member:

• Participate in team meetings and activities relating to the institute as a whole and the project.
• Participate in special projects to improve processes, tools, systems and organization.
• 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

• Qualifications: Master’s degree in health/social work/ economics/ Sociology/ Anthropology/ Political Science/ Development/ Public Policy, or related field.
• Experience: Graduate plus 3 years of experience / Master’s plus 2 years of experience or more years of research experience, ideally in community settings in Himachal Pradesh.
• Language capabilities – Ability to read, write, speak and report in English and Hindi is mandatory.
• Strong problem-solving skills, analytical skills, and strategic thinking.
• Good organization and administrative skills and efficiency.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Ability to collaborate in small teams.
• Ability to engage with a wide range of community, organizational, and governance stakeholders.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing environments.
• Facilitation, event management and logistics skills.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, managing relationships with external partners, and engaging with internal stakeholders.
• Strong commitment and skills to working in collaboration and partnership with communities.
• Background and expertise in health research and/or health policy is desirable.

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 Assistant – Urban SHADE> in the subject line to hrindia@georgeinstitute.org.in by 07 February 2025.

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.