Senior Research Assistant

Our mission is to improve the health of millions of people worldwide.

• Full time Position
• Based in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
• Fixed Term – 01 April 2024 to 31 December 2026

We have an opportunity for your career to make a difference!  We have a new and exciting opportunity for a Senior Research Assistant to join our organization.

 How to apply:
Interested candidates should send their resume with full contact details, current and expected CTC/salary. Clearly mentioning the job title "Senior Research Assistant" in the subject line to hrindia@georgeinstitute.org.in by the 08 March 2024

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 marginalised 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 marginalised 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 Senior 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.

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Reporting Relationships

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

The Senior Research Assistant will report to Dr. Surekha Garimella, Programme Head, Sustainable Health and work closely with the Program Manager

 Duties and Key Responsibilities

The Senior 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 Vijayawada 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 Senior 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 organisations, government officials, community stakeholders and collaborating staff within the consortium and TGI.
• Liaise with the government stakeholders, seek necessary approvals form the concerned departments and also work closely with them.
• Lead and contribute to mobilisation 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.
• Conduct and 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.
• Conduct and contribute to analysis of data.
• Contribute to project ideation, including development of interventions.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and learning documentation and analysis.
• Lead and 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 and maintain 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 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

• • Qualifications: Masters degree in Health/ Social Work/ Economics/Sociology/Anthropology/Political Science/Development/ Public Policy, or related field.
  • Experience: Graduate plus 5 years of experience / Masters plus 1-2 years of experience or more years of research experience, ideally in community settings in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Language capabilities – Ability to read, write, and report in Telugu and English is mandatory.
  • Strong problem solving skills, analytical skills, and strategic thinking.
  • Good organisation and administrative skills and efficiency.
  • Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
  • Ability to work well autonomously, as well as collaborate in small teams.
  • Ability to engage with a wide range of community, organisational, and governance stakeholders.
  • Flexibility and adaptability to changing environments.
  • Facilitation, event management and logistics skills.
  • Strong presentation and communications 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.

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. 

About the George Institute

We are a medical and health 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.

Our strategy focuses on three key research priorities:

• Better Treatments: finding better treatments for the world’s biggest health problems
• Better Care: transforming primary health care to support better health for more people
• Healthier Societies: harnessing the power of communities, governments and markets to improve health

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