Consultant-Health Research Expert

RTI International is an independent organization dedicated to conducting innovative, multidisciplinary research that improves the human condition. Please visit our website at www.rti.org/globalhealth for more information on our work in global health.

RTI International is seeking Consultant-Health Research Expert for “Strengthening the Research Network and Knowledge Management Capacity of NHRC” with support from the USAID-Health for Life (H4L) Project.  Health for Life (H4L) is a five-year (2012-2017) project financed by USAID. The primary goal of H4L is to support strengthen the Government of Nepal’s capacity to plan, manage and deliver high quality and equitable family planning, maternal, new-born and child health services. H4L works in partnership with the Government of Nepal/Ministry of Health and Population. In addition to the national focus, it works in 14 districts in the Mid-western (12) and Western (2) Development Regions.

While there has been wide range of research and surveys carried out in Nepal, the system that collects, manages and makes accessible research findings to a wide range of users both in country and abroad is not sufficiently equipped. NHRC is a national apex body under the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), which has the mandate to develop the national health research agenda through needs assessments and development of strategies and priorities, and to strengthen networking, coordination, and information systems to support health research in Nepal.

H4L aims to support development and implementation of national evidence-based health policy in Nepal. To achieve this objective, H4L adopts a two pronged strategy; one to strengthen the routine health management information system (HMIS) of the MoHP and provide technical assistance and support to NHRC to strengthen their research network and knowledge management.  To pursue this objective, H4L and NHRC signed an MOU on 16 July 2014 detailing the roles and responsibilities of each party. It is expected that NHRC will be able to store, categorize, and disseminate health-related studies, journals, and research and assessment reports on its web-portal, and also contribute to generating evidence for NHSP-III; and strengthen their network with other research organizations in Nepal leading to significant research activities in the future. The consultant will be based at NHRC. The consultant will work in collaboration with an assigned focal person at NHRC and with H4L staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess NHRC’s web-portal, web-based proposal review system and hub, and further develop the applications and operational requirements
• Collect all relevant health research, studies, evaluations and policy documents as agreed between NHRC and H4L
• Categorize the documents, with abstracts to establish a searchable database
• Draft a user’s guide for end users
• Conduct a national workshop on preparing a dissemination strategy for health research information
• Prepare an operational guideline for promoting linkages and networking with other research organizations
• Train NHRC staff members on knowledge management methods and practices; including library science practical training for the NHRC librarian (such as National Library of Medicine cataloguing and literature review methods)
• Submit a final report with recommendations for the future

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• MPH or similar degree with at least 5 years of experience in managing health research and developing database systems
• Experience in conducting health research and policy/strategy development
• Experience working with the MoHP and NHRC preferred
• Evidence of creativity, self-motivation and working well in a team

To Apply: Interested and qualified applicants should email cover letter specifying daily or monthly rate and recent resume at marora@np-h4l.rti.org. Deadline is 5 April 2015; however, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Note: The consultancy will not exceed over four months spread over the period of six months effective from the date of contract.