DATA MANAGER

DATA MANAGER

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Possible is a collaboration that develops and tests innovations to improve health in Nepal by directly responding to local concerns, while drawing from and contributing to the broader disciplines of global health research, practice, and policy. Our partnership is between an independent Nepal-based non-governmental organization and a US-based non-profit. Possible envisions a world where everyone, everywhere has access to high-quality healthcare rooted in evidence, inclusion, and equity. As such, we engage in rigorous and collaborative research and innovation to address evidence, implementation, and policy gaps in the equity, quality, and accessibility of healthcare. Our research endeavors and partnerships aim to address challenges in context and from stated or established needs. Our first commitment is to develop and deploy interventions that improve health (rather than prioritize academic outputs that may be novel and methodologically sound but do not directly improve healthcare). We partner with community-based organizations, public and private sector academic institutions and research organizations to leverage research and evidence to inform and implement innovative solutions to healthcare challenges in Nepal. For the last 16 years, we have been a leader in healthcare innovation in Nepal, conducting implementation research with partnerships spanning several international institutions such as Harvard Medical School, University of California San Francisco, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and University of Washington.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Possible is seeking a Data Manager to lead longitudinal data management and advanced analysis for a community-based stepped-wedge cluster randomized control trial, as well as to strengthen data systems across other research and innovation projects with our partners. The Data Manager will work closely with the research team and advisors to build and operationalize a robust data management ecosystem that meets Possible’s internal standards and data requirements of the National Institutes of Health. The ideal candidate will be committed to Possible’s mission, vision, and values.

Reports to: Principal Investigator/ Study managers/ Associate Scientist

Direct Reports: Data Analyst/officer

Working closely with: Possible team, advisors, and partners

Location: Kathmandu with 30-40% travel to the intervention sites

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Data Manager will work closely with the research team advisors, partners and relevant stakeholders to be chiefly responsible for the following areas of work:

1. Strengthen and operationalize data collection, management, and analysis plans to evaluate intervention and implementation research protocols, including all data processes, analysis, and manuscript write-up.

• Serve as the primary contact for quantitative study design and data management systems for intervention and implementation research at Possible.
• Lead data extraction, cleaning, and processing of complex longitudinal datasets from community-based stepped cluster randomized control trials
• Develop and strengthen comprehensive data analysis plans based on implementation research protocols.
• Oversee field logistics for data collection, quality checks, and validation, both pre- and post-intervention.
• Coordinate and collaborate with multiple partners, including government stakeholders as required, for data collection and extraction.
• Work closely with Biostatisticians, Data Analysts, Research Managers, Advisors, and digital partners to coordinate data collection, management, and analysis across projects
• Build and maintain digital data collection platforms for longitudinal studies, including design documentation, team training, and alignment with Possible’s data SOPs.
• Lead integration and transition of data, tools, and templates across systems (e.g., CommCare to Community Health Toolkit, REDCap to OpenMRS).
• Lead implementation of data management and sharing plans, including archiving and storage according to National Institutes of Health requirements
• Conduct all data analysis in STATA to evaluate the effectiveness of community-based behavioral interventions.
• Summarize and interpret results, collaborating with the team to triangulate findings with qualitative analyses and other survey data.
• Ensure ethical conduct of research by establishing mechanisms aligned with protocols approved by institutional review boards.
• Support dissemination of research findings across various platforms and to different audiences.
• Co-lead manuscript preparation for peer-reviewed journals and lay audience articles in local languages based on final analyses and research learnings.

2. Strengthen institutionalization of data collection platforms, quality assurance mechanism through research capacity development of team members and the partners, alongside the maintenance of data repository system on place.

• Lead the discussions with our team and partners to provide an input on identifying the data need of different research projects.
• Co-lead or support team members on designing questionnaires on digital platforms.
• Support in establishing data quality assurance across all the research projects involving but not limited to regular field visits for data quality assessment.
• Travel to project implementation sites to learn, understand, iterate and improve implementation and data quality processes.
• Train and orient program and research team on data collection tools, and data quality and validation measures.
• Support in capacity building of the team members by planning and conducting team orientation on quantitative data handling, working with the team to prepare a data collection and analysis plan; and supporting in triangulating data from different sources including qualitative data.
• Support in capacity building of direct reports on standard procedures for data handling and the process documentation.
• Support in capacity building of the partners and the stakeholders engaged in different research projects on using digital platforms, assuring data quality, data extractions, cleaning and descriptive analysis as per the project M&E plan.
• Ensure that the quantitative data from across the research projects are rightly stored, encrypted and protected in data repository system and update them periodically.
• Lead in strengthening and updating Possible longitudinal data SOPs and subsequently operationalize the defined standards, working together with the research team, advisors and our partners.

3. Support in building Possible's workplace culture and strategic partnership, generating additional resources, revenue, and support multiple projects to advance research and innovation.

• Contribute to translating the findings of the implementation research to research and non-research grants to strengthen our research in support of equitable health access for vulnerable groups.
• Support Possible team and advisors to plan and further research on health access, quality and equity for vulnerable groups.
• Contribute to advancing Possible vision, mission and goals by supporting partners' mapping and strategic engagement for ongoing and upcoming research.
• Contribute to research efforts that advance social justice in Nepal, and globally.
• Support in building organization systems, accountability structures, workplace practice and culture rooted in equity, justice and diversity.
• Participate in internal and external working groups and ad-hoc team meetings to address urgent and emerging needs for organizational growth.
• Contribute to improve our research model, partnership, and organization systems.
• Guide the team to think critically about putting people at the center of our work and research.
• Contribute to maintaining legal, regulatory and governance compliance as required.
• Collaborate with other organizations in Nepal and abroad to jointly expand and strengthen the information system management.
• Lead and support research team, advisors and partners as needed in disseminating quantitative research findings at different national and international platforms.

The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive, and Data Manager may be required to take on additional responsibilities, as determined in discussion with the Multiple Principal investigators or their line managers.

Must Haves:

1. Commitment to Possible’s Values, Mission & Vision.
2. A strong understanding of intervention and implementation research
3. Skilled in managing large and complex longitudinal database, including data collection, management, and advanced analysis using STATA
4. Experience of working on different digital data collection platforms (e.g. REDCap, CommCare, Community Health Toolkit, ODK etc)
5. Ability to work with a diverse team, and a strong motivation and flexibility to travel to urban, semi-urban, and remote areas in Nepal
6. Qualifications: A Master’s degree in a statistics, public health, or related field; at least five years of relevant experience; has at least 1-2 relevant published research articles (preferably as first author); excellent command in written and spoken Nepali and English; Nepali Citizen based in Nepal.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Email CV and cover letter to recruitment@possiblehealth.org When applying please include name and position in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until filled.

If we believe that you and Possible are good potential fit, we will contact you to advance the application process. Please note that due to a large volume of applications, we may not individually respond to your application.