Introduction:
Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous, and self-governing international university with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries distributed across three continents. As an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research pertinent to the countries in which it exists and has campuses, programs and/or teaching hospitals in Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the UK. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access; and AKU is a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change.
As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.
This is grant based position with a close ended contract based in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Job Roles/Responsibilities:
The Research Associate (RA) will support the successful implementation of the "Sample Registration System (SRS) Planning Support with NIH Pakistan" project. Working closely with the Research Specialist and faculty members, the RA will assist in organizing project data, conducting literature reviews, and developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and a Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework. The RA will also contribute to process evaluation, ensuring adherence to project guidelines and quality standards.
This role includes logistical and administrative support for project activities such as stakeholder meetings, workshops, and data collection efforts. Additionally, the RA will help coordinate stakeholder communication, prepare project documentation, and track follow-ups on key tasks. By ensuring seamless project execution, the RA will play a vital role in achieving the project's objectives.
They will be responsible to:
- assist faculty and project lead in drafting and refining SOPs and manuals for mortality data collection, aligned with international best practices and local needs
- support in the adaptation and contextualization of WHO Verbal Autopsy (VA) tools for digital reporting systems
- conduct literature reviews and consult experts to ensure SOPs incorporate scientific rigor and feasibility in Pakistan’s health system
- assist in designing and implementing a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework to track SRS pilot progress and identify gaps in implementation
- support in real-time monitoring activities, ensuring quality control and consistency in data collection processes
- contribute to training sessions for field staff, ensuring they understand and adhere to standardized data collection protocols
- assist in conducting process evaluations to monitor adherence to SOPs, identify operational bottlenecks, and suggest improvements
- support qualitative and quantitative data collection for evaluation purposes
- prepare preliminary reports on lessons learned and recommendations for continuous improvement
- assist in developing materials for stakeholder engagement, including presentations, reports, and briefing documents
- support faculty in facilitating discussions with NIH, international experts, and local stakeholders
- maintain communication records and coordinate logistics for stakeholder meetings and workshops
- support in organizing, cleaning, and managing mortality surveillance data for analysis
- assist in preparing initial summaries, dashboards, and reports for internal and external stakeholders
- work with faculty to refine data management processes to align with best practices in mortality surveillance
Requirements:
You must have:
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from a well-reputed local or international university
- one year of relevant experience in health research, M&E, or mortality surveillance is preferred
- understanding data-driven research studies, along with familiarity with data management and analysis, is preferred
- familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methods
- basic understanding of project coordination and management in healthcare or educational initiatives
- foundational skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, with introductory experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods
- familiarity with data collection techniques, including surveys and other research designs, relevant to healthcare and medical education
- exposure to research tools such as NVIVO, Redcap, or SPSS, with a willingness to learn and apply them
- strong writing and communication skills in English, including the ability to draft formal correspondence, presentations, and reports
- capacity to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and teams locally and internationally
- organized, detail-oriented, and skilled in managing multiple tasks simultaneously
Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.
