Research Assistant at Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI) – Ekiti State

The Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI) is recruiting a Research Assistant to support implementation research on how newborn health interventions are adopted, delivered and sustained within routine health systems. The role provides technical and administrative support across research studies, from literature reviews and data collection to analysis, documentation and dissemination.

The Research Assistant will work with the Implementation Research and Learning Lead, the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team, the Programme Manager and technical teams to deliver research activities in line with approved protocols, maintain data quality and document findings clearly and on time.

Key responsibilities

Research support and literature review

• Conduct literature searches and evidence reviews to inform research questions, protocols and study design.
• Support the preparation of research protocols, data-collection tools and consent materials under the guidance of the Implementation Research and Learning Lead.
• Assist with ethical review submissions, maintain approval records, and update study workplans, timelines and research trackers.

Data collection and field research

• Conduct and support interviews, focus group discussions, observations and record reviews at health facilities and project sites.
• Administer data-collection tools accurately and in line with approved protocols and ethical standards.
• Coordinate field schedules and access with the MEL team, facility staff and State-level teams, and maintain field notes, participant records and data-collection logs.

Data management and analysis

• Input, clean, analyse and organise quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate tools.
• Carry out routine data-quality checks and flag discrepancies for correction.
• Support descriptive analysis, transcription and qualitative coding under the guidance of the Implementation Research and Learning Lead.
• Maintain secure datasets, codebooks, data dictionaries and audit trails.

Research documentation, ethics and coordination

• Support drafts of reports, manuscripts, abstracts, evidence summaries and policy briefs, and prepare presentations, tables and figures for learning reviews and stakeholder engagements.
• Maintain reference libraries and the Centre’s evidence repository, documenting implementation barriers, enablers and lessons from the field.
• Follow research ethics, informed consent, confidentiality, data-protection requirements, approved protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Coordinate data-collection and meeting logistics, prepare notes and action trackers, and support research progress updates and expenditure records.

Qualifications and requirements

• MBBS or a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Public Health, Statistics or a related field.
• A postgraduate degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Implementation Science or a related field is an added advantage.
• At least two years of post-qualification experience. Experience supporting research studies, data collection, data management and documentation is an advantage.
• Co-authorship of publications, abstracts or technical reports, and experience in newborn, maternal and child health, quality improvement or simulation-based training, are advantages.
• Good knowledge of implementation research and research methods, with strong data-analysis, data-management, scientific-writing and presentation skills.
• Understanding of research ethics, informed consent, confidentiality and data protection.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and reference-management tools. Familiarity with DHIS2, KoboCollect, ODK or SurveyCTO is an advantage.
• Strong organisation, attention to detail, integrity, accountability and confidentiality, with the ability to work independently under guidance and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to travel within Ekiti State and to other locations as required.

Reporting and working arrangements

The role reports to the Implementation Research and Learning Lead and works closely with the MEL team, Programme Manager, State-level staff, health facilities and partner institutions. It combines office-based research support and analysis with field visits. Additional hours may occasionally be required during data collection, manuscript preparation and reporting periods.

The Research Assistant carries out assigned activities within approved protocols, workplans and budgets. Study design, protocol changes, external publication or sharing of findings, and commitments on behalf of CeNHRI remain subject to approval by the appropriate lead.