Research and Technical Communication Specialist at Heartland Alliance International


Heartland Alliance International (HAI) is the youngest and fastest growing part of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, a family of organizations that has been leading anti-poverty and social justice work in Chicago for more than 125 years. HAI is comprised of nearly a dozen country offices implementing programs on a broad range of human rights issues globally, as well as the Chicago-based Marjorie Kovler Center for the Treatment of Survivors of Torture, which serves individuals from more than 50 countries. 

HAI has significant expertise in the fields of trauma-informed mental health care and access to justice for survivors of rights abuses. It is also an industry leader in access to high-quality and stigma-free health care. Across all of its programs, HAI promotes progressive, innovative approaches to human rights protections and gender equality.

We are recruiting to fill the position of: 

Job Position: Research and Technical Communication Specialist 

Req ID: 4210
Job Location: Abuja, FCT
Reports to: Deputy Chief of Party
Position type: Full time
Contract duration: Open ended

Position Summary

  • Heartland Alliance International is currently seeking a Research and Communications Specialist for the Nigeria office to support the “Integrated Most at-risk populations HIV/AIDS Prevention Program” (IMHIPP). IMHIPP includes HIV prevention and treatment of AIDS and other healthcare services in seven states with over 100 staff and a project budget of over $29 million. IMHIPP uses human rights based approach to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on key affected populations (KAP) and their partners.
  • The project focuses on providing targeted, high-quality HIV prevention, sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis and management, HIV testing services (HTS), treatment for AIDS, and other related activities.
  • The Research and Communications Specialist will work closely with the Strategic Information and Knowledge Management (SKM) unit and the HAI technical team. S/he will support and manage the implementation of operational research studies as well as the creation of external-facing technical communication materials to capture best practices and lessons learned from HAI Nigeria HIV and AIDS prevention, care, and treatment program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Liaise with participants and in-country staff to document program models, success stories, and lessons learned to share with internal and external audiences.
  • Assist with the creation of any and all forms, templates, and other documents related to operational research projects.
  • In partnership with the SKM unit, ensure adherence to any research data collection protocols that fall outside of normal project monitoring activities. As needed, train, monitor, and audit staff on research protocols for data collection and data quality.
  • Assist with the creation and piloting of any quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments, prepare written reports with feedback and analysis on the piloting and fielding of instruments, and manage translation if needed.
  • Analyze quantitative and qualitative data collected as part of program monitoring and/or stand-alone research projects.
  • Oversee human subjects approval applications for all research and ensure that studies adhere to IRB requirements, including staff training requirements.
  • Prepare research reports, abstracts, and presentations based on evidence collected through HAI projects.
  • With guidance from the Global Senior Communication Program Officer, use qualitative and quantitative program data to draft content for website, newsletters, print publications, social media channels, original content, and other outlets that help HAI engage with relevant communities and supporters.
  • Coordinates with HQ to adapt HAI’s communication strategy and supports its implementation within the Nigeria program across all projects.
  • Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Requirements

  • To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or competency required.
  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

  • Minimum of two years’ international experience in humanitarian relief, development and/or human rights work. Experience must include;
  • Lead or primary writer on qualitative and quantitative data analysis, including policy papers, research projects,
  • Master’s degree preferred in social sciences or related field

Technical Skills:

  • Experience working on research projects in low-resource countries, including managing data collection and data management systems.

Oral Communication:

  • Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
  • Effectively communicate utilizing a variety of technologies such as phone or video phone (i.e. Skype).
  • Effectively communicate with non-native English speakers; Effectively communicate with non-English speakers.

Other Competencies:

  • Time Management - Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time and complete projects in a fast-paced, changing environment with minimal supervision.
  • Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
  • Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data
  • Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively;
  • Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events
  • Cultural Sensitivity - Respects cultural environment in which person is working and does not act in a manner that is outwardly offensive to the local community.

Language Skills: 

  • Excellent oral and written English communication skills

Computer Skills:

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems
  • High proficiency in Excel, SPSS, or another statistical analysis software
  • Other software routinely used by Heartland Alliance

Physical Demands:

  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment:

  • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
  • The employee may be required to remain on Organization premises during breaks and/or meal periods and may be required to stay on Organization premises until their replacement arrives.
  • The employee is required to travel regularly to often insecure and limited-resource


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