Research Assistant IV Non-Lab (Research Specialist, Primary Health Care)

01-May-2024

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

65626BR

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Assistant Director, the Research Specialist will lead and support a variety of health systems research and implementation projects with a high degree of autonomy. The PHC portfolio is experiencing significant growth across our domestic and global health portfolios including U.S. government and philanthropic funding. On the USAID MOMENTUM Knowledge Accelerator Project, the team is supporting USAID to implement the Primary Impact Measurement for Action Framework to capture, interpret, and use subnational data to strengthen local PHC systems. The team is also partnering with a foundation and private primary care provider in East Africa to respond to epidemiological changes in their target client population to transform from a care delivery model providing only urgent care to include chronic care management of non-communicable diseases. The PHC Program is conducting global research to identify and describe how standout health systems are prioritizing and implementing patient-centered and integrated primary care, and is helping study and scale value-based payment models and innovative approaches to service integration and quality improvement. Our work spans research and implementation, and we partner alongside providers, policy makers, funders, patients, and communities to accelerate progress towards high-quality primary health care for all.

The Research Specialist will be a key member of the interdisciplinary PHC team at Ariadne Labs which includes physicians, researchers, and other project personnel. The PHC Research Specialist will work closely with the PHC Assistant Director, Project Managers, and Research and Project Coordinator, as well as the Innovation, Implementation, and Science & Technology Specialists who constitute Ariadne’s Platform teams. They will be an important contributor to and developer of the content and practices for our portfolio of research.

Position Description

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Partner with the Project Manager(s) and Assistant Director to identify priorities and opportunities for rigorous analytical approaches to accomplish project deliverables
• Provide and continuously develop specialized content knowledge and skills to benefit the team and the Ariadne Labs community
• Collaborate with key stakeholders in the decision-making process to obtain information, make the most appropriate decision, and ensure buy-in and understanding of the resulting outcomes
• Identify procedural or process improvement recommendations for achieving team goals or effectively performing team functions
• Design study instruments (e.g., surveys, checklists, etc.) that efficiently and effectively collect appropriate data
• Work with key stakeholders to implement data collection protocols and ensure data quality and integrity
• Advise on whether certain research methods are advisable/feasible given the unique context and understand and interpret quantitative and qualitative data once collected
• Ensure data validity and quality assurance standards are met and document research methods
• Manage ethical approvals including the research protocol, study instruments, and modifications
• Participate in dissemination work including scientific writing of manuscripts, reports, abstracts, and development of project-related presentations, including the possibility of co-authorship on scientific papers
• Coordinate with Ariadne Labs platform scientists to select appropriate methodologies and assemble project components
• Apply complex research ideas, concepts, and methodologies to the design and development of new projects
• Performs other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant work experience is required; a combination of education and experience may be considered

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in a related field of research study
• Masters or equivalent work experience, preferably MPH in a strong plus  
• Experience working in global health policy and research
• Experience working with USAID and multilateral development organizations including the World Health Organization and World Bank strongly preferred 
• Experience working in a matrix organization/environment
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Familiarity with the Google information environment (e.g., Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive, etc.)
• Strong analytical skills, excellent organizational skills, and an attention to detail, including an ability to synthesize large amounts of qualitative and quantitative information
• Strong scientific and non-scientific writing skills
• Experience with IRB submissions are regulatroy compliance
• Familiarity with statistics and research methods as well as competence with basic descriptive statistics and data manipulation
• Familiarity with key health frameworks (e.g., WHO Health System Building Blocks, Primary Health Care Measurement Framework and Indicators) and comfort in applying these frameworks to our work
• Experience with literature searches and scientific writing
• Prior experience with manuscript and/or grant writing and preparation
• Strong critical appraisal skills, quantitative skills, effective communication, and exceptional organizational skills are essential
• Interest in clinical research focused on improving care and reducing suffering
• Demonstrated success in building consensus among a team
• Experience managing or coaching others
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Positive, flexible, professional, and a can-do attitude
• Work well both independently and on a team
• Effectively prioritize issues and use sound judgment to recognize when additional consultation and/or help is needed
• Comfortable working on multiple projects at one time 

• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity

Additional Information

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

Our Primary Health Care (PHC) team is focused on strengthening PHC both within the U.S. and around the world so everyone has access to the high-quality care they deserve. With partnerships in more than 50 countries, we collaborate with frontline providers, policymakers, multilateral organizations, and others to identify and better understand gaps within primary care systems and devise solutions. Leveraging interdisciplinary approaches and deep subject matter and clinical expertise, we advance innovative measurement and improvement strategies, advise on service delivery design and optimization, and implement strategies to introduce and improve population health management practices so that primary care systems make progress towards their potential for delivering high-quality and equitable care for all.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

403126 Research Assistant IV Non-Lab

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values , our Principles of Citizenship , and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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