Vacancy Announcement (Re-advertised) : Program Support & Investigation Officer (PhD candidate)

Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR), is a professional organization working in the field of leprosy and disability in 16 leprosy endemic countries. Each year, around 219..000 people globally are diagnosed with leprosy. Indonesia ranks number 3, with relatively high disability rates. NLR, with its International Office in Amsterdam, has been supporting projects in Indonesia since 1967. The main partner of NLR Indonesia is the Ministry of Health (MoH) and activities are aligned to MoH policies and priorities. At provincial level, the Leprosy Control Program Technical Advisors (LCTAs) are strengthening the capacity of the provincial and districs government’s health staff to improve the quality of leprosy services. Next to supporting leprosy control, NLR Indonesia’s Inclusion and Disability program aims to support and advance holistic, community-based rehabilitation and sustainable inclusive development for persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities and people affected by leprosy.

PEP++ Project

Chemoprophylaxis e.g. single-dose of rifampicin (SDR) have been shown to be effective as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in contacts of leprosy patients. It is expected to be sufficiently bactericidal to treat people with subclinical leprosy infection. It is not found to be very effective in close contacs hence an effective additional strategy is screening of contacs of new cases using an immunological screening test and giving those testing positive an enhanced prophylaxis with two antibiotics and the intervention is known as PEP++, while the others whor are not positive receive a single dose of rifampicin.

Start on 2017, NLR will implement the PEP++ in 3 highest leprosy endemic countries (India, Brazil and Indonesia). In Indonesia, the five-years project will be implemented in two districs of East Java. Our dream is to stop  transmission of leprosy with objectives are to achieve early detection and preventive treatment of leprosy-infected people before symtoms appear, to provide and to disseminate evidence of the effectiveness of the Stop Transmission approach to relevant stakeholders.

We are looking for the full-time position of :

Program Support & Investigation Officer

(PhD students in Brazil, India and Indonesia; part-time students in Amsterdam)

The PEP++ Program Support & Investigation Officer will carry out his or her own research needed to fulfil the criteria for a PhD at the Erasmus Medical Centre (ErMC). The details of the research tasks will vary for each PhD topic. S/he reports to the PEP++ Project Coordinator. S/he assists the PEP++ Project Coordinator in coordinating all field research of the PEP++ research project. S/he liaises with the Academic Supervisor (promotor) and co-promotor at ErMC, and with the Principal Investigator in his/her own country. S/he also liaises with the PEP++ PhD candidates based elsewhere regarding the division of research tasks, data collection and management.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in the project implementation.
• Liaise closely with the partner organisation(s)/departments through whom the project is carried out.
• Prepare annual plans for own (PhD) activities in the PEP++ Project.
• Prepare annual budgets for own (PhD) activities in the PEP++ Project.
• Arrange monthly scientific monitoring meetings with the field staff..
• Write and submit quarterly progress reports and an annual progress report on own work to the Project Coordinator and PhD supervisors.
• Guide and help supervise PEP++ field staff in technical aspects of their work during regular field visits.
• Carry out own field research.
• Assist in and monitor the data collection in the project areas and to assist in maintaining the database (including regular backups) in liaison with the local health authorities and ErMC.
• Write scientific papers and give presentations about the PEP++ project.
• Carry out research duties while spending time in the Netherlands each year.
• Help translate any technical documents from English to the national language or vice versa, as relevant..
• Take part in national workshops related to the project.
• Assist in the training of PEP++ Project field staff.
• Offer on-the-job training in research methods as necessary.
• Facilitate networking with other organisations working with leprosy in the country.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Project Coordinator.

Key Requirements

• Master in relevant field (MPH, MSc) with minimum 5 (five) years experiences in research and demonstrable health program/project management.
• Proven experience in operational research.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data.
• Good facilitator, motivator, and problem solver..
• Sensitivity for intercultural differences.
• Good communication skills.
• Willingness for frequent travels.
• Proficient in written and spoken English is essential.
• Computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, internet, Epi-info, SPSS, etc.).

How to Apply

Application letter together with updated CV and reference letters should be submitted via email to: recruitment@nlrindonesia.or.id

Closing date is 16 November 2018 or until the vacancy has been filled.

However application will be screened immediately upon reaching the above email address. 

The qualified candidate will be contacted for requirement process accordingly.

NLR Indonesia values diversity and inclusion and encourages all qualified people to apply, regardless of religion, race, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

www.nlrindonesia.or.id