The Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI) is Nigeria’s first dedicated institution focused on newborn health research, simulation-based clinical training, and evidence-driven policy engagement.
We are recruiting suitable candidates to fill the position below:
Job Title: Research Assistant
Location: Ekiti
Purpose of the Role
The Research Assistant will support the design, execution and documentation of CeNHRI’s implementation research, helping to generate rigorous, context-specific evidence on how newborn health interventions, are adopted, delivered and sustained within routine health systems. The role provides day-to-day technical and administrative support to research studies, from literature review and data collection through to analysis, documentation and dissemination.
The Research Assistant will work closely with the Implementation Research and Learning Lead, the MEL team and the Programme Manager and technical teams to ensure that research activities are delivered to protocol, that data is of high quality, and that findings are documented clearly and shared in a timely manner.
The role requires strong attention to detail, research and analytical skills, and a commitment to research ethics and data integrity, with the ability to work independently within defined guidance and to support research activities across multiple sites.
Scope of the Role The role covers:
Research Support and Literature Review: Supporting the development of research protocols, tools and evidence reviews.
Data Collection and Field Research: Conducting and supporting data collection across project sites in line with approved protocols.
Data Management and Analysis Support: Cleaning, organizing and supporting the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
Research Documentation and Knowledge Products: Supporting the preparation of reports, manuscripts, abstracts, briefs and presentations.
Ethics, Quality and Compliance: Supporting compliance with research ethics, data protection and protocol requirements.
Coordination and Administrative Support: Coordinating research logistics, schedules and records.
Authority The Research Assistant is authorized to:
Carry out assigned research activities within approved protocols, workplans and budgets.
Collect, compile and organize research data from approved sources, in line with data governance requirements.
Request programme, MEL and facility-level information required for assigned research activities, through the Implementation Research and Learning Lead.
Flag protocol deviations, data quality issues and ethical concerns for the attention of the Implementation Research and Learning Lead.
Support learning reviews, feedback sessions and research meetings and document agreed actions.
Escalate unresolved research, data or field-level issues to the Implementation Research and Learning Lead.
Note: The Research Assistant does not independently design studies, approve protocol changes, publish or share findings externally, or make commitments on behalf of the CeNHRI. Matters requiring approval are escalated to the Implementation Research and Learning Lead.
Key Responsibilities Research Support and Literature Review:
Conduct literature searches and evidence reviews to inform research questions, protocols and study design.
Support the development of research protocols, data collection tools and consent materials under the guidance of the Implementation Research and Learning Lead.
Support the preparation of ethical review submissions and maintain records of approvals.
Maintain study workplans, timelines and research trackers.
Deliverables:
Literature reviews and evidence summaries.
Draft protocols, tools and consent materials.
Ethical review submission documents.
Updated research trackers.
Data Collection and Field Research:
Conduct and support data collection at health facilities and project sites, including interviews, focus group discussions, observations and record reviews.
Administer data collection tools accurately and in line with approved protocols and ethical standards.
Coordinate with the MEL team, facility staff and State-level teams on field schedules and access.
Maintain field notes, participant records and data collection logs.
Deliverables
Completed data collection forms and field notes.
Field activity schedules and logs.
Field visit reports.
Data Management and Analysis Support:
Input, clean, analyze and organize quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate data tools.
Conduct routine data quality checks and flag data discrepancies and inconsistencies for correction.
Support descriptive analysis, transcription and coding of qualitative data under the guidance of the Implementation Research and Learning Lead.
Maintain secure, well-organized datasets, codebooks and audit trails.
Cleaned and documented datasets.
Data quality check reports.
Analysis outputs, tables and summaries.
Codebooks and data dictionaries.
Research Documentation and Knowledge Products:
Support the drafting of research reports, manuscripts, abstracts, evidence summaries and policy briefs.
Prepare presentations, tables and figures for learning reviews, conferences and stakeholder engagements.
Maintain reference libraries and contribute to the Centre’s evidence repository.
Document implementation barriers, enablers and lessons observed in the field.
Draft report, manuscript and abstract.
Presentations and visual summaries.
Updated reference library and repository entries.
Documented implementation lessons.
Ethics, Quality and Compliance:
Adhere to research ethics, informed consent, confidentiality and data protection requirements.
Follow approved protocols, standard operating procedures and guidelines promptly.
Document and save research records and data securely in line with Centre policies.
Compliance and deviation logs.
Organized research files and consent records.
Coordination and Administrative Support:
Coordinate logistics for data collection, learning reviews, trainings and research meetings.
Prepare meeting notes and track agreed action points.
Provide inputs to research and learning updates for the Implementation Research and Learning Lead.
Support the tracking of research expenditure and supporting documentation, as required.
Meeting notes and action trackers.
Inputs to research progress updates.
Logistics plans and supporting records.
Reporting Lines:
The Research Assistant reports directly to the Implementation Research and Learning Lead, who is responsible for day-to-day supervision, work planning, performance feedback and review of deliverables.
Works closely with the MEL team on data collection tools, data quality and indicator data required for research.
Coordinates with the Programme Manager’s team and State-level project staff on field access, scheduling and programme information.
Engages with health facilities and partner institutions in line with assigned responsibilities.
Qualifications and Requirements Education:
MBBS, Bachelor Degree in Nursing or Public Health, Statistics, or a related field.
A postgraduate degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Implementation Science or a related field will be an added advantage.
Experience:
Minimum of 2 years post-qualification.
Experience supporting research studies, including data collection, data management and documentation is an added advantage
Co-authorship of publications, abstracts or technical reports will be an advantage.
Experience in newborn, maternal and child health, quality improvement or simulation-based training will be an added advantage.
Skills and Competencies:
Good knowledge of implementation research concepts and research methods.
Strong data analytical and management skills, with working knowledge of statistical or qualitative analysis tools.
Strong scientific writing, documentation and presentation skills.
Strong understanding of research ethics, informed consent, confidentiality and data protection.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
Ability to work independently within guidance and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint, and in reference management tools.
Familiarity with DHIS2 and digital data collection tools such as KoboCollect, ODK or SurveyCTO will be an advantage.
High level of integrity, accountability and confidentiality.
Ability and willingness to travel within Ekiti State and to other locations as required.
Working Conditions:
The role is based at CeNHRI in Ekiti State, Nigeria.
The role combines office-based research support and analysis with field visits to health facilities and project sites.
Travel to facilities, partner institutions and other relevant sites may be required.
The role involves regular interaction with the Implementation Research and Learning Lead, the MEL team and programme and technical teams.
Additional working hours may occasionally be required during data collection, manuscript and report deadlines and reporting periods.