Job Description

Job Title: Research Assistant or Associate – Health Economics Department/School/Faculty: Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Campus location: St Mary’s Campus (Paddington) Job Family/Level: Research Job Family, Research Assistant or Research Associate* (Research salary scale) Responsible to: Professor Sir Roy Anderson Key Working Relationships Lead investigators, other epidemiologists, statistician and (internal): mathematical modellers in the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology Key Working Relationships Project collaborators, funder (Children’s Investment Fund (external): Foundation – CIFF), Ministry of Health Ethiopia, foundations and agencies, other international academic groups Contract type: Full time and fixed Term until 30 June 22 in the first instance. Part-time/flexible working will be considered, and details can be discussed at interview

Purpose of the Post

The research programme focuses on Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of debilitating, disabling, and even fatal infectious diseases which disproportionately affect people living in around the world. Founded in 2012, the Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR) was created to coordinate and promote scientific research around on the biology, epidemiology, and control of NTDS. In this research the design, implementation, and evaluation of NTD control and elimination programmes is a priority. The LCNTDR acts as a coordinating body between several NTD research institutions based in London – , the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the Natural History Museum (NHM), and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). The Sanger Centre at the University of Cambridge and the SCI Foundation are associate members.

The LCNTDR aims to improve communication between its members, act as a platform for pooling technical expertise in order to obtain funding to carry out research and field studies in developing countries, and communicate results to inform policy, donors, and the general public. The LCNTDR is based in the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology in the School of Public Health at Imperial College London.

This post is funded by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) as part of the evaluation team of the Geshiyaro project, which aims to break the transmission of soil transmitted helminths (STH) and (SCH) in Southern Ethiopia. The LCNTDR, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the impact of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) in conjunction with mass drug administration (MDA), implemented by World Vision Ethiopia and the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), respectively.

The overall aim of the project is to develop a scalable and cost-effective model of interventions for the interruption of transmission of STH and SCH leading to the cessation of MDA for disease control in Ethiopia. The primary outcome is to reach a 2% or less prevalence of STH (by species) and SCH in individual communities, as diagnosed by qPCR, 24 months after stopping MDA after three rounds of biannual treatment.

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Job Description

Key objectives of the evaluation team are to evaluate the epidemiological and health impact of WaSH and MDA on the interruption of transmission of STH and SCH in a focal geographic area of Ethiopia. This is measured through parasitological (baseline and endline mapping, as well as annual longitudinal sentinel sites), treatment coverage (both through biometric identification and independent validation surveys), WaSH coverage (through cross-sectional WaSH assessments) and qualitative research (focus group discussions).

The post holder will lead the cost benefit analyses in the Geshiyaro project, based on collected data on costs and benefits/impact of defined control interventions. The data collected consist of records of infection. (prevalence and intensity), treatment for individuals, costs of different interventions and background demographic data (village location, age and gender plus past treatment)

The person appointed will also be responsible for all aspects of the Geshiyaro cost benefit evaluation activities on behalf of LCNTDR, in coordination with the partner evaluation organisation, EPHI, the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia and the funder CIFF.

Specifically, the role will entail coordinating six major activities:

(1) Defining what measurements should be made on costs and benefit/ impact. (2) Managing the Cloud based health economic data and access to it (3) Some capacity building in basic health economic analysis techniques in EPHI (4) Analysis and interpretation of collected information (5) Preparation of analyses for publication in peer reviewed journals (6) Reporting results to the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia and the funder CIFF

To complete these activities the post holder will be part of a team of five staff (3 epidemiologists, data manager, and health economist) all of whom will provide technical input and assist with report and paper writing. The post holder will be present for the data collection period with pre-preparation and post- analysis time included some time (when travel permitted) in Ethiopia.

Key qualifications for the post are a background in health economics, first degree in economics plus a Masters or PhD in health economics, and an interest in infectious disease epidemiology, and the ability to work for short periods in the field in Ethiopia (when travel regulations permit) developing good working relations with local staff and the treated communities.

An important aspect of the project is the dissemination of the results (via reports and publications) to global stakeholders, in particular via working closely with WHO, agencies running the programme in Ethiopia (EPHI and the FMoH) and the funder CIFF, to inform public health decision making for the control of NTDs in Ethiopia. Key Responsibilities:

Main duties • To supervise the heath economic collection and analysis of data in the Geshiyaro project in order to assess the different health impact and costs of defined control interventions • To appropriately direct and manage the resources allocated to the health economic data collection and analysis. • Some capacity building in health economics in EPHI in Ethiopia. • Be an active team member in ensuring the successful completion of the intervention project and the broad health impacts and costs of the various interventions employed. • Assist with the analysis of data • Ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times

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Job Description

• Maintain accurate and complete records of all findings • Assist with the writing of reports to research sponsors • Present findings to colleagues • Provide advice to other staff and students • Assist with the publication of findings • Attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary • Develop contacts within the College and the wider community • Promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College

In addition, at Research Associate level: • Take initiatives in the planning of research • Direct the work of small research teams • Write reports for submission to research sponsors • Submit publications to refereed journals • Provide guidance to staff and students • Provide guidance to PhD Students • Contribute to bids for research grants • Conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision. • Maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental Work. • Actively participate in the research programme of the Group. • Publish in high quality journals and to present data at national and international meetings. • Participate in Group research meetings and internal seminars. • Collaborate with other allied scientists within Imperial College and elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate. • Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research assistants as required.

Other Duties: • To undertake any necessary training and/or development. • To undertake appropriate administration tasks. • To attend relevant meetings.

Where Imperial or funder conditions necessitate, you will be required to complete timesheets for your work on projects in a timely manner.

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Job Description

Person Specification

Requirements Essential (E)/ Candidates/post holders will be expected to demonstrate the following: Desirable (D)

Education Research Associate: E Hold a PhD in Health Economics or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience *Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

Research Assistant: A first / masters degree (or equivalent) in Health Economics Experience A strong interest in neglected tropical diseases and working in resource poor settings E Epidemiological research experience E Experience in related international development E Experience of working with external collaborators in the UK and overseas E (Associate) Experience in collecting/analysing epidemiological data E Practical experience within a research environment E A record of high-quality publications in international peer-reviewed journals E (Associate) Experience of presenting results and findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences E e.g. at significant conferences or engaging with the public on science Experience supporting financial, grants, or contractual management D Knowledge Working knowledge of data management and data cleaning for large populations E Knowledge of computational and data storage software (preferably Stata or R). E Knowledge of research methods and statistical procedures E Skills & Abilities Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature E Ability to develop and apply new concepts E Creative approach to problem-solving E Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people E Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for E publication Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision E Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines E Advanced computer skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets and the Internet E Ability to direct the work of a small research team and motivate others to produce a high E (Associate) standard of work Other Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative E Flexible attitude towards work E Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times E Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role E Willingness to travel both within the and to spend time abroad E (Ethiopia) to conduct research Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the requirements E of the project demand

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Job Description

Please note that job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All employees are expected to follow the 7 Imperial Expectations detailed below:

1) Champion a positive approach to change and opportunity 2) Encourage inclusive participation and eliminate discrimination 3) Communicate regularly and effectively within and across teams 4) Consider the thoughts and expectations of others 5) Deliver positive outcomes 6) Develop and grow skills and expertise 7) Work in a planned and managed way

Employees are also required to comply with all College policies and regulations paying special attention to: • Confidentiality • Financial Regulations • Private Engagements • Conflict of Interest • Health and Safety and Register of Interests • Data Protection • Information Technology • Equal Opportunities • Smoking

They must also undertake specific training and assume responsibility for safety relevant to specific roles, as set out on the College Website Health and Safety Structure and Responsibilities page.

The College is a proud signatory to the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information, see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-evaluation/

The College believes that the use of animals in research is vital to improve human and animal health and welfare. Animals may only be used in research programmes which are ultimately aimed towards finding new treatments and making scientific and medical advances, and where there are no satisfactory or reasonably practical alternatives to their use. Imperial is committed to ensuring that, in cases where this research is deemed essential, all animals in the College’s care are treated with full respect, and that all staff involved with this work show due consideration at every level. Find out more about animal research at Imperial.

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex, or sexual orientation. We are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Disability Confident Leader and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

August 2021

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