Data Manager

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

DATA MANAGER

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW 

Possible is a collaboration that develops and tests innovations to improve health in Nepal by directly responding to local concerns, while drawing from and contributing to the broader disciplines of global health research, practice, and policy. Our partnership is between an independent Nepal-based non-governmental organization and a US-based non-profit. Possible envisions a world where everyone, everywhere has access to high-quality healthcare rooted in evidence, inclusion, and equity. As such, we engage in rigorous and collaborative research and innovation to address evidence, implementation, and policy gaps in the equity, quality, and accessibility of healthcare. Our research endeavors and partnerships aim to address challenges in context and from stated or established needs. Our first commitment is to develop and deploy interventions that improve health (rather than prioritize academic outputs that may be novel and methodologically sound but do not directly improve healthcare). We partner with community-based organizations, public and private sector academic institutions and research organizations to leverage research and evidence to inform and implement innovative solutions to healthcare challenges in Nepal. For the last 16 years, we have been a leader in healthcare innovation in Nepal, conducting implementation research with partnerships spanning several international institutions such as Harvard Medical School, University of California San Francisco, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and University of Washington.

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

Possible, a non-governmental organization registered in Nepal, is seeking a Data Manager to strengthen our data systems across various research and innovation projects implemented with our partners. Most of the data we collect pertains to intervention and implementation research, with a focus on behavioral interventions. The Data Manager will work closely with the research team and advisors to build a robust data management ecosystem at Possible, aligning with both internal standards and National Institute of Health data requirements. The ideal candidate will be an advocate for Possible’s mission, vision, and values.

Reports to: Executive Director/ Associate Scientist

Direct Reports: Data Analyst/ Officer  

Working closely with: Possible team, Advisors, and Partners 

Location: Kathmandu with 30-40% travel to the partner sites 

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 

The Data Manager will work closely with the research team advisors, partners and relevant stakeholders to be chiefly responsible for the following areas of work:

1. Strengthen the data system from the development, rollout, and evaluation of intervention and implementation research protocols at Possible and partner sites, including all data processes, analysis, and write-up for manuscripts.

• Serve as a primary contact person for quantitative study design and data management system for intervention and implementation research at Possible;
• Lead as well as support in the submission of IRB applications for different intervention and implementation research projects working in collaboration with multiple team members, to develop research protocols with a strong data management plan;
• Lead data collection tools development and validation process, including the function for overseeing their translation and adaptation for Nepal;
• Coordinate and collaborate with multiple partners (including government as and when required) for data collection and/or data extraction, as required by the research projects; 
• Oversee the coordination of field logistics required for data collection/extraction, data quality checks, and validation pre and post intervention research;
• Ensure ethical conduct of research by setting up a mechanism to do so based on the protocols approved by institutional review boards;
• Set up a mechanism to ensure that data management across different research projects at Possible adheres with data SOPs;
• Lead in strengthening and updating Possible longitudinal data SOPs and subsequently operationalize the defined standards, working together with the research team, advisors, and our partners;
• Work closely with Biostatistician, Data Analyst, Research Managers, Advisors, and digital partner, coordinate across the research projects for data collection, management and analysis which involves building the digital data collection platform/s including preparation of design document, setting up the data collection process, training to the research team, data collection, cleaning, data processing, data analysis, interpretation and report writing for different research projects whilst ensuring that the approaches used align with Possible’s data SOPs; 
• Lead appropriate integration and transition of data, tools, and templates in existing and new systems (e.g. CommCare to Community Health Toolkit, REDCap to Open MRS, etc);
• Engage with different stakeholders and partners to support the team in collecting feedback and inputs in our research protocols;  
• Coordinate and support qualitative data collection process as and when required; 
• Discuss the progress and challenges in data system and SOPs with the team and lead in strengthening with the team’s support.

2. Develop and institutionalize data collection platforms, quality assurance mechanisms through research capacity development of team members and partners, alongside the maintenance of data repository system in place.

• Lead the discussions with our team and partners to provide input on identifying the data needs of different research projects;
• Co-lead or support team members in designing questionnaires on digital platforms;
• Support in establishing data quality assurance across all the research projects involving but not limited to regular field visits for data quality assessment;
• Travel to project implementation sites to learn, understand, iterate, and improve implementation and data quality processes;
• Train and orient program and research team on data collection tools, and data quality and validation measures;
• Support in capacity building of the team members by planning and conducting team orientation on quantitative data handling, working with the team to prepare a data collection and analysis plan; and supporting in triangulating data from different sources including qualitative data;
• Support in capacity building of direct report on standard procedures for data handling and process documentation;
• Support in capacity building of the partners and the stakeholders engaged in different research projects on using digital platforms, assuring data quality, data extractions, cleaning, and descriptive analysis as per the project M&E plan;
• Ensure that the quantitative data from across the research projects are rightly stored, encrypted, and protected in data repository system and update them periodically;
• Lead implementation of data management and sharing plan, including data archiving and storage as per the National Institute of Health's latest requirement.

3. Support in building Possible's workplace culture and strategic partnership, generating additional resources, and revenue, and support multiple projects to advance research and innovation.

• Contribute to writing research and non-research grants to strengthen our research in support of equitable health access for vulnerable groups;
• Support Possible team and advisors to plan and further research on health access, quality, and equity for vulnerable groups;
• Contribute to advancing Possible vision, mission, and goals by supporting partners' 
• mapping and strategic engagement for ongoing and upcoming research;
• Contribute to research efforts that advance social justice in Nepal, and globally;
• Support in building organization systems, accountability structures, workplace practice, and culture rooted in equity, justice, and diversity;
• Participate in internal and external working groups and ad-hoc team meetings to address urgent and emerging needs for organizational growth;
• Contribute to improve our research model, partnership, and organization systems;
• Guide the team to think critically about putting people at the center of our work and research;
• Contribute to maintaining legal, regulatory, and governance compliance as required;
• Collaborate with other organizations in Nepal and abroad to jointly expand and strengthen the information system management Lead and support research team, advisors, and partners as needed in disseminating quantitative research findings at different platforms.

The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive, and the Data Manager may be required to take on additional responsibilities, as determined in discussion with the Executive Director or their line managers.

Must Haves: 

1. Commitment to Possible’s Values, Mission & Vision.
2. A strong understanding of intervention and implementation research: The Data Manager must have a strong knowledge and training in research methodologies with a focus on quantitative methods and intervention/implementation research with longitudinal data collected at different time points. They have experience in research settings (e.g., academic, think tank, research policy, research NGO/INGO, or research with the government). 
3. Skilled in using software for data collection, management, and analysis (e.g., STATA, R, SAS, etc.); experience working on different digital data collection platforms (e.g. REDCap, CommCare, Community Health Toolkit, ODK, etc).  
4. Ability to work with a diverse team, and a strong motivation and flexibility to travel to urban, semi-urban, and remote areas in Nepal 
5. Qualifications: A Master’s degree in statistics, public health, or related field; at least five years of relevant experience; has at least 1-2 relevant published research articles (preferably as first author); excellent command of written and spoken Nepali and English; Nepali Citizen based in Nepal.

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Email CV and cover letter to recruitment@possiblehealth.org. When applying please include name and position in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until filled. If we believe that you and Possible are a good potential fit, we will contact you to advance the application process. Please note that due to a large volume of applications, we may not individually respond to your application.

You can get a detailed overview of the job description by visiting our website here.