Boston College Introduction

Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,445 full-time undergraduates and 5,125 graduate and professional students. Ranked 35 among national universities, Boston College has 878 full-time and 1,201 FTE faculty, 2,750 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.2 billion, and an endowment in excess of $2.8 billion.

Job Description

Competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience.

This is a full time (35 hours per week) benefits eligible position. This position is based in Sierra Leone. Anticipated length of employment is through November 30, 2023.

The Research Associate will provide services to the research study Long term stress and impairment in children and youth after an acute infectious disease outbreak: A longitudinal study of the social, familial and individual effects of Ebola viral disease (EVD) (EVD Mental Health Study).

Reporting to the Principal Investigator, Dr. Thomas M. Crea, the Research Associate will provide services to the research study entitled Long term stress and impairment in children and youth after an acute infectious disease outbreak: A longitudinal study of the social, familial and individual effects of Ebola viral disease (EVD). This study involves multiple local partners in Sierra Leone, including Caritas Freetown, Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors (SLAES), Sustainable Health Systems (SHS), and Kenema Government Hospital (KGH). The study design includes translation of all research documents from English to Sierra Leonean Krio, and qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.

The Research Associate will use her/his expertise in research, data collection, and knowledge working in Sierra Leone to perform bi-weekly supervision, database maintenance and provide support to the program team employed by Caritas Freetown and Kenema Government Hospital.

The EVD Mental Health study is designed to examine physical and mental health outcomes for children infected by or exposed to EVD. The central research questions focus on how family and community relationships, and the experience of disease stigma, ameliorate or exacerbate children's mental health symptoms over time. The study aims to survey 750 children and their caregivers in five districts at three one-year intervals. The results of this study will inform a critical shortage of knowledge in how acute infectious diseases are implicated in the development of mental health problems. Results will help inform the development of new interventions targeted to improve mental health for those infected or otherwise affected by acute infectious diseases. The Research Associate will join an ongoing collaboration between the Boston College School of Social Work and Caritas Freetown, and will also serve as a primary liaison with SLAES, SHS and Kenema Government Hospital.

The EVD Mental Health study design includes translation of all research documents from English to Sierra Leonean Krio, and qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.

EVD Mental Health Essential Functions

ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS: Attend translation meetings and data analysis meetings at least bi-weekly. Attend data collection field visits. Provide program support to Caritas, SLAES, SHS and KGH managers with other assigned tasks.

RESEARCH TASKS: Support input and quality checking of quantitative survey data.
Support data management and qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Provide program support to Caritas, SLAES, SHS and KGH managers with other assigned tasks.

COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION: Participate in weekly online meetings with the Principal Investigator. Support organizational partners in communication and collaboration with the Caritas and KGH data collection teams. Provide program support to Caritas, SLAES, SHS and KGH managers with other assigned tasks.

The Research Associate may work on a schedule falling outside normal business hours in order to meet demands in the field and cross-time zones communications.

The work location is in Sierra Leone.



Requirements

The Research Associate will need to be a self-driven, creative thinker with strong organizational abilities, and communication and research skills to assist organizational partners in conducting day-to-day operations, data collection and analysis. Masters degree, preferably in Public Health, Implementation Science, Social Work, Developmental Psychology, Mental Health, or other related field. Experience related to conducting research in culturally diverse contexts, preferably in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) and particularly in Sierra Leone. Understanding of the application of technology both for data collection as well as routine symptom monitoring, fidelity monitoring and quality improvement efforts in global mental health and child development. Exposure to implementation science to include hybrid design, cluster randomized control trials, longitudinal studies, and quality improvement approaches to fidelity and supervision that relate to long-term sustainability and scalability. Some experience in data collection and qualitative and quantitative research methodologies including mixed-methods. Proficiency in utilizing computer applications including Microsoft Office, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis platforms like REDCap.

Closing Statement