Indlela Behavioural Science Researcher

The Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO) of the University of the Witwatersrand, based in Johannesburg, South Africa is an internationally recognized health research group which conducts research and analysis on issues of public health importance, including a strong focus on HIV, TB, and NCDs._
- HE2RO seeks to build the evidence base to improve health policies and programmes in South Africa and the region._
- With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, HE2RO has launched the "Indlela; Behavioural Insights for Better Health" initiative
- This capacity-building initiative aims to expand the use of behavioural economics and insights within HIV prevention and treatment programs in South Africa and strengthen the ability of health service delivery providers and key research institutions to develop and test contextually appropriate interventions that are informed by behavioural science principles
- This first-of-its-kind “nudge unit” is focused on improving the effectiveness of health services and HIV service delivery outcomes in South Africa
- HE2RO is looking to recruit a dynamic, enthusiastic, and self-motivated Behavioural Science Researcher (Nudge Associate) to work with the Indlela leadership team to identify behavioural aspects of public health issues and develop appropriate ‘nudge’ strategies to address those challenges through collaboration on behavioural science studies with other research and implementation organisations
- This individual will work with the team and collaborators to develop research project concepts, identify behavioural insights, contribute to the design of rapid evaluations and support the implementation of these evaluations and data analyses
- The position will be based at HE2RO head office in Johannesburg but may require travel primarily within South Africa, and possibly sub-Saharan Africa and globally Overtime/weekend hours and working in rural areas and/or under-resourced circumstances will be required from time to time
- This is a full-time position

**Responsibilities and Duties**:

- Provide support to implementing partners and other research organisations to co-create research study concepts, design behavioural insights projects and identify methods to measure behavioural change with the Indlela team
- Provide support to implementing partners and other research organisations to conduct behavioural insights test studies and related research by;
- 1) development of protocols, study tools and SOPs
- 2) obtaining appropriate local IRB and relevant provincial and district permissions and approvals
- 3) facilitating access to data collection
- 4) monitoring the progress of these studies and study timelines
- 5) supporting data analysis
- 6) Ensuring that progress reports are submitted to the funder and IRB
- Manage day-to-day logistics and oversight of behavioural insight test studies and related stakeholder engagement and prepare feedback progress reports to the Indlela team and funders
- Responsibilities will include management and oversight of behavioural insights test projects, leading team calls and preparing meeting minutes
- Participate in and assist with facilitating behavioural economics training and skill building workshops and other meetings in collaboration with Indlela facilitators to build capacity in South Africa
- This may include developing course material and presentations
- Support Indlela investigators and managers with stakeholder engagement and participate in related activities as required
- Assist with the presentation of scientific findings and the drafting of conference abstracts and peer-reviewed publications that can be shared with other stakeholders such as research networks, universities/academic institutions, government departments, funders, the community, and media
- Provide support on the newsletter, website and social media
- Perform other tasks and contribute to organizational management as needed

**Requirements**:

- Masters Degree in Public Health, Psychology, Health Economics, Epidemiology or other relevant Degree
- At least 3-5 years of research experience or comparable professional experience in public health, preferably in socio-behavioural research and demonstrated knowledge of behavioural economics or sociobehavioural principles would be desirable
- Knowledge of the HIV care cascade and relevant policies
- Experience working with implementers in HIV care and treatment services would be desirable
- Experience in using various research methodological designs
- Experience in the various stages of research including ethics regulatory processes and SOP development
- Experience implementing projects and managing study staff (experience implementing behavioural interventions and studies would be preferable)
- Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills; good administrative skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office
- Ordered, systematic and analytical approach to research
- Drivers licence