The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) strives to address nutrition and health-related problems by conducting population-based research and contributing to the effective implementation of the Food and Nutrition Policy and Strategy in Ethiopia. To this end, the Food Science and Nutrition Research Directorate of EPHI in collaboration with the University of California Davis and Nutrition International (NI), a Canadian non-governmental organization, is planning to conduct research on the development and assessment of double-fortified salt with iodine and folic acid to prevent neural tube defects in Ethiopia
Spina bifida and related neural tube defects (NTDs) are caused by abnormalities in the formation of the brain and spinal cord during early embryonic development and result in a high prevalence of fetal loss, infant and young child mortality, severe physical disabilities among survivors, and incalculable suffering of affected individuals and their families. Research conducted in the 1980s-90s demonstrated that NTDs are associated with poor maternal folate status and can be largely prevented by providing additional folate in the form of folic acid supplements or folic acid-fortified foods during the peri-conceptional period.
The prevalence of NTDs is high in Ethiopia, and the national government has issued a series of recommendations to address this problem, including folic acid fortification of staple foods and condiments. Many countries with large-scale milling operations now fortify cereal flours like wheat and maize flour with folic acid, and the prevalence of NTDs has consistently fallen in those countries. However, high population coverage through cereal fortification is not practicable in Ethiopia, where most flour is produced in small-scale community mills. Thus, alternative approaches are needed to deliver folic acid to women prior to and during early pregnancy. Because of the success of salt iodization in Ethiopia, where more than 90% of households consume iodized salt, salt is an attractive vehicle to consider for folic acid fortification. However, no countries currently deploy folic acid fortification of salt as a public health program, and the Ethiopian government has requested rigorous evaluation of this strategy before initiating a national program to fortify salt with folic acid.
In response to this challenge, we plan to implement a two-phase, community-based research project in rural Ethiopia, lasting approximately two years, to assess the acceptability and nutritional impact of double-fortified salt containing both iodine and folic acid (DFS-IoFA). During the first phase of the project, we will measure dietary folate consumption and discretionary salt intakes by women in the study communities to determine the appropriate level of folic acid fortification of salt. We will also assess the women’s folate, vitamin B12 and iodine status to assess the suitability of the study communities for conducting the second phase of research. During phase two, we will randomly assign households to receive either conventional iodized salt or DFS-IoFA, and we will assess the impact of the intervention on women’s folate and iodine status.
In view of this plan, EPHI would like to recruit a field research coordinator who will support research work. The incumbent will work closely, with the research team at EPHI and UC Davis to assist with the field research implementation and will provide technical support for field operations. The field coordinator will also liaise with the respective investigators and local representatives of the Ministry of Health and community leaders.
1.Specific responsibilities:
- Work closely with EPHI and UC Davis research staff to plan and implement the field work, including establishing a local office at the field site.
- Assist in the finalization of protocols, data collection tools, and data management systems.
- Assist investigators with pre-survey work of the dietary survey and biochemical assessment; including the development of a food list, a food composition database, a standard recipe database, and portion size estimation methods.
- Work closely with UC Davis post doc fellow and report as needed.
- Assist with the development of field data collection forms and implementation manual.
- Support investigators with the recruitment of data collectors.
- In consultation with investigators prepare a training manual for field supervisors and data collectors, and train both supervisors and data collectors.
- Oversee participant recruitment and compliance with research ethics, including close communication with local community representatives and government authorities.
- Coordinate day-to-day operations, including supervision of data collection, data management, preliminary analyses of data, and preparation of regular updates for investigators.
- Develop and maintain a timeline of study activities ensuring investigators are informed of upcoming activities and project deliverables.
- Organize and conduct bi-weekly progress review meetings with investigators.
- Network with the Ministry of Health, NI and other partners.
- Support other related activities as needed by the directorate
- A graduate degree such as Masters's or Doctoral (PhD) degree in Applied Human Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Sciences, Health, Epidemiology, Public Health or Public Health/Applied Human Nutrition from a recognized academic institution. Specialized training in research methods (including dietary assessment and biochemical assessment of nutritional status), public health systems or related is an advantage.
a. Experiences:
- The incumbent must have at least 10 years for PhD and 12 years for MSc of experience in research work or field research coordination. Having published scientific articles in related fields is an advantage. Hands-on experience in designing research tools, training, and supervising research teams in the field; preferably in research institutions is an asset.
b. Language Skills:
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Oromigna is mandatory.
c. Desired Competencies:
. Ability to coordinate activities in research and/or academic and public health institutes
- Ability to conceptualize, devise and lead research, research strategies/ research themes
- Demonstrated experience in writing research proposals and protocols; designing tools; and conducting interviews
- Be familiar with local and international research ethics
-Be able to use statistical software such as Stata, SPSS, R or SAS etc.
- Demonstrated research communication and interpersonal communication skills
- Experience working with existing food and nutrition policies, strategies and plans of the country
- Ability to coordinate research workshops and conferences
- Able to stay at the field and will be expected to be present in the office (EPHI) continuously during the period of project planning and implementation.
2. Monitoring and Reporting:
- The coordinator is expected to provide a written report of accomplishments on weekly basis.
3.Duty station/location:
- The successful candidate will be based in study location, Oromia, Gibmichu Woreda
4.Timeline:
- The field research coordinator will be hired as soon as possible for six months with the possibility of extension depending on his/her performance.
5. Accountability:
- Both the Civil service and EPHI Human Resource Development rules and regulations will be applied to guide the day-to-day services.
*As new priorities emerge, EPHI may periodically revise the TOR for this position.