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Description: 

Job Description

Research Assistant

 

  1. Background

The American University of Beirut (AUB) is an institution of higher learning founded to provide excellence in education, to participate in the advancement of knowledge through research, and to serve the peoples of the Middle East and beyond. Chartered in New York State in 1863, the university bases its educational philosophy, standards, and practices on the American liberal ​arts model of higher education. The university believes deeply in and encourages freedom of thought and expression and seeks to foster tolerance and respect for diversity and dialogue.

 

We are recruiting a Research Assistant to join a research team with Dr Tania Bosqui at AUB, and Dr Felicity Brown at War Child Holland, on an AHRC and FDCS funded project entitled:  The effectiveness, mechanisms of change, and acceptability of Family Focused Psychosocial Support for at-risk adolescents in Lebanon.

 

This study aims to develop and test a family systemic intervention that can be delivered alongside the existing United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Focused-Psychosocial Support (FPSS) program for at-risk adolescents in Lebanon. There is a small yet growing evidence base for psychosocial interventions in conflict and humanitarian emergencies, however adolescent mental health is often under-researched and drastically under-resourced. Families play a critical role in ensuring adolescent mental health and protection outcomes, yet there has been limited research evaluating family interventions in these settings.

 

Nurturing family environments are essential for healthy child development, and parenting and systemic family interventions show strong effectiveness. Through the development and evaluation of an adjunctive Family Systemic Intervention Module we will enhance current humanitarian programming by addressing the child’s ecology, while also addressing a significant weakness of the current evidence base for at-risk adolescents and their families in conflict-affected contexts. The program is systemic, culturally and contextually relevant, and sustainable. Findings will inform the Mental Health System Reform in Lebanon led by the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). The participatory, hybrid effectiveness-implementation design will ensure that the intervention is optimally contextualized, and suited for wide-scale implementation.

 

  1. Roles and responsibilities

 

  • The Research Assistant has an essential role in implementing core research activities, with the support and supervision of the co-PI’s and Research Coordinator.
  • They will be responsible for
    • Abiding by the ethical guidelines of AUBs IRB and MoPH
    • Conducting both quantitative and qualitative data collection during the pilot and randomised control trial testing the intervention
    • Contributing to the development and translation of qualitative interview guides, measures, translation into Arabic, conducting interviews, administering measures, and transcription and translation of qualitative data
    • Data checking and cleaning
    • Reporting on adverse events and serious adverse events according to study data management protocols, as appropriate
    • Participating in regular research supervision and meetings with the research team
    • Supporting in data analyses and preparation of reports and presentations, as needed for the project

 

  1. Reporting
  • They will report to Dr Tania Bosqui at the American University of Beirut (Jesup Hall 103D, [email protected], extension 4370).

 

  1. Profile

 

Essential:

  • At least Masters level degree in relevant field (e.g. Psychology, Nursing, Education, Public Health, Social Sciences), or equivalent experience
  • At least 2 years’ experience implementing field-based research with human subjects in a relevant field (i.e. psychosocial support, education, and/or child protection)
  • Extensive experience working within Lebanon or the wide region, with refugees and in humanitarian settings
  • Proven track record in implementing research activities and data management for human subjects research projects
  • Excellent communication skills in English and Arabic (oral and written)
  • Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision
  • Reliable and able to work to tight deadlines
  • Available full time

 

Desirable:

  • Experience in (basic) analyses of data sets in SPSS or a similar software package
  • Experience in analysis of qualitative data, using software
  • Previous experience of research involving adolescents and/or mental health
  • Previous extensive experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods

 

 

  1. Job Location: Beirut with frequent travel at certain times of the project throughout Lebanon, for data collection.

 

  1. Time frame:  The assignment is expected to start on 23rd August 2021, for 7 months with possible renewal thereafter. A 1 month probation will period will need to be passed.

 

 

Research Assistants will be eligible for enrollment in the Health Insurance Plan of AUB (HIP), and one month vacation per year.

 

 

 

 

  1. How to apply

 

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to email their CV and cover letter before 13th August to Dr Tania Bosqui ([email protected]). Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is found.  

Expired

NOTE:

Daleel Madani, the civil society network, serves as a platform for organisations to post their professional opportunities, but is not involved in the recruitment process. The hiring organisation is solely responsible for the job and candidate selection.

Last modified: 
30 Jul, 2021
Intervention Sector(s):
Children & Youth
Application Deadline:
Saturday, 7 August 2021
Contract Type:
Full Time
Period of Employment:
7 months
Salary
salary to be discussed
Salary Range:
< 800 (USD)
Education Degree:
Masters Degree
Education Degree Details:
Experience Requirements:
2 to 3 years
Arabic Language:
Good
English Language:
Very Good
French Language:
None
Country/City: 
  • Lebanon
  • Beirut