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STOP Spillover University of Washington Research Coordinator

The Institute for Risk Analysis and Risk Communication (IRARC) within the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Washington has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Coordinator to coordinate and assist all research and training opportunities for the Risk Analysis and Communication (RAC) hub for the USAID Strategies to Prevent Spillover (STOP Spillover).

IRARC recently became part of the USAID STOP Spillover consortium. STOP Spillover provides a critical opportunity to enhance our global understanding of the complex drivers of viral spillover to augment sustainable national capacities in surveillance, risk analysis, and behavior change. The consortium’s vision is for priority countries across Africa and Asia to gain critical knowledge about their spillover ecosystems and refine and use that knowledge effectively, efficiently, and sustainably to reduce the risk of zoonotic viral spillover and spread.

IRARC brings expertise and experience in risk analysis, communication, and management to the USAID STOP Spillover consortium. IRARC Director, Elaine Faustman, leads the consortium’s RAC hub. Working with consortium partners and priority country stakeholders, IRARC will develop, implement, and manage an integrated risk analysis and risk management training program to strengthen country capacity to understand, monitor, and analyze risk of viral spillover, amplification, and spread. The training program will use a combination of virtual online, in-person, and in-country trainings using case study approaches. IRARC will also provide consultancy to trainees and develop a network of risk analysis partners and mentors.

The Research Coordinator for the RAC hub will support coordination and technical development for risk training and mentorship to the consortium and partners. The Research Coordinator will be responsible for data collection and tracking, synthesis and reporting, providing training implementation and evaluation assistance to consortium partners, including Tufts University, JSI, Tetra Tech, and the Broad Institute. Other responsibilities include coordinating communication within teams as well as across consortium partners, updating educational risk training materials, and associated coordination tasks that arise during the STOP Spillover program lifecycle.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Coordinate in the design and implementation of risk training phases, including outcome mapping activities
  • Manage timelines and allocations of resources
  • Collaborate with research team on development and delivery of training resources, including integration of guest lecture risk consultants and scheduling with country teams
  • Coordinate and participate in STOPS meetings, including RAC hub and training meetings; develop agendas and track action items
  • Coordinate communication with consortium partners, country teams, and technical working groups
  • Coordinate virtual and in-country training logistics (i.e., training venues, travel, and training materials)
  • Research and evaluate tools and resources to facilitate virtual and in-person, in-country trainings
  • Oversee data use agreements and coordinate administrative and data requirements for obtaining samples and data sets from program organizations as needed
  • Development of training materials and mentorship network (35%)
  • Participate in the design and implementation of risk training phases, including outcome mapping activities
  • Support the development of a network of risk analysis partners and mentors
  • Collaborate with the RAC hub, consortium partners, and risk trainees to identify priority knowledge gaps
  • Communicate technical concepts and risk approaches with partners and trainees
  • Design and implement evaluation metrics and track activities, interactions, and project deliverables
  • Prepare and collaborate on manuscripts and PowerPoint presentations present

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, or a related field
  • Two years of experience in the field of public health
  • Experience coordinating complex projects with multiple project team members who come from a variety of professional backgrounds
  • Ability to represent IRARC in a professional and congenial manner with professional colleagues both within academia and in public and private organizations outside of academia, globally
  • Experience working with academic investigators and researchers, members of community organizations
  • Demonstrated research skills in both qualitative and quantitative methods (design, implementation, and analysis)
  • Demonstrated oral presentation skills, both with and without Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to work both independently with limited supervision and as part of a team
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and to address complex situations with creativity
  • Ability to communicate well with people from diverse ethnic/racial, socioeconomic, and professional backgrounds
  • Ability to review existing research, literature, and resources to contribute to the creation of evidence-based materials and research instruments
  • Highly organized and attentive to detail
  • Ability to balance multiple demands and simultaneously under time constraints
  • Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Ability to travel internationally up to 15% annually (pending COVID-19 situation)

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.

Learn more about the position and apply here.