Position Overview:

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with partners, is implementing the research project titled “Evaluating Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Nutrition and Health (MNCNH) Innovation Impact in Rwanda.” The project supports the Health Sector Strategic Plan V (HSSP V, 2024–2029) and evaluates high-impact interventions, including Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS), Calcium Supplementation, Intravenous Iron, PPH Bundles, and Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS).

We are seeking a qualified and motivated Technical Assistant to serve as the lead technical resource guiding the nutrition components of the MNCNH Innovation Impact Project. The successful candidate will ensure that nutrition interventions are scientifically sound, ethically implemented, and effectively integrated into maternal, neonatal, and child health research activities. The role bridges research design and field implementation to ensure that evidence generated translates into improved practices and policies within Rwanda’s health system.

The position will be seconded to the Ministry of Health.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical support in the implementation of project activities in accordance with approved study protocols and national guidelines.
• Support coordination of project activities across participating health facilities and stakeholders.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to health facilities to assess adherence to study protocols, nutrition standards, and quality assurance measures.
• Identify operational challenges, including stock management issues or protocol deviations, and recommend corrective actions.
• Assist in the development and revision of standard operating procedures (SOPs), training materials, and implementation tools.
• Provide on-site mentorship and supportive supervision to facility staff involved in project implementation, particularly on nutrition-related interventions.
• Support data management, analysis activities, and interpretation of findings to inform programmatic and policy decisions.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, presentations, policy briefs, manuscripts, and other project documentation.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between the Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, district health teams, and implementing partners.
• Contribute to dissemination of research findings to stakeholders and communities in accessible and user-friendly formats.
• Perform any other related technical duties as assigned by the Research Coordinator.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related discipline is an added advantage.
• Valid professional license to practice in Rwanda is an added advantage.
• Proven experience in health research involving the conduct, management, or oversight of complex studies, preferably in maternal and neonatal health.
• Proficiency in Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems, data management platforms (e.g., REDCap), and statistical software (R, Stata, SAS, SPSS, or Python) is highly desirable.
• Experience providing technical guidance to research teams and mentoring facility staff.
• Familiarity with national maternal and neonatal health guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research data into well-written manuscripts and technical reports.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail, particularly in protocol adherence and data verification.
• Ability to independently identify complex implementation challenges and propose practical solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and travel regularly to field sites.
• Strong teamwork, flexibility, and ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and adherence to ethical research standards and data confidentiality.

Why Join This Project?

• Contribute to nationally prioritized research aimed at improving maternal, neonatal, and child nutrition and health outcomes in Rwanda.
• Play a key role in strengthening nutrition integration within implementation research and health system innovation.
• Work closely with national health authorities and multidisciplinary teams in a high-impact research environment.
• Support evidence generation that informs national guidelines and improves quality of care.

• Provide technical support in the implementation of project activities in accordance with approved study protocols and national guidelines.
• Support coordination of project activities across participating health facilities and stakeholders.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to health facilities to assess adherence to study protocols, nutrition standards, and quality assurance measures.
• Identify operational challenges, including stock management issues or protocol deviations, and recommend corrective actions.
• Assist in the development and revision of standard operating procedures (SOPs), training materials, and implementation tools.
• Provide on-site mentorship and supportive supervision to facility staff involved in project implementation, particularly on nutrition-related interventions.
• Support data management, analysis activities, and interpretation of findings to inform programmatic and policy decisions.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, presentations, policy briefs, manuscripts, and other project documentation.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between the Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, district health teams, and implementing partners.
• Contribute to dissemination of research findings to stakeholders and communities in accessible and user-friendly formats.
• Perform any other related technical duties as assigned by the Research Coordinator.

• Strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail, particularly in protocol adherence and data verification.
• Ability to independently identify complex implementation challenges and propose practical solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and travel regularly to field sites.
• Strong teamwork, flexibility, and ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and adherence to ethical research standards and data confidentiality.

• Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related discipline is an added advantage.
• Valid professional license to practice in Rwanda is an added advantage.
• Proven experience in health research involving the conduct, management, or oversight of complex studies, preferably in maternal and neonatal health.
• Proficiency in Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems, data management platforms (e.g., REDCap), and statistical software (R, Stata, SAS, SPSS, or Python) is highly desirable.
• Experience providing technical guidance to research teams and mentoring facility staff.
• Familiarity with national maternal and neonatal health guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research data into well-written manuscripts and technical reports.