PATH, a US based international development organization with the mission to improve the health of people around the world by advancing health technologies, strengthening systems and encouraging healthy behaviors. PATH India has a country office in New Delhi with site offices in Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bhopal and Mumbai.
The Ultra Rice is a culturally-appropriate and highly cost-effective solution to the pervasive issue of micronutrient malnutrition caused by lack of access to a diversified diet. Ultra Rice® is a micronutrient delivery system that packs vitamins and minerals into manufactured rice grains made from rice flour, utilizing pasta-making extrusion equipment. Ultra Rice resembles milled rice in size, shape, and color. When it is blended with milled rice, typically at a ratio of 1:100, the resulting fortified rice is nearly identical to traditional rice in smell, taste, and texture.
For the past several years, the Ultra Rice Project at PATH has focused on establishing successful models of supply and demand for Ultra Rice to enable early market development, broaden product adoption, and lay the foundation for further growth of the rice fortification field. The Ultra Rice team, comprised of interdisciplinary staff from PATH’s Seattle, DC, and Delhi offices have made great strides to optimize product attributes, strengthen the clinical and operational evidence base, establish high-quality manufacturing in both India and Brazil, and initiate successful pilot introductions. Additionally, a US food aid field trial is now being pursued in Burundi, representing the project’s first foray into Africa.
The project is presently in search of a field research officer to support project activities in India primarily, however, with potential opportunity for supporting field research in neighboring countries as the Ultra Rice project expands. Broadly, the field research officer would design, implement, and evaluate trials within public sector distribution programs, drive the team’s efforts to build a national rice fortification alliance in collaboration with key partners, and support advocacy-related communication needs of the project with a variety of stakeholders, including government officials, local NGOs, and rice millers.
The position will be based in Delhi, India and will report to the Senior Project Manager based in Delhi as well. Specific responsibilities for the Nutrition Research Officer include:
- Lead the design and implementation of Ultra Rice demonstration trials through key public sector programs in India, including the Integrated Child Development Scheme, Mid-Day Meal program, and Public Distribution system
- Liaise with key stakeholders to identify trial endpoints most desired by key stakeholders
- As needed, identify appropriate research partners and develop scopes of work
- Design demonstration trials and work with country teams and/or partners and consultants in project countries to obtain necessary clinical reviews and local approvals
- Develop trial implementation plans, engage key implementation partners, train partners, develop quality control measures, and manage the trials
- Oversee the analysis of data resulting from the trials
- Develop and disseminate findings from demonstration trials: manage the development of white papers, manuscripts, etc. Present findings at relevant meetings and conferences.
- In collaboration with key partners, support the development of an emerging national rice fortification alliance. Help to define the charter, establish communication mechanisms, develop agendas for meetings, and oversee development of appropriate advocacy materials.
- Lead an external international technical advisory group comprised of nutrition experts to guide the Ultra Rice project on a range of nutrition and research related issues, ranging from the team’s demonstration trial strategy to its product formulation.
- Contribute to proposal writing, as needed
Required Skills:
- Knowledge and demonstrable skills in a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to develop research protocols, data collection tools, process for institutional review, organize and conduct training and data gathering activities, data synthesis and analysis, quality control measures and report writing.
- Good computer skills/ past experience of using quantitative/qualitative software.
- Excellent oral and writing skills in English
- Demonstrated ability to write and edit scientific papers
- Demonstrated ability to work in teams and interact with diverse colleagues
- Demonstrated ability to work in multiple socio-economic settings and with multi-cultural groups in India.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and other high level officials
- In-depth knowledge of at least one programmatic area of health.
- Track record in managing large research projects.
- Track record in supervising research partners.
- Willing to travel, both domestically and internationally, up to 25% time annually (mostly domestic within India, but periodically to other countries within which the Ultra Rice team is active)
Required Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in nutrition or related degree (MS or PhD) and 8 years experience in health research or nutrition research; or equivalent combination of relevant experience and training.
- Experience with an international development organization and/or on multi-country projects.
Job Location: New Delhi, INDIA
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular