Research Assistant In Mixed Methods Slintecare Healthy Community Programme Evaluation

Job Title: Research Assistant in mixed methods Slintecare Healthy Community programme evaluation Department: Public Health and Epidemiology Reporting to: Prof. Debbi Stanistreet, Associate Professor of Public Health Location: RCSI, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2 Contract/Duration: Up to 18 months Remuneration: Research Assistant Salary Scale - dependent upon experience Closing Date: Monday 9th of September 2024 RCSI is a community of academic, research, clinical and professional staff working collaboratively to lead the world to better health.
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Background to the research project The goal of the Slintecare Healthy Communities Programme (SHCP) is to improve the long-term health and wellbeing of the most disadvantaged communities in Ireland.
The programme takes a place-based approach to tackling health inequalities with a focus on the determinants of health.
A core principle of Slintecare is prevention and central to prevention is a focus on the determinants of health.
These are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes.
Research has shown that the social determinants can be more important than health care or lifestyle choices in influencing health (WHO, 2021).
The SHCP Programme involves the expenditure of approx.
€15m per annum through both the HSE and Local Authorities.
Established in 2021, with significant recruitment and contracting in 2022, the programme is now fully operational in all 19 areas.
Evaluation of the pilot programme to date, requires us to ask questions about current progress and implementation.
Broadly, the aim of this research is to learn from best evidence for improving, sustaining and replicating Place Based Initiatives (PBIs), and to apply this evidence to the National Slintecare Healthy Communities Programme to make recommendations going forward.
Evaluation will include describing and exploring progress of the SHCP to date, developing a theory of change for the programme, and incorporate the findings into a research-based tool for the SHCP areas to inform ongoing programme monitoring, and future direction.
Responsibilities of the Researcher We are seeking to recruit a research assistant with strong skills in mixed methods but particularly qualitative methods.
The principal responsibilities of the post are to work with the PI, to implement a realist evaluation of the national SHCP.
Evaluation will include document analysis as well as interviews and workshops with SHCP stakeholders at a variety of different levels within the organization.
The post-holder will support Professor Stanistreet and the Post-Doctoral research fellow in undertaking all necessary activities, and will participate in data collection, analysis, write up and publication, and dissemination of findings.
They will need to be self-motivated, demonstrate initiative, and have proven ability to work independently.
They will be educated to Masters level, with significant experience of qualitative research and will be a member of a multi-disciplinary team, based at RCSI.
Specifically, the duties of the post are: Assist in designing data collection tools.
Assist in qualitative data collection in collaboration with the post-doctoral research fellow and the PI.
Data checking, transcription and cleaning Contribute to the document analysis Assist with the analysis of qualitative data Contribute to communications with partners, key stakeholders including preparation of reports and deliverables related to her/his responsibilities Support the preparation for project management group meetings Contribute to writing high quality scientific papers Represent the best interests of the SHCP and RCSI at all times Perform such other duties as may be required.
Qualifications - (Essential): Masters level qualification in a related field (social science, public health, or relevant fields) Knowledge & Experience - (Essential): At least one year's experience of conducting all aspects of qualitative research, from study design to data collection, analysis and publication of findings following Masters degree Experience in (or with) the health or social sector Computer skills including ability to use qualitative data analysis packages (e.g.
NVivo) Evidence of strong scientific writing skills and experience Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills Strong organisational and administrative skills with the ability to prioritise objectives and work to deadlines The ability to work on own initiative as well as in a team environment Flexibility to work irregular hours on occasion Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
Knowledge & Experience - (Desirable): Experience with realist methods of evaluation Evidence of publications We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application - we'd love to hear from you.
Application Process Please apply online through the RCSI careers portal on the closing date with your CV and cover letter.
Informal Enquiries can be directed to .
Please note we do not accept CVs directly.
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