Senior Research Assistant

The Aga Khan University Hospital (Pakistan); Karachi Division; On-site; PKR 279,000 - 502,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aga Khan University Hospital (Pakistan) seeks field staff to support pediatric outreach and nutrition research across Karachi. You will conduct household visits, administer validated questionnaires, and record anthropometric data under approved protocols.

Interpersonal communication with mothers and caregivers is essential, along with informed consent, data entry, and participation in trainings. Community-based fieldwork requires travel to sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in an administrative field.
• 1–2 years of relevant work experience.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in MS Office suite and email communication.
• Good writing skills.
• Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Resilience and ability to cope with work pressure.
• Willing to work in the communities/field sites.

Responsibilities

• conduct scheduled household visits and other assigned field activities.
• administer study questionnaires and ECD assessments according to approved procedures.
• accurately measure and record child and maternal anthropometry as required.
• provide appropriate counselling and guidance to mothers and caregivers using approved messages.
• build rapport with mothers, children, caregivers, and community members.
• explain study activities clearly and obtain informed consent before procedures.
• enter or record data using paper-based or electronic tools.
• review collected information for completeness and resolve missing responses.
• attend training, refresher sessions, and team meetings.
• perform other field-related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

MS Office

Writing skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Data collection tools

Job description

Job Description:

Introduction

The Outreach and Research Programme of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health has ten community-based field sites across Pakistan (including four in Karachi) and focuses on research for betterment of women and child health. The Department has a Nutritional Research Laboratory as well as an Infectious Disease Research Laboratory that cater to the needs of its research projects. It has well-acclaimed work to its credit both at the national and international level.
As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible to:

• conduct scheduled household visits and other assigned field activities
• administer study questionnaires and ECD assessments according to approved procedures
• accurately measure and record child and maternal anthropometry, including weight, height/length, and mid-upper arm circumference, where required
• provide appropriate counselling and guidance to mothers and caregivers using approved study messages and materials
• build a comfortable and respectful rapport with mothers, children, caregivers, and community members
• explain study activities clearly and obtain informed consent before conducting any procedures
• enter or record complete and accurate data using paper-based or electronic data-collection tools
• review collected information for completeness and resolve missing or unclear responses promptly
• attend training, refresher sessions, team meetings, and quality-control activities
• perform other field-related duties assigned by the supervisor
• conduct scheduled household visits and other assigned field activities.
  

Requirement

You should have:

• at least Bachelor’ s degree, preferably in an administrative field
• One – Two years of relevant work experience
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in MS Office suite and email communication
• Good writing skills.
• Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks effectively
• Resilience and ability to cope with work pressure
• Willing to work in the communities/field sites

Requirements: