Population Council part-time social scientist needed
*Job advertisement: Part-time social scientist*
We are seeking a senior social scientist (academic or independent researcher) to conduct a qualitative study of reproductive health policy change in India, focusing on unintended pregnancy and family planning.
This study forms part of a broader impact evaluation of programmes to prevent deaths from unwanted pregnancy in 14 countries, implemented in India by the Population Council and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The Department for International Development (DFID) in the UK has funded parallel studies on reproductive health policy change in five of the countries included in the programme (Malawi, South Sudan, Pakistan, India and Zambia).These policy studies will examine the processes of reproductive health policy change over a four year period in each of the countries and document the particular role of programmes focusing on averting maternal
deaths from unintended pregnancy play in bringing about these changes.
Drawing on theoretical insights from health policy analysis and the anthropology of policy, these qualitative studies seek to prospectively examine the context, causal processes, results and consequences of reproductive health advocacy and policy work. Study methods will consist of in-depth interviews with key informants from the reproductive health policy arena and analysis of policy and programme documents media analysis and focus group discussions with communities as recipients of policy change.
The study will be implemented on a part-time consultancy basis between 2013 and 2015, with fieldwork in both New Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. The position will involve some travel to Madhya Pradesh for fieldwork and possibly some
international travel. The candidate should be based in India, ideally in New Delhi or Madhya Pradesh, and should be available to spend about 50 days a year on the assignment. Please send a CV, the names of two professional references and a covering letter to Rajib Acharya (racharya@popcouncil.org) by 28 June 2013.
Essential qualifications:
– Postgraduate degree in relevant social science discipline
(anthropology, health policy analysis, possibly political science)
– Proven ability to analyse and disseminate research findings (such
as a publication track record and demonstrable writing competency)
– Excellent knowledge and understanding of qualitative research
methods* and* health policy research
– Good understanding of reproductive health and maternal health
issues in India
– Willingness to spend approximately 15-20 days per year conducting
fieldwork in Madhya Pradesh
– Availability over a three-year period
Desirable:
– PhD
– Experience in conducting in-depth interviews with senior actors
such as health policy makers at international and national levels
– Experience in conducting focus groups and interviews with
community members
– Understanding of the challenges and complexities of conducting
qualitative research on legally and politically sensitive topics
– Excellent writing skills
– Proven ability to work independently, as well as in a team
– Good knowledge of English and Hindi
If interested please contact:
Rajib Acharya, PhD
Associate, Population Council
Core 5A, Ground Floor
India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road
New Delhi, India- 110003
Tel +91 11 24642901/2902/4008/4009
Skype: rajibacharya
racharya@popcouncil.org
www.popcouncil.org
