Research Officer at Ifakara Health Institute Tanzania

Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) is seeking a motivated Research Officer (Social Scientist) to support a project focused on mass dog vaccination (MDV) strategies and community engagement. The successful candidate will play a key role in designing, implementing, analyzing, and reporting social science research activities aimed at improving public health interventions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and conduct qualitative (e.g., interviews, focus groups, observations) and quantitative (e.g., household surveys) research studies.
• Collect, clean, and analyze data using appropriate statistical and qualitative analysis software (e.g., SPSS, NVivo, Atlas.ti).
• Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for program improvement.
• Prepare clear reports, manuscripts, presentations, and policy briefs for stakeholders, funders, and academic audiences.
• Support community mobilization and maintain relationships with local leaders, health workers, and partners.
• Ensure all research activities adhere to ethical guidelines, data protection regulations, and institutional policies.
• Any other duties assigned by the PI.

Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, or another relevant field.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team. Knowledge of research ethics and data confidentiality principles. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and qualitative analysis software (NVivo, Atlas.ti).
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Flexibility to manage multiple research activities simultaneously.
• Good interpersonal skills for building relationships with community members and stakeholders.

Remuneration  

An attractive and competitive remuneration package will be offered to successful candidates as per IHI salary scales.

Equal Opportunity

IHI is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit intentional biases or discrimination and harassment of any kind at the work place and during recruitment. All employment decisions are based solely on job requirements and individual qualifications, and our recruitment process is governed by the labour laws of Tanzania.

Mode of Application

All candidates who meet the above job requirements should send their application letters together with their detailed curriculum vitae (CVs) showing contact addresses including email, telephone/cell phone numbers and copies of academic and professional certificates to the email address below. The deadline for this application is 16:30 hrs on Tuesday, 19 August 2025. All e-mail application subject lines should include: RESEARCH OFFICER – IMPROVING MDVs. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview.

Senior Human Resources & Administration Manager 

IFAKARA HEALTH INSTITUTE

Plot 463 Mikocheni  

P.O. Box 78,373 

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Email: [email protected]