Vital Strategies - Senior Biostatistician

Vital Strategies - Senior Biostatistician - Consultancy Assignment

The Position

Vital Strategies is seeking qualified a candidate for the position of a Senior Biostatistician. This position is part of the Data Impact Program of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative, which aims to enhance public health data use in low- and middle-income countries.

The Data Impact team is works with the Public Health Department of the Government of Maharashtra to provide capacity development in the domain of data use. As part of this work, the Data Impact Program is supporting the Public Health Department to establish an Advanced Analytics Unit. The Unit will be responsible for producing reports that support the formulation of policies, monitor specific disease trends, and provide technical guidance on dashboard and portal development.

This is a consultancy assignment in Maharashtra. The duration of the assignment will be for 12 months.

General Responsibilities

Working closely with the Data Impact Program country lead, the Senior Biostatistician will assist in optimizing present resources, redefining present public health actions and creating better intelligence for the Public Health Department.

Specific Responsibilities:

Working closely with other members of the Analytics Unit, the Senior Biostatistician will:

- Determine what data are needed to answer specific questions and design methods for collecting such data

- Plan and conduct analysis of multiple data sources to:

- describe and monitor the health status of the population

- investigate changes in health status, risk behaviors and service performance

- evaluate public health programs

- Apply statistical methods to analyze, evaluate, interpret and report conclusions from data

- Design and implement data gathering/management computer systems and software

- Consult with and advise health program staff on analysis of routine program data

- Present data in a variety of formats

- Prepare technical and scientific reports such as annual health reports and topic-specific brief reports

- Prepare data-related materials for public distribution

- Develop standard operating analytic procedures.

- Obtain population estimates for the region and its constituent provinces and districts by relevant age and sex subgroups

- Ensure quality control of data entry

- Provide training and mentoring to develop capacity within the Analytics Unit and in the Public Health Department.

Expected outputs:

- Complete and present at least two health reports

- Draft procedures to replicate analysis of health reports and provide related statistical code

- Draft an internal in-service data analytics training program for the state

Qualities and qualifications:

- Postgraduate qualification in Biostatistics or related qualification

- 5 years post degree experience, preferably in the government health environment

- Knowledge of statistical methods and experience in conducting data analysis using statistical software

- Knowledge of database management

- Knowledge and experience in interpreting and reporting data analyses

- Good English writing skills

- Ability to work with staff at all levels and to communicate complex technical knowledge in a language that is understood by technical and non-technical audiences

- Capable of communicating technical concepts clearly, concisely and understandably

- Strong interpersonal communication and presentation skills

- Ability to effectively collaborate with staff at different levels

- Preference would be given to candidates located in Mumbai and conversant in Marathi.

Term of Service

The Senior Biostatistician will be provided working space in the Public Health Department. S/he will be based at Mumbai as full-time consultant at Arogya Bhavan, T. George Hospital Campus, near CST Station Mumbai. The initial contract will be for 12 months. A three-month probationary period will apply, after which Vital Strategies, in consultation with the Public Health Departments, will decide about completing the contract.