Job Posting: Cost Specialist/Data Analyst
The Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, established in 1981, is the only self-governing graduate and professional school of nutrition in North America. Its mission is to improve the nutritional well-being of people worldwide through:
- the creation of new knowledge • the application and dissemination of evidence-based information and • the education and training of future leaders in the field
This mission is fulfilled by bringing together experts from the areas of clinical nutrition, social and public policy, and biomedicine. Faculty at the school include biomedical scientists, economists, epidemiologists, nutritionists, physicians, political scientists and psychologists who focus on a myriad of issues with the common thread of nutrition and its role in fostering the growth and development of human populations. The Friedman School of Nutrition is seeking a full-time Cost Specialist/Data Analyst to work on a project relating to the assessment of the quality and programmatic uses of fortified food products used in U.S. Title II food aid programs. The project, called the Food Aid Quality Review, (www.foodaidquality.pbworks.com) is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Office of Food for Peace (FFP). FAQR Phase I, conducted from 2009 to 2011, examined the nutritional needs of beneficiary populations across the developing world and the nutritional quality of commodities currently available to meet those needs, with the objective of improving the quality of Title II food aid commodities and programming. The findings of FAQR Phase I were published as a report, Delivering Improved Nutrition: Recommendations for Changes to U.S. Food Aid Products and Programs (USAID, April 2011), which is available at http://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/agriculture-and-food-security/food-assistance/resources/research-and-policy-papers. The project completed Phase II of research in February 2016, which involved presenting findings and recommendations, implementing many of the recommendations, and testing recommendations through follow-on studies. The current phase, FAQR Phase III, will conclude activities initiated in earlier phases, and will respond to new priorities. Focus areas include: research on the acceptability and cost effectiveness of new food products; testing new formulations of products (compared with existing foods); studying improved packaging and delivery approaches to enhance logistics; organizing consultative and expert meetings to draw on the widest possible expertise and take account of the multiple perspectives on food aid programming; synthesizing state-of-the-art evidence on food-based delivery of micronutrients in environments where food aid is required; and defining and disseminating improved field tools for calculating the cost-effectiveness of products and interventions, including specialized foods. The Food Aid Quality Review (FAQR) Phase III Cost Specialist/Data Analyst will work closely with the FAQR Senior Cost Specialist, Data Manager, Data Analyst, Biostatistician, the Field Research Directors, and the FAQR Project Manager. The analyst will also work with the Principal Investigator (PI) and co-PI of FAQR. The primary role of the Cost Specialist/Data Analyst will be the management of cost data and cost-effectiveness analysis for the field studies assessing the use of food aid products in USAID/FFP Title II programs. Additionally, this person will manage and support further development of a comprehensive cost-projection tool designed to estimate costs of producing and transporting CSB and RUSF products used in USAID/FFP Title II programs and World Food Programme (WFP) emergency operations. This person will help FAQR pilot the tool by conducting analyses, communicating with key stakeholders and potential users, gathering feedback, adapting the tool as needed, and promoting its use among food aid programs. This person may also explore potential web-based systems for applying the cost tool. The cost-projection tool is a FAQR Phase III deliverable. This analyst will also work on two studies, one in Sierra Leone and one in Burkina Faso, focusing on cost-effectiveness analyses and assisting in other analyses as needed. The purpose of these studies is to determine the relative effectiveness and cost effectiveness of four supplementary foods in the treatment (Sierra Leone) and prevention (Burkina Faso) of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and stunting in normal programmatic settings. This is a full-time position, based in Boston, to begin in March 2016 or as soon thereafter as possible.
Basic Requirements:
- 1-3 years of related experience preferred, with emphasis on cost-effectiveness analysis desirable. • Preferably some prior experience working in international nutrition, with knowledge of food aid commodities. • Experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis is a plus. • Master’s degree in economics, agriculture economics, or related field; focus on cost-effectiveness analysis is a plus. • Fluency in Microsoft Excel and ability to learn new software as needed. • Some knowledge of SAS or STATA.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Relevant graduate level training in statistics and data analysis; experience working with large, complex data sets; strong organizational skills. • Ability to work independently under deadlines. • Demonstrated ability to work cross-culturally. • Familiarity with survey research methods. • Knowledge of French would be an asset.
Special Work Schedule Requirements: Occasional research team meetings and reporting deadlines require working beyond normal office hours.
