Role: Project Coordinator and Doctoral Candidate  
Number of position: 1
Program: Neurodevelopment and AutisM in South ASia Treatment and Evidence (NAMASTE)
Location: Based in NAMASTE Office with periods of time (max 6 months) spent at University of Manchester, UK
Tenure: 60 months 
Time: Full-time 

About the Project:

NAMASTE is a research project which aims to design and implement a flexible evidenced pathway towards universal health coverage for children with autism, through a program of research, training and capacity building across India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. This is a collaborative research project, led by the University of Manchester in the UK and India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. In Nepal, the ACNS collaborate to conduct this project in Godawari Municipality, Lalitpur district. The evaluation of the digitally-supported detection and care pathway in NAMASTE will be the first of its kind in Low- and Middle- Income Countries (LMICs), disseminated professionally and in the community.  The aim of the project is to build clinical and research capacity and have an impact as a regional research and training hub in South Asia and potentially beyond. 

About the Role:

This is a unique and exciting role on the NAMASTE project which combines the position of Project Coordinator within the NAMASTE project with the opportunity to work towards a PhD via the University of Manchester, UK.

1. Project Coordinator on NAMASTE Project

ACNS is seeking to recruit a Project Coordinator (PC) - Intervention for NAMASTE. The PC is expected to learn interventions, recruit and train a team of non-specialists and lead the field implementation of the intervention. The PC will be required to make frequent field visits and conduct meetings with external stakeholders/ authorities. 

2. Doctoral Candidate, registered at the University of Manchester, UK

The individual will be supported to apply and be registered for a PhD at the University of Manchester. With academic roots stretching back to 1824, The University of Manchester is one of the most respected universities worldwide, welcoming more than 10,500 students from 180 countries outside the UK. The university is at the heart of the city of Manchester, a vibrant and multicultural European metropolis. The University of Manchester has a long tradition of welcoming students from Nepal. The University is recognised as a global powerhouse of research, with 93% of the University’s research activity assessed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the Research Excellence Framework (REF), 2021. International rankings compare universities from across the globe for their research performance and academic reputation. It is among the world’s top 50 universities and one of the world's leading universities for impact towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings, 2022).

The successful candidate will need to work with the project team to develop and submit a PhD proposal to the University of Manchester, UK. This will be assessed by the University Doctoral Academy prior to the PhD placement being formally offered. The PhD will be supervised by two supervisors within the UK and one within Nepal. Tuition fees for the PhD studentship will be covered and a stipend and travel costs will be paid for the time spent in Manchester, UK.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Recruitment, Training and Competency

• Receive training and achieve competency in delivering two evidence-based interventions to families of children with neurodevelopment disorders viz. WHO CST and PASS Plus.
• Liaison with external bodies and government authorities on the district/Municipality level thereby conducting meetings towards intervention/ Community engagement.
• Recruiting of non-specialists including visiting PHCs and conducting presentations for non - specialist workers’ engagement
• Training and conducting competency sessions of non-specialists.
• Supervise non-specialists for the recruitment of caregivers for the intervention services, the coordination of consent during assessments and overall implementation of the research.
• Monitoring sessions delivered for adherence to timelines and quality control.
• Regular supervision of sessions delivered by non-specialist providers for the two above-mentioned interventions.
• Assisting and supporting the team by conducting refresher training as and when required. 
• Ensure ethical compliance with the Nepal Health Research Council and programmatic compliance with the Social Welfare Council and other relevant stakeholders.

Documentation

• Contribute to documentation which includes developing new or refining existing content. 
• Lead the drafting, translation and quality-checking of intervention materials in Nepali and English.
• Supporting digitization of the content which includes blueprinting and synchronizing Nepali and English content. 

Research Outputs

• Become involved in and take the lead in data analysis (qualitative and quantitative), report writing, manuscript preparation, and conference presentations.

Others

• Establish and maintain clear communication and effective working relationships with key external stakeholders, including local service providers, health professionals and collaborators.
• Support ACNS in-house clinical team and conduct clinical sessions.
• Attend clinical meetings/ supervisions/ workshops towards capacity building.
• Work collaboratively with ACNS administrative personnel and participate in ACNS activities and meetings as required.
• Participate and assist in ACNS activities, especially those pertaining to the Intervention.