Data Manager

Data Manager

Possible is a collaboration that develops and tests innovations to improve health in Nepal by
directly responding to local concerns, while drawing from and contributing to the broader
disciplines of global health research, practice, and policy. Our partnership is between an
independent Nepal-based non-governmental organization and a US-based non-profit. Possible
envisions a world where everyone, everywhere has access to high-quality healthcare rooted in
evidence, inclusion, and equity. As such, we engage in rigorous and collaborative research and
innovation to address evidence, implementation, and policy gaps in the equity, quality, and
accessibility of healthcare. Our research endeavors and partnerships aim to address challenges
in context and from stated or established needs. Our first commitment is to develop and deploy
interventions that improve health (rather than prioritize academic outputs that may be novel
and methodologically sound but do not directly improve healthcare). We partner with
community-based organizations, public and private sector academic institutions and research
organizations to leverage research and evidence to inform and implement innovative solutions
to healthcare challenges in Nepal. For the last 16 years, we have been a leader in healthcare
innovation in Nepal, conducting implementation research with partnerships spanning several
international institutions such as Harvard Medical School, University of California San Francisco,
Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and University of Washington.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Possible, a non-governmental organization registered in Nepal, is seeking a Data Manager to
strengthen our data systems across various research and innovation projects implemented with
our partners. Most of the data we collect pertains to intervention and implementation research,
with a focus on behavioral interventions. The Data Manager will work closely with the research
team and advisors to build a robust data management ecosystem at Possible, aligning with both
internal standards and National Institute of Health data requirements. The ideal candidate will
be an advocate for Possible’s mission, vision, and values.
Reports to: Executive Director/ Associate Scientist
Direct Reports: Data Analyst/ Officer
Working closely with: Possible team, Advisors, and Partners
Location: Kathmandu with 30-40% travel to the partner sites

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Data Manager will work closely with the research team advisors, partners and relevant
stakeholders to be chiefly responsible for the following areas of work:

1. Strengthen the data system from the development, rollout, and evaluation of
intervention and implementation research protocols at Possible and partner sites,
including all data processes, analysis, and write-up for manuscripts.
a. Serve as a primary contact person for quantitative study design and data management
system for intervention and implementation research at Possible;
b. Lead as well as support in the submission of IRB applications for different intervention
and implementation research projects working in collaboration with multiple team
members, to develop research protocols with a strong data management plan;
c. Lead data collection tools development and validation process, including the function
for overseeing their translation and adaptation for Nepal;
d. Coordinate and collaborate with multiple partners (including government as and when
required) for data collection and/or data extraction, as required by the research
projects;
e. Oversee the coordination of field logistics required for data collection/extraction, data
quality checks, and validation pre and post intervention research;
f. Ensure ethical conduct of research by setting up a mechanism to do so based on the
protocols approved by institutional review boards;
g. Set up a mechanism to ensure that data management across different research projects
at Possible adheres with data SOPs;
h. Lead in strengthening and updating Possible longitudinal data SOPs and subsequently
operationalize the defined standards, working together with the research team,
advisors, and our partners;
i. Work closely with Biostatistician, Data Analyst, Research Managers, Advisors, and digital
partner, coordinate across the research projects for data collection, management and
analysis which involves building the digital data collection platform/s including
preparation of design document, setting up the data collection process, training to the
research team, data collection, cleaning, data processing, data analysis, interpretation
and report writing for different research projects whilst ensuring that the approaches
used align with Possible’s data SOPs;
j. Lead appropriate integration and transition of data, tools, and templates in existing and
new systems (e.g. CommCare to Community Health Toolkit, REDCap to Open MRS, etc);
k. Engage with different stakeholders and partners to support the team in collecting
feedback and inputs in our research protocols;
l. Coordinate and support qualitative data collection process as and when required;
m. Discuss the progress and challenges in data system and SOPs with the team and lead in
strengthening with the team’s support.

2. Develop and institutionalize data collection platforms, quality assurance mechanisms
through research capacity development of team members and partners, alongside the
maintenance of data repository system in place.

a. Lead the discussions with our team and partners to provide input on identifying the data
needs of different research projects;
b. Co-lead or support team members in designing questionnaires on digital platforms;
c. Support in establishing data quality assurance across all the research projects involving
but not limited to regular field visits for data quality assessment;
d. Travel to project implementation sites to learn, understand, iterate, and improve
implementation and data quality processes;
e. Train and orient program and research team on data collection tools, and data quality
and validation measures;
f. Support in capacity building of the team members by planning and conducting team
orientation on quantitative data handling, working with the team to prepare a data
collection and analysis plan; and supporting in triangulating data from different sources
including qualitative data;
g. Support in capacity building of direct report on standard procedures for data handling
and process documentation;
h. Support in capacity building of the partners and the stakeholders engaged in different
research projects on using digital platforms, assuring data quality, data extractions,
cleaning, and descriptive analysis as per the project M&E plan;
i. Ensure that the quantitative data from across the research projects are rightly stored,
encrypted, and protected in data repository system and update them periodically;
j. Lead implementation of data management and sharing plan, including data archiving
and storage as per the National Institute of Health’s latest requirement.

3. Support in building Possible’s workplace culture and strategic partnership, generating
additional resources, and revenue, and support multiple projects to advance research and
innovation.

a. Contribute to writing research and non-research grants to strengthen our research in
support of equitable health access for vulnerable groups;
b. Support Possible team and advisors to plan and further research on health access,
quality, and equity for vulnerable groups;
c. Contribute to advancing Possible vision, mission, and goals by supporting partners’
mapping and strategic engagement for ongoing and upcoming research;
d. Contribute to research efforts that advance social justice in Nepal, and globally;
e. Support in building organization systems, accountability structures, workplace practice,
and culture rooted in equity, justice, and diversity;
f. Participate in internal and external working groups and ad-hoc team meetings to
address urgent and emerging needs for organizational growth;
g. Contribute to improve our research model, partnership, and organization systems;
h. Guide the team to think critically about putting people at the center of our work and
research;
i. Contribute to maintaining legal, regulatory, and governance compliance as required;
j. Collaborate with other organizations in Nepal and abroad to jointly expand and
strengthen the information system management Lead and support research team,
advisors, and partners as needed in disseminating quantitative research findings at
different platforms.
The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive, and the Data Manager may be required
to take on additional responsibilities, as determined in discussion with the Executive Director or
their line managers.

Must Haves:

1. Commitment to Possible’s Values, Mission & Vision.
2. A strong understanding of intervention and implementation research: The Data
Manager must have a strong knowledge and training in research methodologies with a
focus on quantitative methods and intervention/implementation research with
longitudinal data collected at different time points. They have experience in research
settings (e.g., academic, think tank, research policy, research NGO/INGO, or research
with the government).
3. Skilled in using software for data collection, management, and analysis (e.g., STATA, R,
SAS, etc.); experience working on different digital data collection platforms (e.g.
REDCap, CommCare, Community Health Toolkit, ODK, etc).
4. Ability to work with a diverse team, and a strong motivation and flexibility to travel to
urban, semi-urban, and remote areas in Nepal

5. Qualifications: A Master’s degree in statistics, public health, or related field; at least five
years of relevant experience; has at least 1-2 relevant published research articles
(preferably as first author); excellent command of written and spoken Nepali and
English; Nepali Citizen based in Nepal

APPLICATION PROCESS

Email CV and cover letter to recruitment@possiblehealth.org. When applying please include
name and position in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until filled.
If we believe that you and Possible are a good potential fit, we will contact you to advance the
application process. Please note that due to a large volume of applications, we may not
individually respond to your application.