Field based Research Associates (nutrition and community health)

Job Title: Field-based Research Associates (nutrition and community health)

Job Description

The selected candidate will work on a field-based nutrition and public health initiative in the Garudeshwar block, Narmada district, with a focus on understanding and documenting malnutrition, stunting, and positive deviance practices among tribal and rural communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Conducted field visits to villages in Garudeshwar block, Narmada district, to document food habits, hygiene practices, child care, and the use of government nutrition schemes, stay in villages as per research needs
• Identify and document positive deviant families whose children show better health outcomes under similar socio-economic conditions.
• Prepare case studies, narratives, and evidence-based documentation in simple, clear language.
• Support in designing and refining baseline questionnaires in coordination with public health experts and government departments, and monitoring the implementation of varioussectoral programs
• Documentation of nutritional gaps, micronutrient deficiencies, and behavioural factors affecting child and maternal health.
• Engagement with Anganwadi workers, ICDS staff, local NGOs, and community members for data collection and insights, ensuring that relevanttests of B12, D3, intestinal worms, cooking in iron vesels etc., are being done in cases where supplemental feeding is not showing results in overcoming malnutrition or anaemia
• Integration of traditional knowledge and holistic health perspectives (where relevant) with modern public health understanding and mobilise community members for nutritious food and supplements
• Prepare internal reports, briefing notes, and policy-oriented summaries after necessary approvals.
• Coordination with the project team to ensure ethical, collaborative, and accurate documentation of findings.

Nature of Engagement

• Project-based / part-time engagement based at Garudeswar Block
• Field work (travel within the Narmada district)

Desired Profile

• Background in medicine, public health, nutrition, life sciences, or allied fields. Post-graduates preferred
• Strong skills in documentation, writing, and communication.
• Ability to engage with rural and tribal communities sensitively.
• Willingness to travel and work in field conditions.
• Experience with public health programs, nutrition campaigns, or community projects will be an added advantage.