Program Description: The Research Care and Training
Program (RCTP), is collaboration between Kenya Medical Research Institute
(KEMRI), University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and University of
Washington (UW).
RCTP is
seeking motivated, proactive individual with research experience to fill the
following vacancy for a Qualitative Research Assistant for a project known
as SEARCH (The Sustainable East Africa Research in Community Health) study.
SEARCH is a
community cluster randomized trial in Uganda and Kenya of widespread early
community wide antiretroviral therapy (ART) vs. standard of care, where primary
endpoints will include both community health and community economic status.
SEARCH will
include a qualitative evaluation to examine how the intervention is being
implemented in different community contexts, and to explore how the
intervention is affecting community contexts.
Position: Qualitative
Research Assistant
Reports to: Qualitative Research
Coordinator
Location: Suba, Mbita, Rongo and
Uriri
Duration: One year
contract-Renewable
Vacancy No: FN-04-01-2014
Job Summary: The Qualitative Research Assistant
is responsible for recruiting study subjects under the direction of the
Qualitative Research Coordinator, assisting the Qualitative Research
Coordinator with the conduct of focus groups and participant observation and
with organizing the conduct of in-depth interviews, conducting transcription
and translation of recorded interviews and discussions; assisting Coordinator
to ensure that the recruitment and retention goals of the study are met;
carrying out administrative duties as needed; and if skills and interests align
and scheduling permits, participating in data coding and analysis.
Key Requirements:
Education
- Minimum: Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in the Social Sciences, Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, Agriculture, Nutrition or other relevant field. Master’s degree a plus.
Prior Work Experience:
- Prior work experience on a research study, preferably as research assistant
- Excellent typing and literacy/written communication skills; prior work experience with preparing transcriptions of recordings strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills, including the ability to maintain frequent contact using cell phone, email, and internet-based phone (i.e. Skype).
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in English, Kiswahili, and Dholuo.
- Interest in working in an innovative and demanding environment, with extensive travel within rural sites in southern Nyanza Province.
- Enthusiasm for rural health and/or development work.
- Ability to multitask, problem solve, and work with others to resolve challenges.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to build positive relationships.
- Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with people of diverse cultural backgrounds including rural residents of Nyanza Province.
- Competent with computer software applications including Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and web-based applications (Skype)
- Experience with qualitative data management software (Atlas Ti, NVivo, other) advantageous but not required.
- Motorcycle driving experience advantageous but not required.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist with the implementation of the SEARCH qualitative evaluation in line with Kenyan/KEMRI and US/UCSF regulations and standards.
- Assist with the conduct and coordinating of qualitative research study activities including the recruitment, screening, and data collection for qualitative research study participants according to the study protocol and standard operating procedures.
- Adhere to the principles of ethical research according to human subjects review protocols.
- Scheduling and assisting as needed with the conduct of in-depth interviews of study participants and key informants at SEARCH study sites in Nyanza Province.
- Assisting with the conduct of participant observation at selected SEARCH Community Health campaigns and other community settings as needed.
- Serving as recorder/note taker for focus group sessions with Community Health Campaign participants; serving in facilitation role as needed.
- Carry out administrative duties as needed under the supervision of the Qualitative Research Coordinator.
- Other duties as specified by the investigators.
If time and budgeting allow: code transcripts and participate in
analysis of qualitative data in conjunction with UCSF and KEMRI investigators
and project coordinators using Atlas.ti qualitative research software.
Applications should include the
following:
- A cover letter with current position and salary (if applicable), and date available
- A current CV
- At least two letters of recommendation
- Copies of official certificates
- Copy of the latest pay slip
- Names and telephone contacts of at least 3 referees
- An email address and a telephone number (land line or mobile)
- 3 writing samples, representing original work of the applicant (i.e. no co-authorship)
RCTP is
seeking motivated, proactive individuals with research experience to fill the
following vacancy for a Qualitative Research Coordinator for a project
known as SEARCH (The Sustainable East Africa Research in Community Health)
study.
SEARCH is a
community cluster randomized trial in Uganda and Kenya of widespread early
community wide antiretroviral therapy (ART) vs. standard of care, where primary
endpoints will include both community health and community economic status.
SEARCH will
include a qualitative evaluation to examine how the intervention is being
implemented in different community contexts, and to explore how the
intervention is affecting community contexts.
Position: Qualitative
Research Coordinator
Reports to: Study Manager
Location: Suba, Mbita, Rongo and
Uriri
Duration: One year
contract-Renewable
Vacancy No: FN-03-01-2014
Job Summary: The Qualitative Research Coordinator
is responsible for conducting interviews, focus groups and participant observation;
overseeing recruitment and data collection and management, coordinating the
transcription and translation of interviews; ensuring that the recruitment and
retention goals of the study are met; managing administrative records, study
budget and expenditures; and if skills and interests align, participate in data
analysis and manuscript development.
Key Requirements:
Education
- Minimum: Masters of Science or Advanced Degree in the Social Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Agriculture, Nutrition or Public Health or other relevant field.
Prior Work Experience:
- Experience conducting qualitative interviews, 2-3 years of experience strongly preferred.
- Experience with coordination or management of a research study strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to maintain frequent contact using cell phone, email, and internet-based phone (i.e. Skype).
- Ability to monitor, gather and evaluate information of broad scope and complexity
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in English, Kiswahili, and Dholuo.
- Interest in working in an innovative and demanding environment, with extensive travel within rural sites in southern Nyanza Province.
- Enthusiasm for rural health and/or development work.
- Ability to multitask, problem solve, and work with others to resolve challenges.
- Strong communication, training, leadership skills.
- Strong writing skills.
- Competent with computer software applications including Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and web-based applications (Skype); experience with qualitative data management software (Atlas Ti, NVivo, other) an added advantage.
- Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated competence with managing administrative records.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manage the implementation of the SEARCH qualitative evaluation in line with Kenyan/KEMRI and US/UCSF regulations and standards.
- Conduct and coordinate qualitative research study activities including the recruitment, screening, and data collection for qualitative research study participants according to the study protocol and standard operating procedures.
- Adhere to the principles of ethical research according to human subjects review protocols
- Conducting in-depth interviews of study participants and key informants at SEARCH study sites in Nyanza Province.
- Conducting participant observation at selected SEARCH Community Health campaigns and other community settings as needed.
- Conducting focus group sessions with Community Health Campaign participants.
- Manage financial resources with support from FACES staff.
- Liaison with other local SEARCH teams (e.g., CHC team), study sites, and off-site administrators
- Communicate (e.g., Skype calls) with the Qualitative Study Investigators (UCSF, KEMRI) weekly on the overall data collection progress and other issues, including preparation of a weekly memo
- Provide monthly reports on the qualitative study progress and regularly communicate with the Study Investigators at UCSF and KEMRI, and Co-Coordinators at study sites in Southwest and Eastern Uganda.
- Act as liaison between the Principal Investigators in Kisumu, Nairobi, and San Francisco as well as other Institutional officials and committees for the SEARCH study.
- Other duties as specified by the investigators.
If time and budgeting allow for it: analyze qualitative data in
conjunction with UCSF and KEMRI investigators and project coordinators using
qualitative research software such as Atlas.ti.
Applications should include the
following:
- A cover letter with current position and salary (if applicable), and date available
- A current CV
- At least two letters of recommendation
- Copies of official certificates
- Copy of the latest pay slip
- Names and telephone contacts of at least 3 referees
- An email address and a telephone number (land line or mobile)
- 3 writing samples, representing original work of the applicant (i.e. no co-authorship)
All
applications must be sent electronically to the email address below followed by
hard copies which should be delivered or posted so as to reach the following
address by 24-01-2014:
Human
Resources Manager
KEMRI –
RCTP/ FACES Program
P. O Box
614-40100
Kisumu
Please
write the Vacancy Number indicated in the advert in the Subject Line of the
Email, and on the envelope.
Note: Only short listed candidates will
be contacted.
RCTP or any
of its programs, Studies or Projects does not solicit for Money or any form of
reward for a Job applicant to be considered for employment.
Any such
requests should be immediately reported to the HR department.
Any job
applicant who tries to corrupt our employee during any stage of the staff
hiring process will be disqualified.