Vacancies in SHARP Kenya

SHARP Study

Study Coordinator

(1 Position)

The SHARP study aims to investigate the use of assisted partner services (APS) and phylogenetic testing to prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis C among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Kilifi, and Mombasa and their environs. We are committed to excellence in our research, and to working with vulnerable populations with the utmost respect and care.

We require all team members to provide ethical and respectful services to vulnerable, key populations, and to maintain flexible hours in order to interface effectively with international partners.

The study coordinator will be responsible for overseeing all daily study operations in Kilifi & Mombasa, including supervising study personnel, maintaining up-to-date study protocols and approvals, and liaising with key stakeholders, both locally and internationally.

S/he will report to the Research Director and Principal Investigator. S/he must be self-directed, working with minimal supervision, and must be committed to providing services and care for vulnerable populations.

Responsibilities will include:

·         Coordinate the development of the site protocol and processes

·         Training staff at multiple study sites

·         Ensure necessary local approvals and renewals are obtained for the study and overseeing human subjects protection

·         Participate in Database development and management, and subsequent site specific data management

·         Coordinate all meetings required for the success of the study

·         Ensure that necessary supplies/materials are in stock for study implementation.

·         Serve as the liaison between the study team, the study Principal Investigators (PI’s), and collaborators.

·         Oversight of study implementation at study sites

·         Coordinate and participate in the data analysis and report writing activities

·         Preparation of study research reports

·         Oversight of community advisory board (CAB) and safety monitoring board (SMB)

Qualifications:

·         Be a registered lab technician, nurse or clinical officer with research experience

·         Prior experience as a research Study Coordinator, or Assistant Study Coordinator – mandatory

·         Certification in Human Subjects Protection and Good Clinical Practice

·         Demonstrated ability to plan, lead, coordinate, and accomplish research activities

·         Strong analytic, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills

·         Ability to work in a team environment

·         Ability to travel to different study sites in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties.

·         Experience working with key populations, particularly people who inject drugs (PWID) is an added advantage

·         Ability to maintain flexible work hours, including occasional nights and weekends, in order to interface with key populations and international partners

Desirable qualities, skills and abilities:

·         Experience with HIV research, antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV testing and counseling (HTC) programs

·         Familiarity with smart phone technology for data collection, including ODK

·         Attention to detail and good work ethic

·         Ability to work with minimal supervision

·         Respectful, punctual, hardworking, conscientious

·         Responsive to multiple communication modalities with international team members

·         Ability to work effectively as a member of a collaborative team

How to Apply

To apply, CLICK HERE to complete our online form and then email your current CV, copies of certificates and testimonials to sharphcv@gmail.com not later than January 11, 2019.

Laboratory Technician

(1 Position)

The SHARP study aims to investigate the use of assisted partner services (APS) and phylogenetic testing to prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis C among people who inject drugs (PWID) Kilifi and Mombasa, and their environs. We are committed to excellence in our research, and to working with vulnerable populations with the utmost respect and care.

We require all team members to provide ethical and respectful services to vulnerable, key populations, and to maintain flexible hours in order to interface effectively with international partners.

The Laboratory Technician will be responsible for handling and processing of study samples in Kilifi/Mombasa on a daily basis, and liaising with peripheral laboratories for testing of samples and follow-up of lab results.

The technician will strictly follow the laboratory SOPs and maintain a laboratory results database and sample inventory. S/he will be report to the Research Director, Laboratory Director and Principal Investigator. S/he must be able to work with minimal supervision and for long hours when necessary.

Responsibilities will include:

·         Carry out routine and specialized laboratory procedures.

·         Specimen processing.

·         Performing separation, cryopreservation and archiving samples.

·         Safe and effective delivery of samples to different laboratories.

·         Ensure laboratory results are entered accurately and in a timely manner on the report forms and into the database and facilitate retrieval of hard copies of data as requested by Principal Investigator, Co-investigators and clinic staff.

·         Prepare samples for storage and shipping as needed.

Qualifications:

·         Diploma or higher degree in Biological Sciences from a major institution of higher education.

·         Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact productively with other team members

·         Excellent Communication skills (written and verbal).

·         Computer literate with working knowledge of Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

·         Experience handling and processing of research samples will be an added advantage

Desirable qualities, skills and abilities:

·         BSc Biological Sciences will be an added advantage.

·         Experience in Good Laboratory practice (GLP) would be an added advantage

How to Apply

To apply, CLICK HERE to complete our online form and then email your current CV, copies of certificates and testimonials to sharphcv@gmail.com not later than January 11, 2019.

Health Advisor

3 Positions

The SHARP study aims to investigate the use of assisted partner services (APS) and phylogenetic testing to prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis C among people who inject drugs (PWID) Kilifi, and Mombasa and their environs.

We are committed to excellence in our research, and to working with vulnerable populations with the utmost respect and care. We require all team members to provide ethical and respectful services to vulnerable, key populations, and to maintain flexible hours in order to interface effectively with international partners.

Health Advisors will be responsible for the data collection activities for the study, including interviews and blood draws. Health Advisors must be comfortable working with PWID in the locations where PWID and their partners live and dwell.

S/he will be report to the Study Coordinator, Research Director and Principal Investigator. S/he must be able to work with minimal supervision and for long hours when necessary.

Responsibilities will include:

·         Screen and enroll eligible HIV-infected people who inject drugs (PWID) enrolled as index participants

·         Perform blood draws for PWID enrolled in the study

·         Conduct interviews with study participants using mobile data entry technology

·         Be responsible for follow up of sexual and injecting partners identified by either home visits or phone calls

·         Perform HIV testing and counseling (HTC) for index participants and partners

·         Maintain familiarity with the protocol and standard operation procedures of the study

·         Provide ongoing counseling and relevant referrals for participant support, including HIV care services, support groups, violence prevention organizations, and more

·         Document clinic, home visits and phone calls on source documents and CRFs

·         Safeguard source documents and CRFs and ensure data quality

·         Participate in community engagement activities and meetings

·         Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly reports as needed by the Study Coordinator

·         Meet the agreed targets

·         Any other duties as directed by Study Coordinator

Qualifications:

·         Certificate in Voluntary Counseling and Testing or HTC from NASCOP

·         Diploma or higher degree in: public health, nursing, clinical officer or other health-related fields

·         Certificate or formal training and experience in phlebotomy

·         Experience in Home-Based Counseling and Testing is desirable

·         Experience in social work and research projects will be an added advantage

·         At least one-year work experience in HTC service provision

·         Willingness to work as a team player

·         Ability to work with minimal supervision

·         Ability to maintain flexible work hours, including occasional nights and weekends, in order to interface with key populations and international partners

Desirable qualities, skills and abilities:

·         Experience working with key populations (particularly PWID) is desirable.

How to Apply

To apply, CLICK HERE to complete our online form and then email your current CV, copies of certificates and testimonials to sharphcv@gmail.com not later than January 11, 2019.

Please note that the appointment is on a one-year contract term renewable on mutual agreement and availability of funds.