_____________________________________________________________________________________ Vacancy Notice No: IOM/006/10
Functional Title: Consultant – Researcher (Coupon Manager)
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: February – mid May, 2009 (approx. 3.5 months)
1. Background
To date the HIV response has been targeted towards general population efforts, and as such little is known about the risk of HIV infection among most-at risk groups (MARPs) in Kenya.There has been some research around sex work, but these studies tend to recruit Kenyan born sex workers, leaving out a large proportion of the sex work population which comprises migrants including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and undocumented and irregular migrants.Agencies working with sex workers in Nairobi note that these women are not being reached by current HIV programming.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the National AIDS Control Council of Kenya (NACC), the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), the Kenya AIDS Control Project (KACP), University of Nairobi, and the Joint UN Team on AIDS (JUNTA) in Kenya proposes a joint effort in an attempt to obtain the required strategic information for intensifying prevention programmes among this key population, currently overlooked by the national response.The goal of this activity is to provide baseline data to initiate routine HIV surveillance of this group, to be replicated in two to three years.Findings will be reported to all stakeholders and the Ministries of Health (MOH) and information will be used to better target prevention programmes for this vulnerable group.
Results will also contribute towards global efforts in identifying HIV risks and vulnerabilities among migrants and displaced persons residing outside of camp settings.In many countries Integrated Bio-Behavioral Surveillance (IBBS) studies have become an integral component informing the national HIV response.These studies have been shown to be particularly useful in providing information on behaviors among sub-populations who are difficult to reach through traditional household surveys, but who are likely to be at higher risk of HIV infection or transmission, such as sex workers and their clients.
The research will use a methodology called Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) that requires in depth training, monitoring and close supervision of all staff and data collection sites.Due to the technical and logistical challenges of researching inherently marginalized populations, a collaborative approach will be undertaken in implementing this project.Technical experts at the country, regional, and/or global level from respective agencies will provide inputs during each stage of the project. Government officials and local NGOs will assist in providing the necessary permissions for undertaking the research and for accessing marginalized populations
2. Nature of the consultancy
Participate in the implementation of an IBBS survey among migrant FSWs in Nairobi.
Objective: To establish baseline data on key HIV risk behaviors and HIV prevalence among migrant FSWs in Nairobi.
3. IOM Project to which the Consultancy is contributing:
Integrated Bio-Behavioural Surveillance Survey (IBBS) among Migrant Female SexWorkers (FSWs) in Nairobi, Kenya
4. Tasks to be performed under this contract:
Working under the direction of the Field Team Leader (FTL) and under the overall supervision of the Principal Investigator the incumbent will serve primarily as coupon manager in addition to performing other field research related activities.The researcher will be trained in RDS methodology and must have an overall understanding of all components of RDS, including enrollment and eligibility procedures, interviewing processes, management and payment of the incentive, coupon management and steps involved in the collection and management of biological samples.The coupon manager reports directly to the FTL.
The incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
· Build rapport with the respondents to put them at ease.
· Collect and review participant checklist form to ensure that all RDS steps in the assessment have been completed.
· Maintain, organize and record all coupon activity in a detailed coupon manager database.
· Produce coupons for participant by pasting in stickers with the correct coupon identification number and writing in the expiration dates on each coupon.
· Determine from the coupon identification numbers the correct number of coupons to distribute to the participant, on the basis of the participant’s wave (particularly if coupon reduction is used).
· Explain the recruitment process to the participant in great detail.
· Ask network size questions and fill in network size form.
· Pay out the primary and secondary incentives.
· Oversee and record all monetary transactions for the RDS site.
· Recording payment of the primary incentive in the logbook and ensure that there is adequate supply of incentive money available for each assessment day.
· Assess whether the participant had a positive or negative experience during the survey process (exit interview).
· Answer any and all questions regarding the research.
· Complete Non-response questionnaire (if the recruiter reports that one or more of the people he/she tried to recruit did not accept a coupon).
· Ensure confidentiality of information collected.
· Filing, transporting, and maintain documents while respecting the confidentiality of respondents at all times.
· Report to Research Manager on a daily basis.
· Other duties as may be assigned by the FTL and Principle Investigator.
5. Qualifications
Experience
· Knowledge on professional ethics and confidentiality in research and VCT settings
· Experience undertaking qualitative/quantitative and anthropological / social research in the field of HIV and AIDS, including research on hard-to-reach groups in the Somali context not required, but an asset
· Practical experience participating in research projects at field level in collaboration with government and stakeholders not required, but an asset
· Experience with RDS methodology an asset
Education
· High School education
Languages Skills
· Excellent command of spoken and written English.
· Fluent in Somali, Amharic or Oromo (fluency in two of three an advantage)
Skills and Competencies
· Ability to work independently, with flexibility, and meet deadlines.
· Advanced understanding of Microsoft Excel.
· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
· Excellent negotiation and management skills.
· Ability to work in a team and good interpersonal skills.
· Ability to work under time constraints and deadlines in difficult settings.
· Ability to be discrete regarding work assignment details to individuals outside of IOM.
· Ability to maintain confidentiality of information gained during confidential testing and counselling and any other information regarding the research findings until such information has been officially disseminated.
6. Duration and Remuneration
· Travel within Nairobi to data collection sites will be required.
· Flexible hours (possibly very early mornings) as dictated by the research requirements (and possibly subject to change part way through the contract).
· Remuneration will be determined based on skills and experience.
Mode of Application:
Submit well-written cover letter and CV including daytime telephone and email address to:
International Organization for Migration (IOM),
Human Resources Department
PO Box 55040-00200
Nairobi
or send by email to hrnairobi @ iom.int
Closing Date: 15 February 2010
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Any questions on this opportunity please email: kenyanjobsandvacancies@googlemail.com or get us on facebook
Functional Title: Consultant – Researcher (Coupon Manager)
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: February – mid May, 2009 (approx. 3.5 months)
1. Background
To date the HIV response has been targeted towards general population efforts, and as such little is known about the risk of HIV infection among most-at risk groups (MARPs) in Kenya.There has been some research around sex work, but these studies tend to recruit Kenyan born sex workers, leaving out a large proportion of the sex work population which comprises migrants including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and undocumented and irregular migrants.Agencies working with sex workers in Nairobi note that these women are not being reached by current HIV programming.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the National AIDS Control Council of Kenya (NACC), the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), the Kenya AIDS Control Project (KACP), University of Nairobi, and the Joint UN Team on AIDS (JUNTA) in Kenya proposes a joint effort in an attempt to obtain the required strategic information for intensifying prevention programmes among this key population, currently overlooked by the national response.The goal of this activity is to provide baseline data to initiate routine HIV surveillance of this group, to be replicated in two to three years.Findings will be reported to all stakeholders and the Ministries of Health (MOH) and information will be used to better target prevention programmes for this vulnerable group.
Results will also contribute towards global efforts in identifying HIV risks and vulnerabilities among migrants and displaced persons residing outside of camp settings.In many countries Integrated Bio-Behavioral Surveillance (IBBS) studies have become an integral component informing the national HIV response.These studies have been shown to be particularly useful in providing information on behaviors among sub-populations who are difficult to reach through traditional household surveys, but who are likely to be at higher risk of HIV infection or transmission, such as sex workers and their clients.
The research will use a methodology called Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) that requires in depth training, monitoring and close supervision of all staff and data collection sites.Due to the technical and logistical challenges of researching inherently marginalized populations, a collaborative approach will be undertaken in implementing this project.Technical experts at the country, regional, and/or global level from respective agencies will provide inputs during each stage of the project. Government officials and local NGOs will assist in providing the necessary permissions for undertaking the research and for accessing marginalized populations
2. Nature of the consultancy
Participate in the implementation of an IBBS survey among migrant FSWs in Nairobi.
Objective: To establish baseline data on key HIV risk behaviors and HIV prevalence among migrant FSWs in Nairobi.
3. IOM Project to which the Consultancy is contributing:
Integrated Bio-Behavioural Surveillance Survey (IBBS) among Migrant Female SexWorkers (FSWs) in Nairobi, Kenya
4. Tasks to be performed under this contract:
Working under the direction of the Field Team Leader (FTL) and under the overall supervision of the Principal Investigator the incumbent will serve primarily as coupon manager in addition to performing other field research related activities.The researcher will be trained in RDS methodology and must have an overall understanding of all components of RDS, including enrollment and eligibility procedures, interviewing processes, management and payment of the incentive, coupon management and steps involved in the collection and management of biological samples.The coupon manager reports directly to the FTL.
The incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
· Build rapport with the respondents to put them at ease.
· Collect and review participant checklist form to ensure that all RDS steps in the assessment have been completed.
· Maintain, organize and record all coupon activity in a detailed coupon manager database.
· Produce coupons for participant by pasting in stickers with the correct coupon identification number and writing in the expiration dates on each coupon.
· Determine from the coupon identification numbers the correct number of coupons to distribute to the participant, on the basis of the participant’s wave (particularly if coupon reduction is used).
· Explain the recruitment process to the participant in great detail.
· Ask network size questions and fill in network size form.
· Pay out the primary and secondary incentives.
· Oversee and record all monetary transactions for the RDS site.
· Recording payment of the primary incentive in the logbook and ensure that there is adequate supply of incentive money available for each assessment day.
· Assess whether the participant had a positive or negative experience during the survey process (exit interview).
· Answer any and all questions regarding the research.
· Complete Non-response questionnaire (if the recruiter reports that one or more of the people he/she tried to recruit did not accept a coupon).
· Ensure confidentiality of information collected.
· Filing, transporting, and maintain documents while respecting the confidentiality of respondents at all times.
· Report to Research Manager on a daily basis.
· Other duties as may be assigned by the FTL and Principle Investigator.
5. Qualifications
Experience
· Knowledge on professional ethics and confidentiality in research and VCT settings
· Experience undertaking qualitative/quantitative and anthropological / social research in the field of HIV and AIDS, including research on hard-to-reach groups in the Somali context not required, but an asset
· Practical experience participating in research projects at field level in collaboration with government and stakeholders not required, but an asset
· Experience with RDS methodology an asset
Education
· High School education
Languages Skills
· Excellent command of spoken and written English.
· Fluent in Somali, Amharic or Oromo (fluency in two of three an advantage)
Skills and Competencies
· Ability to work independently, with flexibility, and meet deadlines.
· Advanced understanding of Microsoft Excel.
· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
· Excellent negotiation and management skills.
· Ability to work in a team and good interpersonal skills.
· Ability to work under time constraints and deadlines in difficult settings.
· Ability to be discrete regarding work assignment details to individuals outside of IOM.
· Ability to maintain confidentiality of information gained during confidential testing and counselling and any other information regarding the research findings until such information has been officially disseminated.
6. Duration and Remuneration
· Travel within Nairobi to data collection sites will be required.
· Flexible hours (possibly very early mornings) as dictated by the research requirements (and possibly subject to change part way through the contract).
· Remuneration will be determined based on skills and experience.
Mode of Application:
Submit well-written cover letter and CV including daytime telephone and email address to:
International Organization for Migration (IOM),
Human Resources Department
PO Box 55040-00200
Nairobi
or send by email to hrnairobi @ iom.int
Closing Date: 15 February 2010
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Any questions on this opportunity please email: kenyanjobsandvacancies@googlemail.com or get us on facebook
