Job Advert | Quality Control Officers, Qualitative Data Manager and Research Assistants

Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health (MakSPH) in partnership with TASO under the Global Fund will conduct a study entitled “Access to HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria services: A gender assessment for Uganda”

The main purpose of this study is to assess the national gender responsiveness in the HIV, TB and Malaria response so as to positively influence the quality, efficiency and accountability of gender interventions aimed at addressing the needs of women and girls, men and boys at national and district levels. The data collected will be instrumental in the preparation of the country assessment report on the national disease response to HIV, TB, and Malaria. The findings will also be vital for evidence-based advocacy.

The Study team seeks to recruit responsible, qualified, and competent individuals who can work with minimum supervision to join its team as Quality Control Officers, Qualitative Data Manager and Research Assistants, to support data collection for the period of data collection. The study districts are 10:  Kampala, Masaka, Luwero, Bugiri, Sironko, Amudat, Nebbi, Gulu, Masindi and Kabale.

1.  Quality control officers (2)

Reports to: Study Coordinator

Main role: Working together with Study Coordinator and Investigators to supervise and support field data collection activities.

Specific responsibilities

• Support the training of research assistants
• Review data collection process and collected data
• Ensure that the research assistants collect quality data by following agreed data quality checks.
• Ensure that the collected data are saved in the designed databases on the project server.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Investigators or study coordinator
• Adhere to COVID19 infection prevention and control measures as articulated in the study’s COVID19 risk mitigation plan and as guided by Ministry of Health.

Minimum qualifications and requirements

• Possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. Possession of a Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• Having worked in at least 2 research projects as a quality control officer or similar role.
• Experience in Electronic Data Collection using software like Open Data Kit.
• Must possess a valid certificate in Good Clinical Practice or Human Subject Research.
• Should have at least 3 years’ experience in collecting quantitative or/and qualitative health research.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Highly organized and attentive to detail
• Must be willing to work beyond official working hours in the field
• Willingness to work in fast-paced and occasionally demanding environment
• Ability to fluently speak and read any of the local languages Luganda, Lunyakole-rukiiga, Runyoro, Lumasaba, Lusoga, Alur, Acholi and Pokot

Duration: This appointment is valid for the period of data collection and shall be automatically terminated after.

2. Qualitative data manager (1)

Specific responsibilities

• Support the training of research assistants
• Review data collection tools
• Reviews the collected data both recording and transcripts
• Oversee the qualitative data analysis
• Lead the drafting and finalization of qualitative data report
• Ensure that the research assistants collect quality data by following agreed data quality checks.
• Ensure that the collected data are saved in the designed databases on the project server.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Investigators or study coordinator
• Adhere to COVID19 infection prevention and control measures as articulated in the study’s COVID19 risk mitigation plan and as guided by Ministry of Health.

Minimum qualifications and requirements

• Possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. Possession of a Master’s degree will be an added advantage.

• Having participated in qualitative analysis of least 2 research projects or similar role.
• Must possess a valid certificate in Good Clinical Practice or Human Subject Research.
• Should have at least 3 years’ experience in collecting quantitative or/and qualitative health research.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Highly organized and attentive to detail
• Must be willing to work beyond official working hours in the field
• Willingness to work in fast-paced and occasionally demanding environment

Duration: This appointment is valid for the period of preparation for study, data collection, analysis and dissemination and shall be automatically terminated after.

4. Job title:  Research Assistants (40)

Report to: Field supervisor who then reports to the Study Coordinator

Main role: Working together with Researchers, Field Supervisors, Study Coordinator, and Investigators to collect data and ensure successful implementation of the study.

Key Specific Responsibilities

• Attend all interviewer training and pretesting sessions.
• Screen the selected participants and obtain written informed consent
• Perform field data collection and management activities including transcribing the interview audios.
• Ensure safe custody of both manual and digital data collected and follow all quality checks provided
• Provide the study team with daily updates on data collection and participate in the development of daily field reports
• Pre-test data collection guides, forms and devices for data collection
• Ensuring consistency of participant identification numbers (PIDs) for all data and labels
• Perform any other duties relevant to this position as may be assigned from time to time through the field supervisor
• Adhere to COVID19 infection prevention and control measures as articulated in the study’s COVID19 risk mitigation plan and as guided by Ministry of Health.
• Ability to fluently speak and read any of the local languages: Luganda, Runyakole-rukiiga, Runyoro, Lumasaba, Lusoga, Alur, Acholi and Pokot.

Minimum qualifications and experience

• Must possess a bachelor’s degree or diploma, from a recognized higher institution of learning.
• Worked in at least one research health study/project as a research assistant within the past 3 years.
• Applicants should have demonstrated experience with qualitative data collection techniques such as individual interviews and focus group discussions.
• Experience collecting qualitative data among key populations and adolescents
• Experience transcribing qualitative interviews; from local languages to English
• Possession of a Certificate in Good Clinical Practice or/and Human Subjects Protection is an added advantage.
• Good oral and written communication skills

• Ability to work well in a team
• Willingness to work in fast-paced and occasionally demanding environment
• Ability to fluently speak any of the above listed local languages

Duration: This appointment is valid for the period of data collection and shall be automatically terminated

Note: Recruitment of Research Assistants will be based on the above-mentioned study districts. Candidates should indicate their district of interest and language as they apply for this position. Applicants should also clearly state their experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection.

How to apply: Interested persons should send their application and updated curriculum vitae (CV) to the link below stating two referees and their contacts not later than 26th September 2022, 5.00 pm.  Applications should be addressed to: The Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health

Quality Control Officers application link: https://forms.gle/tTpFwtuccBfpzkZp6

Qualitative Data manager application link: https://forms.gle/jiHB14LFxvU6TzBeA

Research Assistant application link: https://forms.gle/xRnCuzGWLA1VdnKd8

NB: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted