Research assistants, Nurse Counsellors & Laboratory technologists

Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) in collaboration with The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) Uganda funded by the Global Fund is implementing a repeat survey of the HIV, sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence status of AGYW aged 10-24 years in selected regions of the country in16 priority districts. The objective of the study is to evaluate if the interventions for AGYW have created changes in the desired impact in terms of behavioural and bio marker indicators. We will also do an Impact evaluation to assess the impact of the AGYWHIV prevention interventions to compare changes in the selected behavioural and biomarker indicator and document the extent to which changes are due to the AGYW HIV prevention interventions implemented in those districts.

Findings from this study will inform continued implementation of AGYW interventions in Uganda and generate data necessary to assess trends in risk behaviours and the sero-prevalence of HIV and syphilis among AGYW; provide an update on the current status of implementation of the AGYW project; show whether there is value for money based on activities implemented so far and show whether or not AGYW interventions have created the desired changes.

This study will use both quantitative and qualitative methodologies and will be conducted in 14 districts in purposively selected regions of Uganda. The districts are Kisoro in South Western Uganda, Tororo, Busia, Jinja, Bukwo, Mbale, Bugiri in Eastern Uganda, Nakasongola, Kalangala, Buikwe in Central Uganda, Hoima in Western Uganda, Amolatar and Otuke in Northern Uganda. We therefore seek to recruit a team of Research assistants, Nurse Counsellors and Laboratory technologists to conduct the data collection activities.

Job Title: Study Coordinator 

Reports to: Principal Investigator

Key responsibilities
•    Coordinate the overall implementation of the repeat AGYW repeat survey and the Impact Evaluation of the Global Fund-supported AGYW Project  
•    Draw schedules for the consultants to conduct field support supervisory visits 
•    Organize the writing of SOPs (if required)
•    Together with the PI, contact and coordinate with local authorities within each district
•    Ensure that quality assurance for all processes is implemented according to the protocol
•    Requisition for research funds from the Finance Management Unit; supervise the cash flow and funds distribution and ensure that all funds are properly accounted for 
•    Provide any logistical support for the field teams
•    Participate in the training of interviewers and team leaders
•    Participate in the writing of the main research report and presentation of findings to TASO, MakSPH and other stakeholders
•    Participate in the preparation of manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.
 
Knowledge, skills and competences
 
•    Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Services Research, Development Studies or an equivalent degree
•    At least 3 years’ working experience in coordinating surveys and project evaluation activities
•    Good communication skills 
•    Ability to work well in a team
•    Willingness to work in fast-paced and occasionally demanding environment
•    Willingness to move to the field to supervise and coordinate activities
•    Possession of a Certificate in Good Clinical Practice and/or Human Subjects Protection is an added advantage. 

2:    Job title: Laboratory Technician

Reports to the Study Coordinator

Key duties and responsibilities
•    Draw blood for HIV and syphilis testing
•    Run rapid HIV and syphilis tests
•    Participate in interpreting HIV and syphilis results
•    Prepare samples for confirmatory HIV testing and ensure they are safely packed for delivery to the Central Public Health Laboratory
•    Participate in field data collection as case may be
•    Any other duties assigned by the data collection team leaders or the Study Coordinator

Knowledge, skills and competences

•    Suitable applicants MUST possess a degree of Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Technology. Individuals that possess a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology or a related field with more than three years’ experience in HIV and/or Syphilis testing may also be considered for this position
•    Must have at least 2 years’ experience in conducting HIV and syphilis testing at static clinics and outreach sites and conversant with rapid HIV and syphilis testing methodologies 
•    Possession of a Certificate in Good Laboratory Practices is an added advantage. 
•    Prior experience with collection of blood samples in a community survey is an added advantage
•    Excellent communication skills with patients and ability to explain sample collection procedures to clients
•    Prior experience with working with adolescents is an added advantage
•    Proficiency in both spoken and written English
•     Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to follow study specific procedures and guidelines reliably
•    Ability to spend an extended period of time in rural areas and away from home
•    Willing to make regular trips to health facilities in the survey districts
•    Ability to work under stringent deadlines and independently with minimal supervision
•    Good interpersonal skills and willingness to work in a team.

Job Title: Nurse Counselor

Reports to the Study Coordinator

Key duties and responsibilities

•    Provide HIV and syphilis pre- and post-test counseling as needed
•    Deliver HIV and syphilis results to individuals tested as needed
•    Refer individuals with HIV and syphilis to appropriate services for HIV and syphilis management
•    Participate in field data collection.
•    Any other duties assigned by the data collection team leaders or the Study Coordinator

Knowledge, skills and competences
•    Suitable applicants MUST possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or related degree Individuals that possess a diploma in Nursing / Midwifery or a related field with three years’ experience in HIV counseling and testing may also be considered for this position
•    Possession of a certificate in HIV counseling and testing from a recognized Institution.
•    Possession of a Certificate in Good Clinical Practice and/or Human Subjects Protection is an added advantage 
•    Prior experience with working with adolescents and young people is an added advantage 
•    Proficiency in both spoken and written English
•    Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to follow study specific procedures and guidelines reliably
•    Ability to spend an extended period of time in rural areas and away from home
•    Willing to reside in the region for the entire study period
•    Ability to work under stringent deadlines and independently with minimal supervision
•    Good interpersonal skills and willingness to work in a team.

Job title: Research Assistants 
Report to the Study Coordinator

Key responsibilities
•    Properly sample households and enroll study participants as per study protocol 
•    Perform field data collection and management activities, administer informed consent, conduct and complete interviews in accordance with the study protocol
•    Answer questions that the respondents may ask before or during the course of data collection 
•    Collect data and participate in data management processes including validation to ensure quality data collection
•    Conduct Key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, focus group discussion, and desk reviews for the Impact evaluation and Repeat survey of the Global Fund-supported AGYW Project
•    Transcribe qualitative research interviews and participate in qualitative data analysis, where applicable 
•    Provide the Team Leader with daily updates including households visited, interviews completed, and any other important information about assigned participants
•    Any other duties assigned by the data collection team leaders or the Study Coordinator
 
Knowledge, skills and competences

•    Bachelor’s degree in Humanities, Statistics, Public Health, or any other related discipline
•    Proficiency in both spoken and written English and a common local language spoken in that district 
•    Prior experience in conducting face to face interviews
•    Prior experience in collecting quantitative and qualitative data particularly among adolescents and young people.
•    Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to follow study specific procedures and guidelines reliably.
•    Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and observe deadlines
•    Ability to spend an extended period of time in rural areas and away from home
•    Ability to work under stringent deadlines and independently with minimal supervision
•    Possession of a Certificate in Good Clinical Practice and/or Human Subjects Protection and prior data collection experience in the selected region is desired
•    Good interpersonal skills and a

Period of contract: Short term (not more than one month).

Note: Recruitment of Research Assistants will be based on the above-mentioned study regions. Candidates should indicate their region of preference in relation to the language that they are fluent in as they apply for this position. For all the positions above knowledge and skills in electronic data collection is must.

How to apply: Interested persons should send their updated CVs stating one referee and their contacts to the Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health at recruitment@musph.ac.ug not later than Monday, May 8th 2023, 5.00 pm. Please indicate the study name AGYW3 and your name in the subject part of your email.

NB: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted