School of Public Health
College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
Makerere University School of Public Health Makerere University School of Public Health Makerere University School of Public Health

Research Assistants

Date of Validity

Vacancy Details

Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health will conduct two studies titled:

  1. “Advancing Understanding and Measurement of Infertility and Related Fear and Stigma in Uganda.”

The objective is to address knowledge gaps by improving the understanding of infertility levels, stigma, and fears in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa, to potentially inform future interventions to reduce infertility stigma and fear and their profound effects on health and well-being. This study will be carried out in Busoga and Buganda regions.

  1. “Measuring pregnancy preferences among women and men in a resource-limited, high-fertility setting.”

The objective is to improve the measurement of women’s and men’s prospective pregnancy preferences in such settings in sub-Saharan Africa through gender-specific evaluation and adaptation of the Desire to Avoid Pregnancy (DAP) scale. The study will later assess the reliability and validity of adapted DAP scales through testing among women and men in the Mukono and Buyende districts.

The two studies seek to recruit qualified and competent individuals who can work with minimum supervision as Research Assistants to collect trustworthy data for about 2 weeks (sequentially for each study) in the Buganda and Busoga regions of Uganda.

Job title:         Research Assistants

Number:  8

Languages:  Luganda (2 Females, 2 Males) and Lusoga (2 Females, 2 Males)

Report to: Study Coordinator

Main role: Working together with the project investigators and coordinator to collect quality data and ensure the successful implementation of the study.

Key Specific Responsibilities

  • Fully attend all interviewer training and tool field testing sessions and all debrief meetings.
  • Re-introduce the study to the district leadership and obtain clearances to enter communities
  • Introduce the study to the local council 1 leadership  
  • Mobilize and inform the selected participants and obtain written informed consent.
  • Conduct interviews and ensure quality control of the data collected.  
  • Ensure safe custody of signed informed consent forms, audio files and field notes
  • Transcribe the audio file data and submit fully proofread transcripts.
  • Conduct timely follow-up of study participants.
  • Provide the coordinator and investigators with daily field updates
  • Write and submit field reports.
  • Obtain, prepare and safely store data collection materials and equipment.
  • Ensure consistency of participant identification numbers for all data.
  • Perform any other duties relevant to this position as may be assigned from time to time through the study coordinator.

Minimum qualifications and experience

  • A bachelor’s degree from a recognized University.
  • Must have experience in collecting qualitative data, transcription
  • Working experience in similar field activities in at least two research projects recently as a qualitative research assistant or supervisor.
    • Having previously participated in field data collection of PMA study data collection is an added advantage (due to the follow-up of PMA participants).
  • Ability to code and analyze qualitative data using Atlas. ti or NVivo is an added advantage.
  • Must possess a valid Certificate in Good Clinical Practice and/or Human Subjects Protection
  • Good oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work well in a team.
  • Must be able to communicate fluently (writing, reading and speaking) in Luganda OR Lusoga languages, and be able to translate to English effortlessly.

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 Languages. Applicants should also clearly state their experience with qualitative data collection in either of the languages.

The training for data collection is expected to start on the 26th of February 2024. 

How to apply: Interested persons should submit their application and updated curriculum vitae (CV) to the link below stating at least one referee and their contacts by Friday, February 9, 2024, at 3.00 pm.  Applications should be addressed to: The Dean Makerere University School of Public Health.

Research Assistant application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNwR94BOmOdGLtWq09LYiT6pGDBC4Cijj_T-LFLt3tT_9scQ/viewform?usp=sf_link  

 

NB: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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