Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health (MakSPH), in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH), under the USAID’s funded Research for Scalable Solutions (R4S) project, will conduct a study titled “Assessment of the Scale, Reach,

Quality, and Cost of Service Delivery High Impact Practices in Family Planning in Uganda” (HIPs Study). Under the HIPS Study, multiple service delivery practices for 3 HIPs (Immediate Postpartum Family Planning, Community Health Workers, and Drug Shops) will be assessed to inform programmatic decisions for scale-up -– either vertically into local or national health systems and policies or horizontally to new geographies or groups.

The project seeks to recruit qualified and competent individuals who can work with minimum supervision as Field Supervisors (5) and Research Assistants (30) to support data collection for about one month in the districts of Mukono, Kampala, Tororo, Gulu, and Kyenjojo.

1. Job title: 5 Field Supervisors (1 Kampala; 1 Mukono; 1 Tororo; 1 Gulu; and 1

Kyenjojo)

Reports to: The Study Coordinator

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

Key Specific responsibilities

• Work alongside the Study Coordinator and other research team members to meet the HIPS study objectives.
• Lead, supervise and support Research Assistants within the supervisor’s jurisdiction.
• Support training of research assistants and pilot data collection.
• Assist in identifying and approving data collection activities at selected health facilities or drug shops.
• Ensure safe custody of both manual and digital data collected and institute quality checks of the collected data.
• Oversee data collected from the field and ensure it is correctly saved in the existing databases on the allocated server.
• Hold daily debrief meetings with the research assistants to assess how the day’s activities proceeded and plan for the following day.
• Ensure quality control of the data collected.
• Prepare and submit daily field reports to the Study Coordinator.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Study Coordinator.

Minimum qualifications and requirements

• A graduate with Bachelor’s degree. Possession of a Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• Experience working in at least 2 recent similar field research activities (less than five years ago) as a supervisor involved in mapping, listing, and conducting interviews at health facilities. Having previously worked on any study under the R4S project is an added advantage.
• A valid certificate in Good Clinical Practice and or Human Subject Research is an added advantage: One of the sites that tests and gives a valid certificate is URL: http://gcp.nidatraining.org/
• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Should be willing to work beyond common office working hours.
• Ability to work well in a team.
• Willingness to move to the assigned field to supervise, coordinate activities and conduct interviews.

Duration: This appointment is valid for the period of data collection, estimated at one month and shall be automatically terminated after.

2. Job title: 30 Research Assistants (Kampala; Mukono; Tororo; Gulu; and Kyenjojo) Report to: Field Supervisor

Main role: Working together with the project research team to collect data and ensure the successful implementation of the study.

Key Specific Responsibilities

• Attend all interviewer training and piloting sessions and all debrief meetings.
• Mobilize and Inform the selected participants and obtain written informed consent.
• Perform field data collection and management activities, conduct and complete interviews and ensure quality control of the data collected.
• Enter all interview information on digital devices and smartphones as may be provided.
• Ensure safe custody of both manual and digital data collected and institute quality checks of the collected data.
• Conduct timely follow-up of study participants.
• Ensuring data collected from the field is correctly saved/uploaded to the allotted server's existing databases.
• Provide the study team with daily updates on data collection and participate in developing daily field reports.
• Obtaining and preparing data collection forms, devices for data collection, supplies and equipment.
• 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 COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures as articulated in the study COVID-19 risk mitigation plan and guided by the Ministry of Health.

Minimum qualifications and experience

• Must possess a bachelor’s degree, diploma, or equivalent from a recognized higher learning institution.
• Working experience in similar field activities in at least one research project recently as a research assistant. Having previously participated in field data collection of any study under the R4S project is an added advantage.
• Experience in collecting quantitative health-related data using electronic devices, including tablets/phones using ODK, is an added advantage.
• Possessing a valid Certificate in Good Clinical Practice and/or Human Subjects Protection is a must.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work well in a team.
• Ability to communicate fluently (writing, reading and speaking) in Luganda, Acholi, Rutooro, or Japhadola.

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 as they apply for this position. Applicants should also clearly state their experience with quantitative data collection.

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 Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 5.00 pm. Applications should be addressed to: The Dean Makerere University School of Public Health.

Field supervisor application link: https://forms.gle/nskC6gMhccurkhUQ6

Research Assistant application link: https://forms.gle/VFgU3jqt7ywxFtVb6

NB: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted