RCTP Nyanza Qualitative Research Coordinator (Suba, Mbita, Rongo and Uriri) Job Vacancy

Program Description: The Research Care and Training Program (RCTP), is collaboration between Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and University of Washington (UW). 

RCTP leads the Family AIDS Care and Education Services (FACES) program, a comprehensive HIV prevention, care and treatment program working in over 100 clinics in Nyanza Province, Kenya.
 

RCTP is seeking motivated, proactive individuals with research experience to fill the following vacancy for a Qualitative Research Coordinator for a project known as SEARCH (The Sustainable East Africa Research in Community Health) study. 

SEARCH is a community cluster randomized trial in Uganda and Kenya of widespread early community wide antiretroviral therapy (ART) vs. standard of care, where primary endpoints will include both community health and community economic status. 

SEARCH will include a qualitative evaluation to examine how the intervention is being implemented in different community contexts, and to explore how the intervention is affecting community contexts.
 

Position: Qualitative Research Coordinator
 

Reports to: Study Manager
 

Location: Suba, Mbita, Rongo and Uriri
 

Duration: One year contract-Renewable
 

Vacancy No: FN-03-01-2014
 

Job Summary: The Qualitative Research Coordinator is responsible for conducting interviews, focus groups and participant observation; overseeing recruitment and data collection and management, coordinating the transcription and translation of interviews; ensuring that the recruitment and retention goals of the study are met; managing administrative records, study budget and expenditures; and if skills and interests align, participate in data analysis and manuscript development.

Key Requirements:
 

Education

• Minimum: Masters of Science or Advanced Degree in the Social Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Agriculture, Nutrition or Public Health or other relevant field.

Prior Work Experience:

• Experience conducting qualitative interviews, 2-3 years of experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with coordination or management of a research study strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to maintain frequent contact using cell phone, email, and internet-based phone (i.e. Skype).
• Ability to monitor, gather and evaluate information of broad scope and complexity
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in English, Kiswahili, and Dholuo.
• Interest in working in an innovative and demanding environment, with extensive travel within rural sites in southern Nyanza Province.
• Enthusiasm for rural health and/or development work.
• Ability to multitask, problem solve, and work with others to resolve challenges.
• Strong communication, training, leadership skills.
• Strong writing skills.
• Competent with computer software applications including Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and web-based applications (Skype); experience with qualitative data management software (Atlas Ti, NVivo, other) an added advantage.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated competence with managing administrative records.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the implementation of the SEARCH qualitative evaluation in line with Kenyan/KEMRI and US/UCSF regulations and standards.
• Conduct and coordinate qualitative research study activities including the recruitment, screening, and data collection for qualitative research study participants according to the study protocol and standard operating procedures.
• Adhere to the principles of ethical research according to human subjects review protocols
• Conducting in-depth interviews of study participants and key informants at SEARCH study sites in Nyanza Province.
• Conducting participant observation at selected SEARCH Community Health campaigns and other community settings as needed.
• Conducting focus group sessions with Community Health Campaign participants.
• Manage financial resources with support from FACES staff.
• Liaison with other local SEARCH teams (e.g., CHC team), study sites, and off-site administrators
• Communicate (e.g., Skype calls) with the Qualitative Study Investigators (UCSF, KEMRI) weekly on the overall data collection progress and other issues, including preparation of a weekly memo
• Provide monthly reports on the qualitative study progress and regularly communicate with the Study Investigators at UCSF and KEMRI, and Co-Coordinators at study sites in Southwest and Eastern Uganda.
• Act as liaison between the Principal Investigators in Kisumu, Nairobi, and San Francisco as well as other Institutional officials and committees for the SEARCH study.
• Other duties as specified by the investigators.
• If time and budgeting allow for it: analyze qualitative data in conjunction with UCSF and KEMRI investigators and project coordinators using qualitative research software such as Atlas.ti.

Applications should include the following:

• A cover letter with current position and salary (if applicable), and date available
• A current CV
• At least two letters of recommendation
• Copies of official certificates
• Copy of the latest pay slip
• Names and telephone contacts of at least 3 referees
• An email address and a telephone number (land line or mobile)
• 3 writing samples, representing original work of the applicant (i.e. no co-authorship)

All applications must be sent electronically to the email address below followed by hard copies which should be delivered or posted so as to reach the following address by 24-01-2014: 

hrrctp@kemri-ucsf.org

Human Resources Manager
KEMRI – RCTP/ FACES Program
P. O Box 614-40100
Kisumu

Please write the Vacancy Number indicated in the advert in the Subject Line of the Email, and on the envelope.

Note: Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
 

RCTP or any of its programs, Studies or Projects does not solicit for Money or any form of reward for a Job applicant to be considered for employment. 

Any such requests should be immediately reported to the HR department. 

Any job applicant who tries to corrupt our employee during any stage of the staff hiring process will be disqualified.