Qualitative Research Assistant

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 individual with research experience to fill the following vacancy for a Qualitative Research Assistant 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 Assistant

Reports to: Qualitative Research Coordinator

Location: Suba, Mbita, Rongo and Uriri

Duration: One year contract-Renewable

Vacancy No: FN-04-01-2014

Job Summary: The Qualitative Research Assistant is responsible for recruiting study subjects under the direction of the Qualitative Research Coordinator, assisting the Qualitative Research Coordinator with the conduct of focus groups and participant observation and with organizing the conduct of in-depth interviews, conducting transcription and translation of recorded interviews and discussions; assisting Coordinator to ensure that the recruitment and retention goals of the study are met; carrying out administrative duties as needed; and if skills and interests align and scheduling permits, participating in data coding and analysis.

Key Requirements:

Education

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in the Social Sciences, Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, Agriculture, Nutrition or other relevant field. Master’s degree a plus.

Prior Work Experience:

• Prior work experience on a research study, preferably as research assistant
• Excellent typing and literacy/written communication skills; prior work experience with preparing transcriptions of recordings strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills, including the ability to maintain frequent contact using cell phone, email, and internet-based phone (i.e. Skype).
• 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.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build positive relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with people of diverse cultural backgrounds including rural residents of Nyanza Province.
• 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) advantageous but not required.
• Motorcycle driving experience advantageous but not required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the implementation of the SEARCH qualitative evaluation in line with Kenyan/KEMRI and US/UCSF regulations and standards.
• Assist with the conduct and coordinating of 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.
• Scheduling and assisting as needed with the conduct of in-depth interviews of study participants and key informants at SEARCH study sites in Nyanza Province.
• Assisting with the conduct of participant observation at selected SEARCH Community Health campaigns and other community settings as needed.
• Serving as recorder/note taker for focus group sessions with Community Health Campaign participants; serving in facilitation role as needed.
• Carry out administrative duties as needed under the supervision of the Qualitative Research Coordinator.
• Other duties as specified by the investigators.
• If time and budgeting allow: code transcripts and participate in analysis of qualitative data in conjunction with UCSF and KEMRI investigators and project coordinators using Atlas.ti qualitative research software.

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.