Research Assistant

Research Assistant

Job Description

AHRI, SHARP project

Skin Health Africa Research Program (SHARP) is a collaboration between the Armuaer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) and Addis Ababa University (AAU) in Ethiopia, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) in Tropical Medicine of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) in the UK. The collaboration aims to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions to improve access to quality care for those living with skin Neglected Tropical Diseases (skin NTDs), with a specific focus on improving early diagnosis and ensuring better, affordable facility-based care and self-management strategies. In Ethiopia, this project is carried out by a team of researchers from AHRI in collaboration with AAU and LSHTM. As part of the project, data will be collected to evaluate the process of community engagement through moderated regular dialogues to improve awareness of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) or other skin NTDs, co-create health messages, and produce Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) educational materials.

Purpose of the position and organizational position

To ensure the effective implementation of the intervention, under the SHARP project, we will conduct a study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of community dialogue for raising awareness of CL and to explore the processes of community dialogue used for co-creation of SBCC materials and strategies, which consists of qualitative data collection and analyses. Additionally, we planned to engage CL champions to improve service uptake, referral, and support for CL suspect patients. To collect data for the indicated research projects, data collectors who are experienced and competent in qualitative data collection are needed. The data collectors are responsible for fieldwork, scheduling interviews, enrolling participants, obtaining informed consent, and keeping both electronically recorded and paper-based collected data safe until reported to the local researcher or PI. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be collected. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) assessment will be conducted before and after community dialogues. Furthermore, the data collectors will perform focus group discussions (FGDs) with CD participants, and in-depth qualitative interviews (IDIs) with CD facilitators and CL champions. Moreover, the data collector with assist in taking filed notes for participant observation. Data will be collected over at least six months at the study site (Kalu district) for the study.

The interviewer also works closely with the researchers from SHARP and a PhD student. He/she is also responsible for maintaining data quality in the field, and daily collected data reporting.

The Role of the Research Assistant

Assist in the SHARP Community Dialogue intervention at Kalu District, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia.

Duties and responsibilities

Data Collection

Identify participants based on eligibility criteria, and obtain consent from study participants

Organize, coordinate, and schedule interviews

Enroll participants in the study following Community Dialogue (CD) sessions.

Assign a participant identification number (PIN).

Fill in KAP questionnaires with CD participants and their family members before and after CD.

Arrange a convenient setting for interviews and focus group discussions.

Moderator and conduct in-depth interviews with Community Dialogue facilitators.

Moderator and conduct focus group discussions with Community Dialogue participants.

Moderator and conduct in-depth interviews with CL champions and suspect CL patients.

Ensure that all sessions are audio recorded (preferably) in English or otherwise the local language.

Maintain respectful interactions with participants and participant confidentiality.

Audio record all interviews, properly manage audio records and send it to the central server.

Transcribe/translate interviews verbatim and upload/send to the server.

Maintain all procedures of data quality and ethical requirements

Hand over the audio recorders and all related documents to the research coordinator when the interview is completed.

Complete missed or incomplete interviews (if any)

Additional tasks as directed by the researcher or study investigators.

Daily debriefing

Participate in daily debriefing meetings (maybe every evening after interviews/FGDs) to discuss with researchers to discuss challenges and possible solutions for next-day activity.

Involve in peer checking meetings for discussion.

Terms and conditions

Salary: As per organizational Scale.

Working place: Base at study area South Wollo and Dessie

Hours of work: are governed by the laws of Ethiopia. However, the nature of the work is such that it might require working overtime and weekends, with due financial compensation.

Holidays: are governed by the rules of AHRI for project workers.

Length of contract: this is six months subject to few-month contract renewals.

Probationary period: there is a 45-day probationary period for this role.

Terms of employment

Full-time, short-term contract (four to six-month), post subject to 45-day probation.

Number Required: 2 (Two)

Duration: March 1, 2024 September 30, 2024

Job Requirement

Qualifications and experience:

MPH/MSc with health-related background or other related fields (Public Health, Nursing or MA Psychology, anthropology, or sociology from an accredited higher education institution.

Preferably, who knows the culture of the Kalu community or ingrown/grew up in Wollo

Strong computer literacy and knowledge.

Strong administrative and field coordination.

Excellent experience in conducting qualitative research/studies.

Excellent experience in transcribing qualitative interviews/data.

Training in good clinical practice (GCP), Research ethics, and data quality control/assurance (preferred).

Personal attributes

Well-organized and passionate about conducting qualitative research.

Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Excellent oral and writing skills in a local language (Amharic) and English.

Ability to follow deadlines, accuracy, documentation, and attention to detail.

Ability to work with others/teamwork, including collaborators.

Willingness to take up additional responsibilities and orientation training as needed.