JOB ADVERT

Title: Research assistant for qualitative study (bilingual)

Location: Center and West regions / Cameroon  

Reports to: Input study Coordinator

Contract Duration: 5 months beginning in February 2021

Terms of Offer: This consultancy is remunerated on local terms.

"Sometimes in life there is that moment when it's possible to make a change for the better. This is one of those moments."

-Elizabeth Glaser

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is a global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV and AIDS, working in 15 countries and at over 5,500 sites around the world to prevent the transmission of HIV to children, and to help those already infected. Today, because of the highly successful work of the Foundation and its partners, pediatric AIDS has been virtually eliminated in the United States. With a growing global staff of over 1,000—nine of 10 who work in the field—the Foundation’s global mission is to eliminate pediatric HIV and AIDS by implementing HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs; further advance innovative research; and to execute strategic and targeted global advocacy activities to bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide.

Project description

The goal of the UNITAID CAP-TB project is to reach more children who are suffering from tuberculosis (TB) by using innovative models of TB care for children and improving the market for child-friendly TB medicines. One innovative research project is the integration of pediatric TB services into child healthcare units and at all the child entry point in health facilities (INPUT study). The INPUT study is a cluster-randomized intervention study using a stepped wedge design to compare two strategies for case detection and management of tuberculosis in children under the age of 5 years. This study will compare the standard of care, which offers pediatric TB services based on current routine approach in the country and the intervention, which will offer pediatric TB services integrated into key child healthcare services, as part of the UNITAID CaP TB package.

Summary of the Consultancy

The research assistant for the qualitative study will be responsible for conducting the qualitative surveys among INPUT study participants. He will be stationed in one of the two study regions and will conduct interviews at the sites participating in the study (Soa, Akonolinga, Mbouda, Dschang). Under the supervision of the research monitor and study coordinator, he / she will work with the hospital TB focal point and community health workers (CHWs) to implement qualitative research activities according to protocol and to the procedures. He / she will be primarily responsible for selecting, obtaining consent and conducting qualitative interviews, including registration and follow-up of participants, data collection respecting ethical rules and confidentiality, and compliance with study procedures. He / she will also help to ensure the protection of the health, safety and well-being of the children participating in the trial as per protocol. He / she will report on the study implementation to the research monitor, the data manager, the study coordinator and the principal investigator.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and include eligible participants in the study.
• Accurately collect and document the informed consent of each participant.
• Extract the information necessary for the study from the various available source documents.
• Ensures the storage and secure archiving of research documents.
• Ensure the conduct of in-depth interviews with participants
• Ensure the transcription of the recordings of the interviews in French or in English
• Ensure the translation of the interviews conducted in French or English
• Ensure secure storage of data collection tools and participant records.
• Maintain good relations with participants, hospital staff and others involved in the study.
• Perform any other task assigned by the supervisor in connection with the study.

Required Qualifications

• Have a bachelor degree in social sciences or equivalent
• An additional degree in public health or in a relevant field will be appreciated.
• At least two years of experience in the practice of social science surveys is required
• Experience or good knowledge of tuberculosis will be highly appreciated
• Experience in clinical or operational research will be highly appreciated.
• General knowledge of good clinical practice, and ethics in human health research will be highly appreciated.
• A good command of computer tools and office software such as the Microsoft Office suite is required.
• A professional level of written and oral expression in French and English is required.
• Be professional and have good communication skills with the public, doctors and other collaborators.
• Be comfortable working late and on weekends
• Living in one of the study regions is imperative.

Evaluation Criteria

The selection will be made based on the following criteria:

How to Apply

Kindly submit a CV and Cover letter to CameroonProcurement@pedaids.org with subject title "Research assistant for qualitative study"

Kindly specify at the Top of your CV the region / site you are more comfortable working.

Deadline for submission January 28^th, 2021