Assistant Researcher Qualitative Research – Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) Vacancy Announcement

Job Title: Assistant Researcher_Qualitative Research

The Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) was founded in 1970 through the initiative of the Norwegian and Swedish Save the Children organizations seconded by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia. The Institute got its name from the Norwegian physician, Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who first described the leprosy bacillus (Mycobacterium leprae). AHRI reorganized by the decree of the Council of Minister’s Regulation No. 376/2016 as biomedical research, clinical trial and research capacity building under the Federal Ministry of Health. AHRI, over its 50 years in service, is well known for its hub function for skill and technology transfer and partnership embracing research agendas with direct impact in the development and transformation of population in Ethiopia and beyond.

The Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Research (MNTD) Division of AHRI has secured a grant from the European Union in collaboration with the Institute Pasteur Paris (IPP), the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), and other collaborators for the project entitled “Serological Testing And Treatment For P. Vivax: From A Cluster-Randomised Trial In Ethiopia And Madagascar To A Mobile-Technology Supported Intervention-PvSTATEM”. The research project sites will be in the Oromia Region, West Arsi Zone, Shashemen Zuria Wereda, Arsi Negele Wereda and Shalla Wereda.

The project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of a new anti-malaria intervention based on Plasmodium vivax serological testing and treatment (PvSTATEM). The social science work package involves a formative study to explore community understanding, local practices, illness and treatment experiences, and socioecological factors related to malaria in the study areas and explore the acceptability of the treatment in the community and health professionals.

Therefore, the MNTD Division is looking for self-driven, motivated, innovative, and energetic qualitative researchers to perform tasks related to formative research.

Description of Roles and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work closely with the project team members. The research assistant is expected to perform the following tasks.

·         Communicate with stakeholders around the study area including study participants to facilitate the data collection process

·         Creating and maintaining good rapport with people in the communities hosting the study.

• Identify and qualify research participants for the data collection

·         Orient the local field assistants on the objective of the study and data collection instruments to come to get their full support

·         Collecting qualitative data using various methods including in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and transect walks.

·         Check the quality of qualitative data collected at spot and take corrective actions if there is any deviation/problem

·         Transcribing interviews verbatim in the original language

·         Translating transcripts from local language to English

·         Prepare and submit periodic progress reports to project coordinator (s), social science WP leader and the project PI

·         Producing quality field notes and write study reports

·         Submitting all forms of data to REDCap.

·         Perform qualitative coding and analysis using software with support from senior experts.

·         Assist the social science WP leader in scientific manuscript write up and technical reports

·         Perform any assignments given by the PI

Required Qualifications and Experience

·         MPH or MA degree or above in Public Health, Sociology, Anthropology or other Social Science fields

• At least two years proven work experience as a qualitative researcher.

·         Experiences in qualitative study specially data collection tools, real time data capturing tools (REDCap), field data collection, data transcription, translation and manuscript write up

·         Experience in project activities

·         Experience in qualitative data analysis Software (MAXQDA, Nvivo, ATLAS.ti, etc)

·         Excellent oral and written communication skills of English and Afan Oromo languages.

Other Competencies

·         Strong computer literacy (MS office: Word, Excel, Power Point and internet use)

·         Excellent interpersonal communication skill

·         Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels

·         Ability to work with others/team work, including international collaborators

Positions available: 3 (three)

Duty station: Addis Ababa with a frequent travel to the field (study sites) and may stay for months in the field

Salary: ETB 15,767.00

Terms of employment: One year contract period with full time employment basis with possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability