Data collector of STEPS Survey on Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases, Ethiopian Public Health Institute (38) Vacancy Announcement

Job Type: Full-time

Required number: Thirty-eight (38)

Duration: Three months

Location: Across the country (in the assigned field areas)

Reports to: Health System and Reproductive Health Research Directorate/EPHI

Required number of data collectors based on speaking capability of local language.  

Background:

There has been a significant increase in the burden of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa over the past couple of decades. The burden is associated with increased incidence of risk factors such as unhealthy diets, reduced physical activity, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and air pollution. The adverse impact of NCDs is multifaceted as it affects the health, economic and social development of a country. Urgent attention is needed to work towards generating reliable epidemiological estimates of NCDs and their drivers to appropriately inform prevention and control strategies. Evidence on the magnitude and trends through time is an important input for developing and implementing feasible policies, strategies, and programs that help to achieve the SDG target of a one-third reduction in premature deaths from NCDs by 2030.

To achieve the SDG targets evidence needs to be generated on the implementation status of programs, strategies, and drivers and challenges that helps the government to monitor and evaluate various health intervention endeavors. WHO has developed a surveillance framework to identify the risk factors as a main pillar in the fight against NCDs by focusing on primary prevention through comprehensive, population-wide programs targeting the major risk factors.

The present study that is going to be conducted soon will highlight the magnitude of NCDs that will alert health workers and decision makers to take appropriate measures to strengthen the strategies, follow-up the prevention and control programs of NCDs, and track the progress of national targets. The study will also help to monitor the progress and trends of NCDs and their risk factors. To address the set agenda in HSTP,  the Ethiopian Public health Institute (EPHI) is getting ready to conduct nation-wide NCD STEPS survey. As our country is diverse and endowed with different languages, the data will be collected using local languages namely, Afarigna, Afan Oromo, Amharic, Sidamigna, Somaligna and Tigrigna. Therefore, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute is looking to hire data collectors of NCD STEPS on contractual basis.

Major duties and responsibilities:

.  Attend all training sessions for Interviewers and get involved in questionnaire pre-testing;

.  Visit selected households and brief household members on purpose of the  survey;

.  Select a participant from all eligible members within a selected household using the tablet;

.  Inform the selected participant using the participant information form and obtain his/her consent;

.  Conduct the interview and record results for Step 1;

.  Take measurements and record results for Step 2;

.  Make appointment for Step 3 and provide instructions for correct collection of urine sample, and inform participant on correct method of fasting for blood sample test;

.  Receiving urine samples from participants and ensuring proper labeling for further processing and shipment;

.  Performing finger prick and recording results for Step 3 on the
tablet;

.  Ensure consistency of assigned participant identification numbers for all data and labels;

.  Ensure care is taken for survey equipment, supplies, and the collected data;

.  Maintains good team spirit with the assigned team members;

.  Experience with previous community based health survey is an asset;

.  Must be able and willing to remain in the field for three months;

.  Reports all best practices and challenges to the team leader;

.  Perform other relevant tasks as assigned by field coordinator.

.  BSc in Medical Laboratory who can bring official letter of release from his/her employer;

.  Experience in delineating enumeration areas and listing households;

.  Good oral and written communication skills;

.  Speaking capability of local language is an asset;

.  Previous experience in electronic data collection is advantageous.