National Study Coordinator at Centre for Health Solutions - Kenya (CHS)

CHS supports the Ministry of Health’s HIV response in HIV prevention, care and treatment. Introduction of new antiretroviral medicines as they become commercially available is a key component in HIV treatment optimization.

Monitoring adverse drug reactions related to new drugs is essential for patient safety. Following reports of adverse birth outcomes among pregnant women using dolutegravir at the time of conception in Botswana, MOH and its partners has been monitoring the situation in the 24 facilities and has developed a protocol to follow up pregnancy outcomes among women who were using peri-conception dolutegravir based regimen.

The objectives of this follow-up assessment is to:

• Compare the prevalence of Neuro Tube Defect (NTD)-affected pregnancies among women with periconceptional Dolutegravir (DTG) exposure to the prevalence of NTD-affected pregnancies among women with periconceptional EFV exposure
• Assess risk factors for NTDs among women with periconceptional DTG exposure compared to women with periconceptional EFV exposure
• Ascertain other adverse pregnancy outcomes after 20 weeks gestation
• Measure the frequency of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women exposed to DTG during pregnancy that fall outside of the periconceptional period

CHS is currently sourcing for a high calibre, self-motivated and dynamic individual to fill the position of National Study Coordinator.

Location: National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), Nairobi

Reporting to: HIV Care and Treatment Manager

Objectives

• Finalize the research implementation plan under the direction of the Principal Investigator in collaboration with various stakeholders
• Process and obtain national ethical approvals, where relevant
• Implement research activities according to the research protocol, coordinating relevant stakeholders
• Support data management and report writing process in collaboration with various stakeholders

Responsibilities and Duties

Objective 1: Finalization of research implementation plan

• Compile relevant study materials developed by various stakeholders
• Coordinate the printing of study materials
• Coordinate the training of study site coordinators and site staff

Objective 2: Obtain national approvals

• In collaboration with key stakeholders, coordinate the ethical approval process with relevant institutions
• Obtain the necessary administrative approvals from national and county government health departments
• Obtain necessary approvals from the facility in-charges in the study sites

 Objective 3: Implementation of research activities

• Manage study operations and ensure research activities are implemented according to study protocol, in strict adherence to the timelines
• Support during training and orientation of research team, data management, quality assurance and lab tests
• Traveling to health facilities and client follow up visits in the study sites as required
• Monthly progress in the form of report, written communication and PowerPoint presentation
• Be the first point of contact for any protocol or operational issues that may arise in the study sites

Objective 4: Support data management, report writing and dissemination

• Support the national team in conducting quality checks on collected data
• Ensure data confidentiality and that confidentiality protocols are not breached
• Timely communication of any protocol violation to the Principal Investigator
• Support the data analysis and report writing including coordination of workshops

Deliverables

Deliverables associated with the above tasks under the objectives outlined in this document include:

• A detailed study implementation plan
• Provide progress status reports to PIs and ethics review boards on a routine basis as required
• Monthly submission of study progress report
• Document and file minutes and all other deliberations of study team meetings

Training/Experience/Clinical Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Clinical medicine or a health-related field of study is required, with Master’s degree as an added advantage.
• Extensive experience in working with national HIV health programmers and offering technical assistance, preferably in the National HIV Program in Kenya
• Familiarity with community research-based principles and minimum 2 – 4 years’ experience in program coordination, volunteer management in a health-related field
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the complexity of issues relating to people living with HIV/AIDS
• Excellent facilitation skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Fluency in English

Duration

12 months:

• 1 month: Study implementation plan and study approvals
• 8 months: Data collection
• 3 months: Analysis & report writing