Field/Community Technologist (Impact Evaluation) at Kenya Medical Research - KEMRI

Vacancy No: CGHR/188/02/21

Program description: The Malaria Vaccine Implementation Program (MVIP) Evaluation in Kenya is a collaboration between the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA (CDC). The vaccine will be implemented by the National Vaccines and Immunizations Program (NVIP) in moderate to high malaria transmission settings in eight counties in Western Kenya: Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay,  Kakamega, Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, and Vihiga. The primary objective of this evaluation is to estimate the effect of the routine delivery of RTS,S/AS01 on allcause mortality in children aged 5-48 months. The MVIP project has a vacancy for Field/Community Technologist in the Malaria Vaccine Pilot Evaluation study;

NO OF POSITION: Four (4) positions,  J/G KRM 8

LOCATION: Homabay, Migori, Busia, Kakamega, Kisumu, Siaya, Bungoma and Kakamega

REPORTING TO: Field Supervisor

Position Requirement:

• Diploma in social science, community health, public health, or any other related field.
• Minimum of 1 year working experience doing community work within the target regions, with good understanding of MOH community health strategies and roles, data collection and management.
• Excellent knowledge and working experience with Microsoft Office suite and tablet based data entry platforms.
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practices, Clinical research, Clinical trial process and related regulatory requirements and terminology.
• Fluency in English and Swahili, written and spoken, with fluency in the local language spoken (Luhya, Teso and Luo) in the study area.
• Ability to ride and maintain a motorcycle

Soft Skills:

• Strong self-motivation and ability to work in a team, with good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines.

Position Description:

The Field/Community Technologist of the Impact on all-cause mortality position requires the incumbent to perform various functions, including data collection and management, with good
understanding of roles and functions of MOH community health strategy and have knowledge in Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) processes, with ability to report accurately and in timely fashion.

Specific duties and responsibilities

The Field/Community Technologist for the Impact Evaluation will oversee the mortality surveillance activities in designated sub counties, and will be required to;

1. Conducting routine Locator forms verification and resolving any identified discrepancy as appropriate.
2.  Implement mortality surveillance quality controls via repeat VR and VR Technical Supervisor interviews, accompanied interviews to ensure appropriate interview conducted.
3. Ensure that the project is conducted in compliance with project protocols and other regulatory requirements.
4. Ensure all deaths in children aged 5-48 months are timely reported and the verbal autopsies are performed on all deaths.
5. Actively provide linkages with the Kenya’s CRVS system, and continuously liaise with relevant CRVS partners on related topics.
6. Ensure that all items and materials necessary for successful conduct of the field work are available at all times.
7. Identify and make available to the Field Supervisor sources of mortality triangulation data, to include interviews of community members and data from separately available vital events and registration data, such as those from facilities and civil registration record.
8. Provide progress reports and solve reported problems encountered in the field to the supervisor.
9. Perform any other duties as assigned by field supervisor/coordinator.

Terms of Employment

One (1) year renewable contract as per KEMRI scheme of service. Probation period for the first 3 months. Salary negotiable within the appropriate grade depending on education, experience and demonstrated competency.

Applications MUST include the following:

• Letter of Application (INDICATE VACANCY NUMBER and Preferred work station (County)
• Current Curriculum Vitae with telephone number and e-mail address
• Contacts of three referees including telephone numbers and/or e-mail addresses
• Copies of Certificates.
• Contact telephone number