Community Liason Officer at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme

This position’s main role is to plan, coordinate and implement internal Programme training for interface staff across our 3 hubs with the overall aim of strengthening the science and ethics of research conducted across the programme. The job holder will work closely with Principal Investigators and Study Coordinators to identify training gaps for Programme Field Workers (FWs), as well as other interface staff. He/She will also be responsible for supporting development of training and supervision materials. The job holder will also work closely with the Community Liaison Group to develop training materials, including conducting trainings for relevant community groups and community representatives.

Description:

REPORTING LINES

• Line Manager: Head of Community Engagement
• Overview Manager: Head of Surveillance.

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY:

• Manage a budget for the training activities

JOB DIMENSIONS:

This role involves considerable amounts of time spent in planning and implementing training; as such, the staff undertaking this role must have excellent organizational skills and be a good trainer and communicator (verbal and written) and must be able to interact with staff at all levels.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate and implement Training of Interface staff
• In collaboration with other Programme trainers, lead the development/updating of Programme FWs training curricula for Basic and Refresher trainings, taking account of the underlying aim to strengthen the science and ethics of research conducted across the programme.
• Coordinate and implement effective participatory training courses across the programme for these groups, including proactive communication with PIs/project managers/study coordinators
• Identify and manage a Programme training team (drawn from Community Liaison Group - CLG and others), including ensuring the trainers are up-to-date with latest training skills.
• Manage an annual budget for Programme FWs/Interface staff training activities
• Continuously assess training needs of field staff and discuss these needs with the PIs/project managers or coordinators in consultation with the Head of Surveillance.
• Organize training materials and all logistics related to trainings/ training meetings.
• Participate in the CLG team’s strategic work planning and goal setting to include training activities.
• Support in monitoring and evaluation of training activities
• Together with the Head of Surveillance, support supervisors in development of supervision tools to ensure quality field work
• Support the Community Liaison Manager in developing and implementing training activities for relevant community groups, including KEMRI Community Representatives
• Support in the development/updating/amending of training guides and training curricula for community representatives.
• In collaboration with relevant teams/research institutions, oversee implementation of the International FWs Networks activities, including continuation of Conferences
• Undertake Research review and governance support activities including participating in activities of the Communications and Consent Committee (CCC), reviewing and translating information and consent forms and advising on language of the same.
• Participate in Study specific engagement activities and planning meetings to identify study specific training needs, and support in bridging identified skills/knowledge gaps among study staff.
• Support development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and information, education and communication (IEC) materials used to communicate study and research/KWTRP activities.
• Support other community and public engagement activities as needed
• Supervise other community/public engagement staff, and attachment students as may be needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in public health, Social Science, Community Development, Project Planning, or other relevant areas of study.
• Must have proven Training of Trainer skills, with at least 3 years of active training activities
• Knowledge on Research Ethics and Good Clinical Practice, and proven ability to train on the same
• Training on Communication and experience of seeking consents from potential participants an added advantage
• Previous or current work experience within a health research setting an added advantage

SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:

• Good planning and organizational skills
• Excellent report writing skills
• Experience in planning management and evaluation of training using participatory approaches
• Experience in developing training guides and manuals
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to facilitate large and small meetings
• Ability to work independently as well as supporting team activities
• Ability to network with other stakeholders
• Must be computer literate
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain relationships among project staff and the public
• Experience of working in Kilifi is an added advantage
• High levels of personal integrity, particularly in relation to confidentiality required in a health research context