Qualitative Research Assistant at UCSF Global Programs for Research & Training

Global Programs for Research & Training is registered as an international NGO in Kenya, wholly owned and affiliated to the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

Global Programs seeks to recruit a highly motivated and competent Qualitative Research Assistant for a research project known as Healthy Mothers, a pilot intervention focused on food insecurity and perinatal depression among women living with HIV in Kenya. The aim of the intervention is to promote adherence to the three pillars of PMTCT (maternal ART; exclusive breastfeeding; provision of ART prophylaxis to infant) and to reduce the rates of mother to child HIV transmission in Kenya.

The Qualitative Researcher/Assistant Coordinator will be responsible for recruitment; conducting interviews; overseeing data collection and management, transcribing and translating interviews; and ensuring that the recruitment and retention goals of the study are met. This position requires a one-year commitment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the implementation of the Healthy Mothers qualitative research study in line with Kenyan and US/UCSF regulations and standards.
• Coordinate and conduct qualitative research study activities including the recruitment, screening, in-depth interviews, data collection for qualitative research study participants according to the study protocol and standard operating procedures
• Participating in the data coding, analysis, and generation of analytical memos from qualitative data collected
• Adhere to the principles of ethical research according to human subject’s review protocols
• Provide weekly reports on the qualitative study progress and regularly communicate with the Study Investigators at UCSF
• Ensue the timely and correct petty cash and other financial handling of the project, along with GPK financial/administrative support
• Support in the development, submission, and tracking of IRB renewals, modifications, and other study needs, as per instructions/needs of study leads and investigators
• Prepare detailed progress report and participate in weekly meetings of the study team
• Arrange logistical and administrative details related to the project PI’s site visits and in-country meetings

Key Requirements:

Education

• Preferred: Master of Science or Advanced Degree in the Social Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Agriculture, Nutrition, Psychology, Public Health or other relevant field.
• Required: Bachelors or Arts or Sciences in a relevant field (Social Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Agriculture, Nutrition, Psychology, or Public Health)

Prior Work Experience:

• Experience conducting qualitative interviews and project assistance (2-3 years of experience strongly preferred)
• Experience working with study teams and collaborating with PIs and study team members (academic research strongly preferred)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, including the ability to maintain frequent contact using cell phone, email, and internet-based phone (i.e. Skype).
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in English, Kiswahili, and Dholuo.
• Ability to translate Dholuo and Kiswahili into written English proficiently
• Interest in working in maternal and child within antenatal clinics around Kisumu.
• Ability to multi-task, problem solve, and work with others to resolve challenges.
• Ability to follow-up on tasks and follow through on deadlines are critical skills in this position.
• Open-minded and willing to learn new skills and approaches to research
• Competent with computer software applications including Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Some experience with qualitative data management software (Dedoose is preferable), and web-based applications (Skype) would be preferred but is not required.