Jobs Opportunities at EGPAF Foundation: 02 Research Assistants

Jobs Opportunities : 02 Research Assistants

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF): ANNOUNCEMENT FOR CONSULTANCY

Job Title: Research Assistant contractual

Job openings: 02 (01 in the Centre and 01 in the Littoral regions)

Location: Centre and Littoral Regions

Duration: 3 months with the possibility of extension

Reports to: Study Coordinator of CONTACT & INPUT Research Projects/Associate Regulatory Officer

Terms of Offer: consultant position

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is a global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV and AIDS, working in 15 countries and at over 5,500 sites around the world to prevent the transmission of HIV to children, and to help those already infected. Today, because of the highly successful work of the Foundation and its partners, pediatric AIDS has been virtually eliminated in the United States. With a growing global staff of over 1,000—nine of 10 who work in the field—the Foundation’s global mission is to eliminate pediatric HIV and AIDS by implementing HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs; further advance innovative research; and to execute strategic and targeted global advocacy activities to bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide.

Project description

The goal of the UNITAID CAP-TB project is to reach more children who are exposed to or are suffering from tuberculosis (TB), by using innovative models of TB care for children and improving the market for child-friendly TB medicines. One innovative research project is the integration of pediatric TB services into child healthcare units and at all the child entry point in health facilities (INPUT study). The INPUT study is a cluster-randomized intervention study using a stepped wedge design to compare two strategies for case detection and management of tuberculosis in children under the age of 5 years. This study will compare the standard of care, which offers pediatric TB services based on the current routine approach in the country and the intervention, which will offer pediatric TB services integrated into key child healthcare services, as part of the UNITAID CaP TB package. Another innovative research project is the community contact tracing of children who have been in close contact with adults that have been diagnosed with TB (CONTACT study). This study is designed as a cluster randomized controlled trial comparing two models of contact tracing. One model is facility-based where TB cases are asked to bring their children under 5 years or HIV+ to the facility for screening. The other model is community-based, where community healthcare workers go into the households of TB cases and screen the children on the spot.

Symptomatic children are referred to the facility for diagnosis and children under 5 or HIV infected child under

15 years with a negative screening are offered preventive therapy.

Purpose of the Job

Within INPUT and CONTACT study, cost analysis surveys will be carried out to evaluate various tuberculosis (TB) care strategies used in preventing, diagnosing and treating TB among children sick with, or exposed to TB. These surveys will collect data on the costs incurred by the parents/Guardians in the process of seeking care for their children and service delivery cost including program set up cost. EGPAF, therefore, intends to hire short- term data collectors for a period of at least 2 months, possibly four months.

Job Summary

The Research Assistant contractual must be a self-motivated individual who is experienced in quantitative data collection methods. He/she will administer structured questions to various stakeholders involved in TB management (health program managers, health care workers, and community workers, caregivers). He/she will be responsible for the recruitment and enrollment of study participants, visit procedures and collection of information from study participants and maintaining the safety and confidentiality of the data collected according to the study protocol. His/Her role will include travelling to the homes of participants and administer structured questions about their care-seeking history, associated financial impacts, and their economic circumstances He/she will report to the Associate Research Regulatory Officer, Study Coordinator and Principal Investigator on study-related issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

Maintain confidentiality and respect in interactions with participants
Obtain informed consent with all study participants
Collect data according to standard operating procedures
Conduct data entry and correction of any data deficiencies
Ensure that study targets are met, and data are documented truthfully and completely
Preserve the integrity of the research by reporting any wrong-doing, deviations or violations observed or involved
Protect collected data and any other study documents and records through organized storage and management.
Maintain a good relationship with the participants, the facility staff and other staff involved in the study.
Become familiar with EGPAF research policies and procedures, ethical conduct of research, human subject protection, the study protocol and all requirements of conducting study procedures
Any other responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

University degree in economics/ public health /or any other related degree
A medical degree/ Master in Public health or Nursing degree will be appreciated.
Experience in public Health preferably health economics
One year of work experience in public health programs or evaluation research.
Experience in electronic data collection software will be highly valued.
Experience in quantitative data collection
Experience in qualitative data collection is an advantage
Basic Knowledge of Good Clinical Practices, ICH Guidelines, US federal regulations for the protection of human subjects’ participation in research.
Comfortable working after hours and during the weekends.
Live in the locality of the study facility will be an advantage.

Essential Skills

Capacity and motivation to acquire new knowledge and skills in a short time
Language: bilingualism (French and English). However, speak one language fluently and working knowledge in another language is absolutely required;
Ability to work effectively within multi-disciplinary team
Ability and willingness to travel within [Centre region/Littoral region]

Physical demands:

The position could entail long periods of sitting, standing and/or walking outdoors to reach participants

Field schedules vary from day to day and according to the preference of the potential study participants so there may be some interviews on Saturdays and Sundays

How to apply

Qualified candidates should submit a CV with 3 professional references and cover letter with the monthly consultancy fees, to Cameroonprocurement@pedaids.org with the subject title Research Assistant Contractual

Applications will be considered until November 11, 2020 at 12:00 PM

Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

Evaluation Criteria and Submission Requirements

All proposals will be evaluated against the criteria below. Each proposal must contain the items listed in the submission requirements column in the order that they appear below. EGPAF will select the contractor that provides the Best Value to the Foundation.

Past performance

Provide at least three (3) professional references from organizations where similar services were provided with phone and email contact information 10%

Interview

The short-listed candidates will be assessed during an Interview 70%

Price

Provide on your Cover Letter your Monthly Consultant Fees for all the service listed above 20%