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Post master’s Research Assistant (initial 1 Year contract with the possibility of renewal)
- Blantyre
- Contract (Full-Time)
- Closing Date: 21/03/2023
Job Description
Introduction
The Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme (MLW) (https://mlw.mw) is an internationally recognised Centre for research and research training, affiliated to the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS). MLW has 2 aims, to conduct excellent research to benefit health and train the next generation of researcher. Our Blantyre based offices are located within the vicinity of the largest hospital in Malawi, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) provide for the optimum research environment.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of trust in community responses and willingness to conform to pandemic behavioural guidelines such as hand washing, testing, vaccination and quarantine. Trust is embedded within social relationships and is especially important under conditions of uncertainty, such as during pandemics. Community-Based Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and community leaders are well-positioned to support communities during pandemics, including in sharing information on public health. Their role is dependent on the trust communities feel towards them and their established social relationships with the community. MLW have been working with CSO and high-risk groups (minibus drivers, teachers, business owners at local community markets and sex workers) in urban Blantyre, Malawi to understand their response to the COVID-19 pandemic under the Covid- Risk study. This project (Covid-Trust study) will build on this previous work to explore how trust impacted people’s responses to those supporting them during the pandemic in order to inform ways to optimise trust to increase resilience and preparedness for future pandemics at community-level in Malawi.
Responsibilities
- To Analyse data for the Covid-Risk study (photovoice and IDI data)
- To develop study protocol and study tools for the Covid-Trust study
- Work hand in hand with the Clinical Research Support Unit (CRSU) department for ethical submissions
- To travel to the field for data collection
- To ensure that participation in interviews is based on voluntary and informed consent and that participant confidentiality is maintained.
- To ensure that all data is stored safely and securely.
- Provide regular feedback on study progress to the PI and supporting staff.
- Writing abstracts and manuscripts
- To conduct a workshop for the covid trust-study
- Conduct any other assignments set by the grant management team
Health and Safety
- To always observe and follow the Health and Safety Guidelines
- To ensure that all sections of the laboratory are kept clean and tidy by implementing routine cleaning and disinfection as per instructed.
- To immediately notify the Line Manager of all accidents and potential hazards
Requirements
- Master’s degree in social science or related field
- Experience in health-related qualitative research.
- Good clinical practice (GCP) certificate
- Extensive experience in conducting qualitative research including conducting In-depth interviews and working with community groups.
- Experience in transcribing and translating audio recordings and working with word transcription soft wares.
- Experience in qualitative data coding and analysis using NVivo software for qualitative data management.
Personal Specifications
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- Good knowledge and ability to use computer packages.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Fluency in Chichewa and English
- Ability to adhere to Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
- Exposure and understanding of social science theory.
- Ability to engage with people from the community
Remuneration and Benefits
MLW offers an attractive remuneration package which includes a competitive salary package commensurate with the position, a medical aid scheme, 24 hours insurance cover, pension scheme, gratuity benefits redeemable once every year, among others.MLW also offers opportunities such as scholarships, upgrading and training opportunities to employees. These are based on successful job performance and other set criteria.MLW recognizes its responsibility in safeguarding and protecting communities, research participants and patients. Please note that successful candidates will be requested to undergo a safeguarding check prior to appointment and at regular time points during employment.
Suitably qualified candidates should forward their applications with copies of relevant certificates, 3 contactable referees and a detailed CV as one PDF attachment to: vacancies@site.mlw.mw.
Please indicate the position title as the heading of your email. Hand-delivered applications will not be processed.
To arrive no later than the 21th March 2023, only short-listed candidates will be acknowledged.