Research Assistants

Jhpiego is a non-profit global leader in the creation and delivery of transformative healthcare solutions for the developing world. In partnership with national governments, health experts, and local communities, we build health providers’ skills, and we develop systems that save lives now and guarantee healthier futures for women and their families.

The HAPPI Kenya project is undertaking a study on the uptake of HPV vaccines (HPVV) in two counties of Rift valley region.

Study title: This study is an exploration of social and gender norms related to the uptake of HPV vaccines (HPVV) in two counties of Rift valley region, Kenya: Nandi County and Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Background: To better understand and address low HPVV uptake in the two HAPPI Kenya project areas, there is an urgent need to understand the social norms that hinder girls’ vaccination. As such, we are using the methodology recommended in the Social Norms Exploration Tool (SNET) to conduct a rapid assessment.

In Phase 1 of the SNET process, study team members with working experience in Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet worked together to define the behaviors and populations of interest: Male and female caregivers proactively seeking HPVV for their daughters, and eligible girls (ages 10-14) proactively seeking HPVV. Next the team conducted a preliminary brainstorm to identify norms that likely pose barriers to those behaviors and target groups. Examples of those norms include descriptive norms such as “People in my community do not usually seek out information about health issues,” and injunctive norms such as “I am expected to follow the advice of religious leaders without questioning them.” Finally, in Phase 1, the study team identified the most likely community influencers, or groups likely to be cited by girls ages 10-14 and their male and female caregivers as having influence on their decision-making and behaviors.

The study team is looking to engage four research assistant consultants to support the data collection process.

• Support focused group discussions and key informant interviews as required by the research management
• Obtain informed consent from study participants, and carry out study interviews as per the study guidelines
• Travel to field sites to conduct interviews for the identified study participants in targeted counties
• Maintain highest standards for protection/management of data per study guidelines
• Daily communication with the research team lead
• Assist team with resolution of any queries related to data collected during interviews
• Support transcription of the qualitative data collected through recordings
• Support any other research support duties relating to the study as assigned by the supervisor

• Degree in public health, sociology, community health, social science or any other related qualification
• Experience with community-based research for public health or clinical studies preferred
• At least 2 years’ hands on experience and training in conducting surveys, FGDs, IDIs and KIIs
• Knowledge and experience in use of electronic data collection software is an added advantage
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to follow study-specific procedures and guidelines reliably
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and fluency in English and Swahili
• Computer literacy, particularly in the use of MS word, Excel and PowerPoint

Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package

Please apply at www.jhpiego.org/careers

Applicants must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter, resume, and references.

For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org

Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

“Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.

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