Social Science Research Assistant Navigendi NGO Jobs – Medical Research Council (MRC UK) /UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit

About the Organization

The MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit is an internationally recognized centre of excellence for research and training. The Unit was established in 1988 to improve the understanding and control of the HIV epidemic in Uganda and globally, following a request from the Uganda Government to the United Kingdom (UK) Government. After wide consultations, and in response to the changing public health landscape, Unit work has broadened beyond HIV to include other infections, neglected, endemic, emerging and re-emerging infections and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Job Description

The Medical Research Council (MRC UK) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence with dominant research themes in the areas of HIV and emerging infections, vaccines and immunity, and chronic diseases and cancer. Through a multidisciplinary approach, intersecting basic science, epidemiological research, social-behavioural research and the conduct of new intervention evaluation studies, the Unit contributes knowledge on changing epidemics and diseases, the evaluation of innovative health care options, treatment and prevention and the development of health policy and practice in Africa and worldwide. Following the signing of strategic transfer agreements between the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Medical Research Council (MRC UK), the Unit formally joined LSHTM on 1st February 2018. The exciting new partnership will boost research capacity into current and emerging health issues in Africa and throughout the world. The Unit is based at the UVRI Entebbe campus with established outposts in Kalungu, Masaka, Wakiso and Kampala Districts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Principal duties;

Administer consent, screen subjects, and determine eligibility
Conduct qualitative data collection with including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory workshops with children and youth with disabilities, parents/caregivers, teachers, and other community members.
Translate and transcribe interview and workshop and meeting data
Support the implementation of participatory workshops and youth advisory meetings
Code interview data in NVIVO and provide summary reports to the social science team leader and PIs
Follow up of participants to minimize drop out over time
Provide reimbursements to participants during study activities and provide accountability to the social science team leader for the same.
Contribute to study reports and publications.

Contribute to dissemination of study findings including assisting in drafting of progress reports/peer reviewed manuscripts.

Other duties as may be assigned by the relevant authority as deemed necessary.

Financial management.
Ensure proper accountability of project resources in line with MRC/UVRI & LSHTM policies; and,
Ensure study participants’ time / transport compensation payment.

Qualification, Experiences and Competencies

Bachelor degree in anthropology, social sciences, psychology, social work, disability studies or related field.
Computer literacy in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, NVIVO and Outlook.
GCP and GDPR training and GCP and GDPR certification.
Training in disability studies and participatory research.
At least 3 years of qualitative research experience of which 2 in violence and/or disability research with children and youth.
Experience in working in rural and urban communities with children and youth with disabilities.
Knowledge of inclusive qualitative data collection, transcription and coding using NVIVO.
Fluent in English and Luganda.
Must be willing to spend prolonged periods of time in Luwero and Masaka districts and work flexible hours during data collection.
Ability to handle child protection issues with sensitivity in line with study protocol and legal requirements
Knowledge of basic sign language.
Experience with procurement and administrative processes.
Disability inclusive
Sensitive to violence and power relations
Excellent communication skills
Personal integrity
Emotional resourcefulness
Willingness to learn