Social Science Research Team Leader 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;

Support the PIs in regulatory submissions and reporting, including adverse events
Identify and screen participants, administer consent
Conduct staff training and supervision of research assistants on qualitative research methods with children and youth with disabilities, research ethics and child protection
To contribute to qualitative research design, and development of research instruments at each phase of fieldwork
To contribute to management and coordination of qualitative data collection and organization of fieldwork logistics
Conduct qualitative data collection with children and youth with disabilities
Conduct and supervise data transcription, coding and data management of interview data
Co-facilitate participatory workshops and youth advisory meetings with the in country PI
Conduct data analysis of interviews and workshop data in collaboration with the PIs
Keep study documents up to date and ensure filing of project documents
Follow up of participants to reduce drop out
Positively manage and follow up child protection issues in line with study protocol
Ensure strict adherence to quality and ethical guidelines.
Draft manuscripts and presentations about study data
Prepare and submit study updates/reports to the Study Principal Investigator.
Handle payments to participants during study activities and provide accountability to the MRC administration for the same
Handle cash expenses / DFA holder for a maximum of 500,000 UGX
Prepare and submit study updates/reports to the Study Principal Investigator.
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.

Line Management:

Supervise the Social Science Research Assistants

Qualification, Experiences and Competencies

A Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, social sciences, psychology, social work, disability studies or related field. A Master’s Degree in anthropology, social sciences, psychology, social work, disability studies or related field. Training in disability studies and participatory research are desirable.
Computer literacy in Word, Excell, PowerPoint, NVIVO and Outlook. GCP and GDPR training.
At least 5 years of research experience of which 2 in violence and/or disability research with children and youth.
Experience in working with Ugandan DPOs and community structures which support children and youth with disabilities.
Knowledge of inclusive qualitative data collection and analysis including use of NVIVO.
Fluent in English and Luganda.
Fully conversant with Ugandan regulatory and compliance processes.
Ability to handle child protection issues with sensitivity in line with study protocol and legal requirements

Knowledge of basic sign language.
Experience in presentation and manuscript writing.
Experience with unit procurement and administrative processes.
Disability inclusive
Sensitive to violence and power relations
Excellent communication skills
Personal integrity
Emotional resourcefulness
Willingness to learn
Forward thinking
Reliability
Openness to others
Independence
Teamwork
Analytical thinking
Conceptual thinking
Pro-active
Results oriented
Thoroughness
Concern for excellence
Flexibility
Must be willing to spend prolonged periods of time in Luwero and Masaka districts and work flexible hours during data collection.