Social Science Research Team Leader at MRC/UVRI
- Company: MRC/UVRI
- Location: Uganda
- State: Uganda
- Job type: Full-Time
- Job category: Administrative Jobs in Uganda
Job Description
The Unit 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. The Unit is now seeking enthusiastic and experienced individuals to fill the following position: Social Science Research Team Leader Navigendi – (01 Position)
Position Code: SSRTL – 0824
Reports to: Scientist A
Station: Entebbe
Job Purpose:
To support the Social Science Team Leader and PIs in the implementation of the Navigendi study with a particular focus on supporting recruitment of study participants, qualitative data collection, transcription and coding of study data.
Roles & Responsibilities
1. 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.
2. Financial management.
• Ensure proper accountability of project resources in line with MRC/UVRI & LSHTM policies; and,
• Ensure study participants’ time / transport compensation payment.
3. Line Management:
• Supervise the Social Science Research Assistants
Person Specification
• 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.