EngenderHealth Research Assistant Job in Kenya

Title: Research Assistant

Program: Fistula Care

Reports To: Regional Study Coordinator/Monitor, Fistula Care RCT

EngenderHealth works to improve the health and well-being of people in the poorest communities of the world. We do this by sharing our expertise in sexual and reproductive health and transforming the quality of health care.

We promote gender equity, advocate for sound practices and policies, and inspire people to assert their rights to better, healthier lives. Working in partnership with local organizations, we adapt our work in response to local needs.

It is routine practice for women to have an indwelling bladder catheter after fistula repair surgery, however scientific evidence on the optimal duration of catheterization is limited.

Fistula Care, a project of EngenderHealth, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is about to embark on a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine whether short-term (7 day) catheterization is either equivalent to, or no worse than, longer-term (14 day) catheterization in terms of successful fistula closure.

Shorter-term catheterization would have important implications for service delivery: it would reduce hospital stays for women, free bed space at facilities, reduce costs, allow for a greater number of patients to receive clinical care, and potentially reduce the probability of healthcare-associated infections following surgery.

Job Summary

EngenderHealth is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people in hard-to-reach communities in the world. EngenderHealth is seeking to hire a Research Assistant reporting to the Regional Study Coordinator/Monitor to work on the research study and will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Research Assistant will be responsible for overseeing day to day study activities at the site to ensure smooth implementation of the study, safety of study participants, and accuracy of the data.

Responsibilities Include:

Works with the site investigator at the study site to oversee day to day activities of the study and to facilitate effective communication between the study site, the Regional Study Coordinator/Monitor, EngenderHealth/New York, and WHO/Geneva
Administers informed consent, and interviews research participants
Manages data collection at the study site, including reviewing Case Report Forms (CRFs) for completeness and accuracy and maintaining study participant files.
Provides timely and accurate reports to the Regional Study Coordinator/Monitor
Assists with planning for monitoring visits
Assists during monitoring visits with review and resolution of questions on the CRFs.
Works with study site staff to identify problems and resolve those problems identified by staff, as well as during study monitoring visits.
Works with site staff and the Regional Study Coordinator/Monitor to resolve queries generated by WHO/Geneva during data entry and cleaning
Assures safe storage of data at the study site
Oversees follow up of study participants, including scheduling follow-up visits, contacting participants to remind them of upcoming visits, tracing clients who do not return for their scheduled follow-up visit, and distributing transport reimbursements and gifts.
Performs other tasks involved in conducting the study as assigned

Knowledge Skills and Experience:

Previous experience working on clinical research study desirable
Experience conducting interviews or focus group discussions for research purposes
Successful completion of Research Ethics Training Course in last 6 months desirable
Ability to discuss reproductive and sexual health behavior with women
Comfortable working in a health care facility or clinical environment
Ability to work independently without direct supervision
Excellent planning and organizational skills
Flexible and willing to adapt to new work demands
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and other local languages as appropriate
Completed post-secondary education, OR have completed KCSE with a minimum of a C+ (Plus) with a minimum of B- (minus) in English OR completed a diploma in Social Studies/Community Development or equivalent from recognized institutions.

EngenderHealth provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

EngenderHealth complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

To Apply

Please visit the careers page at www.engenderhealth.org to view the full job description as well as submit you details online by 28 July 2011. Please include details of your salary history and salary requirements.

EngenderHealth complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.