Research Assistant (EpiC HIV Project)

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – Research Assistant (EpiC HIV Project)

FHI 360/Philippines (www.fhi360.org) is in search of candidates for Research Associate position to join the USAID-funded EpiC HIV project in the Philippines. The position is based at the TB Innovations Office in Makati City.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

FHI 360 is seeking applications for the position of Research Associate for the Oral Fluid-based HIV Self-testing Implementation under the Meeting Targets and maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project in the Philippines. EpiC is a five-year global project funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Agency for International Development USAID). The project provides strategic technical assistance (TA) and direct service delivery to break through barriers to 95-95-95 and promote self-reliant management of national HIV programs by improving HIV case-finding, prevention, treatment programming and viral load (VL) suppression among key populations (KPs) and priority populations (PPs). In the Philippines, EpiC HIV has been working since October 2020 in Mega Manila to address critical gaps and bottlenecks in the response to HIV among KPs in the Philippines and build capacity of local, community based KP organizations and work closely with the government of the Philippines to deliver HIV services tailored to the needs of KPs. Now on its second year, EpiC HIV Philippines expanded to new sites and increasingly work with implementing partners towards targeted testing to increase HIV case finding among high-risk key populations.

With new innovations in HIV testing to increase case finding and make services more accessible to clients, the national program is starting to adopt new testing modalities. One of the anticipated additions in the new HIV testing policy in the country is the introduction of HIV self-testing. Current technologies in the country focus more on blood-based HIV kits. EpiC proposes to conduct implementation research on oral fluid-based HIV self-testing kits to complement this new testing modality with the hope of providing more testing modalities that may open additional convenience for clients to access testing services. The main objectives of this study are:

1. Demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of oral fluid HIV screening, particularly for the population groups of MSM and TG- through three service delivery models:For Internal use only

i) self-testing

ii) peer-mediated/assisted testing and

iii) referral to primary HIV care facility or treatment Hubs.

1. Generate evidence on the effectiveness of various service delivery points to inform recommendations for roll-out, and

2. Gather clinical evidence on how OraQuick performs compared to the current blood-based HIV test kits used under the national testing algorithm as “test for triage”.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Research Assistant will support the EpiC Project in the implementation study on Oral Fluid-based HIV Self-testing (Ora-quick) in select EpiC sites. Reporting to the research associate and EpiC country team, s/he will:

1. Assist the research associate in the finalization and approval of the study design through local reputable ethics review board and make necessary changes in consultation with the technical steering committee as needed.

2. Facilitate creation and validation of reporting tools and forms relative to the study.

3. Work with local partners and APRO technical backstops in the protocol design, tools, and capacity building of implementing sites.

4. Assist in the selection, coordination and monitoring of implementing sites for the conduct of the study. 5. Guide the implementing sites in the conduct of the study and ensure adherence to set protocols including counseling, testing, recording, and reporting procedures.

5. Organize, conduct, and facilitate regular meeting/feedbacking activities with the technical working group and implementing partners to provide updates.

6. Coordinate with implementing sites and ensure timely collection and processing of data and reports.

7. Draft and facilitate finalization of study results through a formal scientific paper.

8. Facilitate conduct of research dissemination activities with partners and stakeholders.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

· Proficiency and experience in national HIV testing protocols and laboratory operations related to HIV diagnosis and care.

· Technical paper writing skills

· Data analysis and presentation

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office software programs

· Ability to conduct training and facilitate meetings.

· Capacity to work within tight deadlines

· Ability to work independently, set aggressive schedules, and take initiative

· Ability to work as part of a team

· Strong written communications skills

· Strong interpersonal skills

WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

· Site-level support (field office work)

· Ability to travel domestically

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

· A Bachelor’s degree in Laboratory science, Education, Environment, Health, Behavioral, Life/Social Sciences, International Development, Human Development, or related field required.

· Minimum 3 years of experience in conducting research, preferably in health or HIVrelated projects.

· Experience in writing technical papers and study result dissemination (samples of work)

· Knowledge and understanding of the country’s HIV epidemic with emphasis on the national HIV Program testing algorithm.

· Demonstrate ability to host and facilitate virtual and face to face meetings and trainings

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