Research Assistants (Data Abstraction), Mortuary Study –6 positions

Background

Global Programs for Research and Training is registered as an international NGO in Kenya, wholly owned and affiliated to the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

The Ministry of Health – National AIDS & STI Control Program (NASCOP) and University of California San Francisco–Global Programs, and Centers for Disease Control are implementing Sentinel Surveillance of HIV Associated Mortality at selected mortuaries in Kenya.

The main objective is to establish a mortuary-based sentinel surveillance system for HIV in Kenya. Specifically, the surveillance seeks to determine HIV-positivity among cadavers at sampled mortuaries using minimally invasive OraQuick, monitor the burden and trends in HIV-associated mortality in Kenya and use the surveillance results to calibrate and validate national and subnational estimates of HIV-associated mortality

Global Programs for Research and Training is seeking qualified research assistants, to be based at county civil registry to conduct data abstraction for this study. These positions will require three-months commitment.

The Research Assistants (Data Abstraction) will work under the direct supervision of the study coordinator and overall supervision of the principal investigators.

Key Responsibilities:

• Attend the full study training to understand the purpose and intent of the study, as well as the plan for implementation.
• Abstraction of data from civil registrar’s records into study electronic HIV surveillance data abstraction forms.
• Uphold data quality procedures.
• Ensure data collected is safely transmitted to the designated central location.
• Act as the point of contact to respond to any data quality concerns related to civil registration data abstraction.
• Provide routine reports of progress to the study coordinator.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

The selected research assistant will have the following minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in a social science or health-related field.
• Experience in collecting quantitative data or abstracting data from existing records in a health-related field.
• Experience in electronic collection of public health data.
• Knowledge and understanding of public health issues, specifically regarding HIV/AIDS.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in government offices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft office and strong typing skills.
• Fluency in English or Swahili.
• Willingness to be based in Kisumu for the duration of the research project.
• Ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.