Job Description

Zvitambo is an internationally recognized multidisciplinary public health research institute with the mission of helping children survive and thrive through research. We work in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to conduct research and provide technical support and education to reduce the burden of malnutrition and infectious diseases, and give children a good start in life. Zvitambo is registered as a non-profit company with the Ministry of Justice, and operates from a head office in Harare, and a field site in Shurugwi.

Job Purpose
Zvitambo is seeking an experienced researcher (implementation science researcher or social scientist) to coordinate a study examining the implementation of care for children with advanced HIV disease (AHD) in Zimbabwe. The postholder will coordinate the study team including nurses/research assistants conducting field work. This study includes both quantitative and qualitative work. The study will be conducted in Shurugwi district, where they will lead a project to evaluate current implementation of the WHO ‘STOP AIDS’ toolkit for children with AHD, then work to co-design a solution to improve coverage of the package, followed by an impact evaluation. The post holder will be based in Shurugwi.

The researcher will assist the PI in developing the study protocol, implementing the protocol, leading qualitative interviews, coordinating workshops and writing manuscripts for publication. The quantitative portion of the study will use national DHIS2 data to examine coverage of care for AHD in children. For the qualitative work, we will use co-design workshops with MoHCC staff, community leaders and health care workers at the community level. The final part of the study will be to disseminate findings to stakeholders. This project is a partnership between Zvitambo, MoHCC and PENTA (a paediatric infectious diseases network based in Europe), working on a Unitaid-funded project led by CHAI (Clinton Health Access Initiative). The post holder will coordinate the interdisciplinary research team and communicate with all these agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main Duties
• Lead the design, planning, and implementation of field work.
• Assume responsibility for project management, including communication across the research teams, day to day management and oversight of project activities.
• Lead the preparation of materials for ethical approval and fieldwork protocol guidance.
• Ensure proper documentation on all study participants.
• Prepare progress reports to regulatory bodies (MRCZ, MoHCC).
• Participate in study-related training sessions and regular meetings.
• Lead the qualitative data collection and analysis including translation and use of appropriate software (e.g. NVIVO).
• Contribute to writing project reports and journal publications based on research findings; the latter to be submitted to peer-review journals of high international ranking.
• Contribute to the presentation of appropriate research findings at project workshops to policy and practitioner audiences, and at academic conferences as required by the research programme.
• The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive, and the postholder will be expected to be co-operative and flexible, undertaking such administrative and other duties as may from time to time be reasonably expected of a member of research staff.

Qualifications and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS
Essential:
• At least 3 years’ experience co-ordinating research projects.
• Relevant postgraduate implementation science/social science qualification.
• Experience using a variety of qualitative research methods, including conducting semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions.
• Experience with qualitative analysis and use of appropriate qualitative analytical software.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Excellent team player.
• Ability to manage and prioritise own workload and organise research within the project timetable.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software (including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proven team working skills.
• Fluency in Shona and English.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Shona.
• Clean class 4 drivers licence.

Desirable:
• PhD in social science, implementation science, public health or a relevant field
• Experience working with communities to co-design interventions especially in a rural setting
• Experience working within a research organization
• Keen understanding of the research ecosystem in Zimbabwe.

How to Apply

How to apply:

Please email your application to [email protected] with the subject heading: Application for THRIVE Project Lead. Please include a cover letter, CV, and other supporting documents; it is preferable if this can be combined as one PDF document.

The closing date for applications is May 22 2024. This post will start in June/July of 2024. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Consider your application unsuccessful if not contacted within eight (8) weeks after the closing date of the advert. Any form of lobbying at any stage will lead to automatic disqualification.

By submitting your personal information, you consent to Zvitambo holding and using it in accordance with its recruitment policy and procedure. Zvitambo reserves the right to verify documents attached with the relevant awarding institutions to authenticate their validity.

Zvitambo is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse work force.