Job Description

Zvitambo is an internationally recognized multidisciplinary public health research institute with the mission of improving maternal and child health in Zimbabwe, and to apply its findings to improve health globally. We work in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to conduct research and provides technical support and education to reduce the burden of malnutrition and infectious diseases, and also 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.

Zvitambo is seeking an experienced qualitative researcher to coordinate a pilot study looking at improving caregivers and their infants’ well-being through play. The postholder will coordinate the pilot study which includes extensive qualitative work. This pilot study is based in Shurugwi District; the postholder will be based full time at our offices in Shurugwi.

The qualitative researcher will ensure the study protocol is implemented, lead the co-design workshops to design the intervention and then pilot the intervention with 24 families with children aged 0-3 years. This study will begin with formative research that culminates with a co-design workshop with community health care workers (CHWs) and leaders in play to design the play materials. CHWs will then pilot the intervention package in 24 households (including households with disabled children). The study will bring together caregivers who engaged in the intervention and CHWs to reflect on their experience and improve the study intervention. The revised intervention package will be piloted in 10 more households.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the design, planning, and delivery of the pilot study to improve play in households with children aged 0-3 years.
• 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.
• Ensures proper documentation on all study participants
• Prepare progress reports to regulatory bodies (MRCZ and MCAZ)
• 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

Essential:
• At least 3 years experience co-ordinating research projects.
• Relevant postgraduate social science qualification OR relevant research experience.
• 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
• 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

Please email your application to [email protected] with the subject: subject heading: Application for Play Qualitative Researcher. 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 18 December 2023. This post will start in January 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.