Research Assistant / Enumerator

Integrated Strategies for Mycetoma Prevention and Management in Turkana: A Social-Behavioral Change Approach

Background:

The African Institute for Health and Development (AIHD) in partnership with Cirugía en Turkana (NGO), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention LT, U.S. Public Health Service with support from The Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) is implementing the Integrated Strategies for Mycetoma Prevention and Management in Turkana: A SocialBehavioral Change Approach program whose main objective is to evaluate the social, behavioural, and economic determinants affecting mycetoma prevention, diagnosis, treatment, management and healthcareseeking behaviour, in Turkana County, Kenya, and to develop evidence-based recommendations for enhancing prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and overall quality of life for those impacted. The key deliverable will be to generate evidence that will inform mycetoma prevention and management strategies by documenting best practices in Turkana’s local context. This will influence policy and resource allocation towards sustainable, community-driven approaches to mycetoma control. In this regard, this will involve conducting a research study with the aim to

i) establish proportion of the community residents with adequate knowledge and positive perception of mycetoma in Turkana County;
ii) explore the perceptions and understanding of mycetoma among community residents in Turkana County;
iii) describe factors that influence health seeking behaviour among people living with mycetoma in Turkana County; assess the quality of life of individuals living with mycetoma in Turkana County and
iv) assess the existing SBCC strategies on mycetoma and identify gaps for improvement.

Position Description:

The purpose of this position is to serve as a temporary research assistant (RA)/enumerator for a period of at least two (2) weeks for the study in Loima and Turkana South sub-counties in Turkana County. The overall duty of the RA/enumerator will be to ensure that data is collected appropriately and submitted to the supervisor promptly. Specifically, s/he will be required to perform the following services:

• Attend training on data collection methods and go through the data collection forms.
• Perform field data collection and management activities following approved protocol, including the permission process and confidentiality requirements.
• Secure storage of all data according to outlined procedures.
• Meet deadlines, including conducting assigned interviews in a timely manner.
• Orient self to research ethics materials during the training period;
• Orient research ethics materials to study respondents and ensure they have sufficient information about the study;
• Ensure the study respondents sign the study ethical forms;
• Report to the immediate supervisor as required (e.g. discuss any problem)
• Maintain confidentiality and security of data gathered.
• Execute any other duties assigned by the supervisor

Requirements:

Applicants for this position are expected to have the following qualifications:

• At least a first degree in Social Sciences, public health or a related field from a recognized university;
• Fluent in English, Swahili and local language;
• Vast experience in data collection, both qualitative (FGDs and KIIs) and quantitative (survey);
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to follow study-specific procedures and guidelines reliably;
• Good verbal and written communication skills;
• Applicants must be from Turkana County, with those from Loima and Turkana South considered an added advantage.
• Active and informed local young people are highly encouraged to apply; and
• Both young men and women are equally encouraged to apply.