RESEARCH ASSISTANTS Urgently Needed - Ministry of Health & Social Welfare

Post Title: Research Assistant

Background

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) and the Drug Control Commission in collaboration with, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Muhimbili National Hospital, Mwananyamala Municipal Hospital and Temeke Municipal Hospital is implementing a program aimed at increasing coverage of people who use drugs (PWUDs) into medically assisted treatment (MAT) of opioid dependence with an ultimate goal of minimizing HIV infection among PWUDs.  The program intends to achieve this goal through execution of innovative Key Population Implementation Science (KPIS) on Optimized Methadone Delivery with Take away Doses of Methadone.

The MOHSW is currently seeking research assistants for a research study aimed at exploring barriers and facilitators of enrolment and retention in methadone treatment in order to develop a take-away methadone delivery model for clients attending methadone clinics in Dar es Salaam.

Study Description:

This research study will use in-depth interviews with methadone clinic providers, methadone clients (current and former), community outreach workers, and family/friends of methadone clients. The research will be conducted at three methadone clinics in Dar es Salaam: Muhimbili National Hospital, Mwananyamala Regional Hospital and Temeke Regional Hospital.

  

Duration: 3 months (June 2015 to August 2015).

Number of positions: 8

Duty Station: Dar es Salaam

Report to: Research Director.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Attend training on qualitative research and research ethics.

Assist in the recruitment of study participants through methadone clinics and community outreach workers affiliated with the methadone clinics.

Conduct in-depth interviews with participants, including audio record interview and take interview notes.

Write debriefing field notes after each interview.

Attend weekly debriefing meetings with study investigators.

Transcribe interviews word-for-word in Swahili.

Translate Swahili interview transcripts into English.

Assist in preliminary data analysis, as needed.

Qualifications:

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Excellent listening skills.

Ability to ask questions and learn about others without passing judgment.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, specifically Microsoft Word.

Fluency in English and Swahili.

Strong typing skills.

Experience with community outreach and/or conducting in-depth interviews preferred.

Previous experience in transcription and translation preferred.

Ability to complete tasks within specified deadlines.

Ability and openness to quickly learn new skills.

University degree in the social and/or behavioral sciences or related field preferred.

Those with previous experience working with people who use or previously used drugs are encouraged to apply.

Application Procedures:

Qualified candidates meeting the above requirements should submit a motivation letter together with updated curriculum vitae.

The deadline for receipt of all applications is 3:30pm on Monday, May 11, 2015. Applications can be delivered at the address given below and/or sent by e-mail/postal mail:

Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
6 Samora Machel Avenue
11478 Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
Phone: +255-22-2342000/5
Fax: +255-22-2137951

Website: www.moh.go.tz

E-mail: ayoub_magimba@yahoo.com, amsami@yahoo.com