Epicentre is a non-profit organization created in 1986 by Médecins Sans Frontières, whose activities include research, field epidemiology and training. Epicentre is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Response to Emerging Diseases. Epicentre follows its activities from Paris, Geneva, Brussels, Barcelona, New-York, Cape Town and from research centres in Uganda and Niger.
Mission and Responsibilities
Based in Nsanje and under the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (based in Cape Town), the study coordinator will be in charge of the implementation and monitoring and evaluation of a HIV population survey in Nsanje, Malawi. Following a first series of surveys implemented by Epicentre, this study primarily aim at providing an evaluation of the HIV cascade of care, ART coverage, and HIV prevalence in Nsanje area. The impact of the current HIV program in the population will be also assessed in terms of access and coverage to HIV testing, prevention of mother to child transmission and circumcision in the area.
The study coordinator will lead and provide oversight and guidance on the implementation of the HIV community survey within scope, budget, timeline, and acceptable quality levels in order to achieve high quality and timely results and deliverables.
The study coordinator will work with other members of the study team in Nsanje (Malawi) and will collaborate with the MSF teams in Nsanje and Blantyre. He will ensure that the security rules are followed by the study team according to the MSF rules in the field.
Main activities
- Participate to the elaboration of work plan, standard of procedures of the study and update them accordingly all along the study.
- Identify and report protocol deviations to the Principal Investigator.
- Recruit the study staff in the field in collaboration with the study team in the field.
- Be responsible of the implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and the coordination of the study in the field including the preparation phase (field sensitization, national HR recruitment, etc).
- Ensure that the the SoP and safety procedures are in place and adhered to.
- Ensure the appropriate filling of the study forms and registers and the appropriate matching of the study ID between the data collection forms and the laboratory samples.
- Ensure that patient’s enrolment and informed consent for participation in the study is followed.
- Ensure that patient’s counselling during the study is followed.
- Ensure study laboratory specimens are safely transported regarding the international standard procedures from the field to the laboratories in Nsanje.
- Ensure that the study team will receive intensive training. Provide a training to the study team on filling the study forms, inclusion and consenting procedures, the collection and transport of biological, data entry file organization, etc).
- Manage a study team of about 60 people composed as below:
- 1 quality control officer
- 1 logistician
- 1 administrator
- 1 administrator assistant
- 1 laboratory technician
- 2 data clerks
- 6 data collection team composed with one field supervisor, one nurse, five counsellor and one driver + one flying team composed with two nurses, five counsellors and one driver
- 1 maintenance officer and 1 cleaner
- Ensure a regular contact with the Principal Investigator, including sending the monitoring study and inclusion follow up every week.
- Ensure regular communication with other partners involved in the study.
Candidate requirements
Education
o Diploma in public health/ epidemiology (clinical research assistant can be considered if experience in operational research)
o Recommended
o Medical training (medical doctor, nurse, medical biologist)
Professional experience
o Experience in field research (especially population surveys) conducted in resources-limited countries
o Experience in management of resource-limited countries preferably with MSF
Knowledge, skills and abilities
o Project management
o Knowledge of software for data entry (ex: EpiData)
o Working experience with Word and Excel
o Fluent English (speaking, reading, writing)
o Dynamic, rigorous, with good management skills and able to work within a team
o Interest in research on HIV
o Good communication skills
Conditions
-Position based in Nsanje, Malawi.
-Expatriation MSF/Epicentre 5 months contract starting Mid-July 2016
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications should be made online, before 1st june 2016 by completing the form available from the following link : http://www. epicentre.msf.org/en/job-opening
For complementary information about this position please contact Nolwenn Conan:nolwenn.conan@epicentre.msf.org
