Descriptions

SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

Job Description Research Assistant About Global Programs The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) partners with governments, academic institutions, and communities to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes worldwide. In Tanzania, UCSF, through its local Global Programs office, supports research and implementation science that generates evidence to expand access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services and to inform national health policy and practice. Project summary PATHS (“Expanding Access to HIV Self-Test Kits Through Private Sector Channels”) is a mixed-methods implementation study conducted in the Mwanza Region of Tanzania. The study works with approximately 200 Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlets (ADDOs) and pharmacies across 50 wards to test the monetary and non-monetary, structural and behavioral supports needed to enable independent adoption of HIV self-test (HIVST) kits distribution. Participating shops procure subsidized HIVST kits to distribute free of charge to young women (reimbursed by the study) while selling to other customers for profit, with procurement subsidies gradually phased out over 39 months to test the sustainability of a [...]

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Reports to Study Coordinator.

- Supervises mystery client actors and any data collectors or field assistants assigned to the Research Assistant’s ward portfolio.

- Coordinates with shop owners and staff, the Maisha Meds team, other Research Assistants, and the procurement and inventory management team.

- Position

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Technical Shop recruitment and onboarding: Identify and approach ADDO and pharmacy owners in assigned wards; describe the study; lead the informed consent process; enroll shops; and coordinate with Maisha Meds to set up the Maisha Meds point-of-sale system.

- Shop coordination and supervision: Serve as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of assigned shops; conduct routine (monthly) shop visits; coordinate deliveries of HIVST kits, supplies, and commodities; track procurement and free distribution; and troubleshoot operational issues.

- Quantitative shopkeeper surveys: Administer in-person and phone shopkeeper surveys at scheduled study time points, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and timely upload of data.

- Mystery client (MC) actors: Support recruitment of suitable actors; train them to portray young women and other customers in standardized scenarios; schedule and coordinate unannounced visits; ensure audio recording and correct data capture; and debrief after each round.

- Quick-strike exit interviews: Conduct quick-strike exit interviews with shopkeepers who discontinue study activities.

- Plan and manage day-to-day field logistics, routing, and scheduling across assigned wards.

- Maintain a thorough understanding of the study protocol and study SOPs; safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of all study data and participants.

- Ensure adherence to study protocol, SOPs, and ethical standards among the field team.

- Communication Document field activities, challenges, and any protocol deviations, and report issues promptly to the Study Coordinator.

- Prepare clear written and verbal field reports on shop status, survey progress, and MC and interview activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public health, pharmacy, business, or related field.

- At least three (3) years of experience in field research or data collection, including supervisory, coordination, or [...]

HOW TO APPLY

To apply All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed in the minimum requirements above with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Applications and supporting documents should be sent via e-mail to [email protected] . How to Apply for this Job No separate application link was provided.