Job Description

Introduction

The Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Research Programme (MLW) is an internationally recognized centre for research and training, funded by the Wellcome Trust in collaboration with our key partners, the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KuHes), Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and University of Liverpool (UoL) among others. We are committed to promoting research and training led by Malawian & International scientists, with the aim of improving the health of people in Malawi and elsewhere in the Region.

POSITION FUNCTION (PURPOSE)

The Community Engagement Coordinator will lead the engagement team to engage with local communities, research study teams, operational staff and other stakeholders. They will develop CE systems, implement them and review in collaboration with the researchers. The Coordinator will ensure that there is dialogue and two way communication between MLW and the different target groups and ensure the sustainability of the good working relationships that currently exists. The Coordinator will oversee the affairs of field workers in order to ensure the implementation of ethical researchers. They will also lead in developing community engagement procedures and champion best practices in Community Engagement including safeguarding of research participants and other community participants.

About Community Engagement

The Communications and Public Engagement Department implements programme wide and study specific activities with a core objective of promoting ethical research practice by facilitating dialogue and engagement between researchers, stakeholders, research participants and the wider community. These activities help in building community and public trust in research, thereby creating an enabling environment to conducting research/ In order to achieve these, engagement activities are implemented before, during and at the end of the research project.

Responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

This is one of the strategic positions for the Communication and Public Engagement department as such the Community Engagement Coordinator is expected to:

Community Engagement (Study Specific & Programme wide)

Design and establish comprehensive Community Engagement plans and budgets for different research studies.
Plan, implement and monitor study specific CE activities for both new and old grants
In collaboration with study teams, design, and deliver trainings for community volunteer teams
Use lessons learnt from M & E to improve on community engagement practice
Play a leading role in grant applications related CE initiatives
Lead in planning and delivery of community engagement activities e.g., meetings with CAGs science café’s, community meetings, etc.

Field Research Assistants (FRA’s) Coordination

Act as a focal person for FRA’s and act on the affairs of fieldworkers accordingly i.e., identifying training needs, channeling operational/administrative matters to relevant departments.
Design and deliver relevant trainings for FRA’s
Lead in the implementation, review and monitoring of the FRA’s management strategy

Supervisory Role

Supervise the Community Engagement Officers and Community Engagement interns, setting performance objectives and conducting performance appraisals.
Develop SOPs and guidelines to support CE activities. Review and update these SOP’s accordingly
Maintain clear records, monthly reports of all Community Engagement and Field Research Assistants activities.
To collaborate in drafting peer reviewed publications on the outcome and processes of Community Engagement and activities.

Meetings

Attend stakeholder meetings e.g., District Executive Committee meetings in MLW relevant districts and other meetings at the District Health Offices.
Attend scheduled department meetings and management meetings and project meetings when required by the Communications and Public Engagement manager.
Attend all relevant meetings on community Engagement with project teams within MLW and outside MLW

Evaluation

Assist in monitoring and evaluation of all Community Engagement activities i.e., keeping records.

Health and Safety

As per MLW policy, all employees are responsible for Health and Safety by:

Taking full responsibility for ensuring a safe work environment and following health and safety rules at all times for colleagues and oneself.
Keeping up to date and maintain awareness of all Health and Safety issues by;
Attending the scheduled quarterly Health & Safety sensitization trainings at least Once a year
Attend a Health and safety induction during the first week of employment, signing acknowledgement and keep abreast of the MLW Health and Safety Policies and their updates
Participate in Risk management exercises
Bring to discussion all H&S matters observed/experienced during work and meetings
Be available to assist when there is an emergency.
To immediately notify the Line Manager of all Accidents/incidents and potential hazards/near misses and to complete the MLW Incident Report Form.

Safeguarding

Undertake safeguarding training and possess comprehensive awareness of the MLW safeguarding policy
Be a member of the MLW safeguarding champions.
Lead in providing information about the MLW safeguarding policy to the local community i.e. research participants and other stakeholders.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS: (i.e., Education, Training and Experience Requirements).

Minimum requirement is a Degree in Community Development, Social Science, and Public Health.
Those with a higher qualification or at least two years of experience in a community engagement role in health research will have an added advantage.
Computer literacy i.e., Microsoft word, basic excel, virtual communication platforms i.e., Microsoft Teams
Presentation skills i.e. PowerPoint
Good Report Writing

KEY COMPENTENCIES/ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS

Fluent in Chichewa and English (speaking, writing)
Able to communicate effectively with both local and international stakeholders
Ability to understand and demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to different cultural norms
Efficient and well organized, with excellent attention to detail
Enthusiastic and able to work under pressure and to deadlines
Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing situations and workload
Some experience of medical research
Good financial accountability
Experience of working with rural and urban communities
Knowledge and experience with social media platforms i.e. WhatsApp

Mode of application and Requirements

copies of relevant certificates,
a detailed CV with 3 contactable referees
All documents should be sent in the applicant’s names as one (1) pdf file.
Please indicate the position title (As indicated above) as the heading of the email.
All applications should be sent to vacancies@mlw.mw
Applications that do not adhere to the above instructions will not be considered

To apply for this job please visit www.mlw.mw.