Qualitative Research Assistant – HPV Vaccines (Independent Contractor)
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Duration: 3 months

Organization Overview

The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries, while strengthening the capabilities of governments and the private sector in those countries to create and sustain high quality health systems that can succeed without our assistance. For more information, please visit: http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org–

Program Overview

In light of the well-established linkage between Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that HIV+/ Immunocompromised individuals should receive at least two, if possible three doses of HPV vaccine. While there has been extensive research on HPV vaccine (HPVV) immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy in HIV+ individuals, there is currently limited evidence and visibility into country-level Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI) programs’ policies and strategies to ensure the completion of vaccination schedules for HIV+ girls, an important vulnerable target population. The HPV Vaccine project intends to conduct a study to investigate policies and strategies to reach HIV+ and immunocompromised girls with full HPV vaccine schedules in select countries, including Malawi, to understand how programs aim to fully vaccinate HIV+ and immunocompromised girls. The findings will provide governments, stakeholders, including policymakers and program managers, with evidence and recommendations that will help influence policies, improve service delivery, and ensure this group completes the vaccine schedule. By developing evidence-based policies, strategies, and practices focused on this population, the vaccination coverage and protection of HIV+/immunocompromised girls can be increased.

Position Overview

CHAI is recruiting for a Research Assistant – HPV Vaccines, to support implementation of the HPV Vaccines Study on policies and strategies for reaching HIV+/immunocompromised girls for HPV schedule completion. The Research Assistant will lead data collection activities which include gathering and reviewing policies, reports and published literature on HPV vaccines in Malawi, and conducting Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The role is based in Lilongwe and reporting to the Program Manager, Cervical Cancer. The person must be highly self-motivated with experience dealing with different stakeholders and have a high level of comfort with fast-paced work environment. She/he must be a fast learner, self-assured, and a strong team player.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate protocol development and submission activities to the local Institutional Review Board
• Conduct desk review of HPV vaccines policies, guidelines and published and grey literature for Malawi
• Conduct key informant interviews with selected key stakeholders including from the Ministry of Health, implementing partners and district vaccines programs managers/coordinators
• Conduct transcriptions of audio recorded interviews, verbatim
• Ensure that the study is implemented with adherence to the approved protocol, including but not limited to administration of informed consent, data management and data storage storage

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field such as Public Health, Nursing, Social Sciences or other health sciences
• At least 1 year experience in qualitative research data collection and processing
• High level of proficiency using Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to deliver in high-pressure situations, set priorities, and adapt to rapidly changing environments
• Self-motivated and able to work with a high degree of independence
• Team player with excellent verbal and written communication and professionalism

Advantages

• Experience in HPV vaccines program planning and/or delivery
• Experience working with the ministry of health and its implementing partners in Malawi
• Experience dealing with Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), preferably the National Health Sciences Research Committee of Malawi
• Knowledge of the Malawi health system at large, and cervical cancer in particular

Applications should be sent to: recruitmentmalawi@clintonhealthaccess.org

Closing date: Friday 11th October 2024