: Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research

Deadline: 22 August 2021

Zvitambo is a multidisciplinary public health research institute whose mission is to improve maternal and child health in Zimbabwe and to apply its findings to improve health globally. Zvitambo conducts research and provides technical support and education to reduce the burden of malnutrition and infectious diseases. Zvitambo is looking for an energized and committed team member to work on a multi-site, interdisciplinary project that aims to promote survival, healthy growth, and development amongst children admitted to hospital with concurrent HIV and severe acute malnutrition (HIV-SAM). The postholder will lead the qualitative research in Zimbabwe and co-ordinate with research partners based in Kenya and Zambia. The postholder will be based at the Zvitambo head office in Harare and will be required to spend short but repeated periods of time in Zambia and Kenya.

Position summary

The primary role of the HIV SAM Social Scientist is to undertake literature and database searches for the research project and interpret and present the findings of the literature searches in relation to the aims of the research project; lead the design, planning, and delivery of a rapid appraisal survey to be conducted in households where children have previously been hospitalised with severe acute malnutrition; support the rapid appraisal in Kenya and Zambia; lead the design, planning, and delivery of in-depth interviews to be conducted in households where children have previously been hospitalised with severe acute malnutrition; lead the preparation of materials for ethical approval and fieldwork protocol guidance; contribute towards the completion of data analysis, including translation and use of appropriate software (e.g. NVIVO); assist in data management and storage by maintaining appropriate databases and keeping accurate records (written and computerised) to ensure that data are stored securely; contribute to writing project reports and journal publications based on research findings; the latter to be submitted to peer-review journals of high international ranking; contribute to the presentation of appropriate research findings at project workshops to policy and practitioner audiences, and at academic conferences as required by the research programme. The postholder will be expected to assume responsibility for project management including, communication across the research teams, day to day management and oversight of project activities. The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive, and the postholder will be expected to be co-operative and flexible, undertaking such administrative and other duties as may from time to time be reasonably expected of a member of research staff.

The start date for this post is the beginning of September 2021 or soon thereafter.

Qualifications

The candidate must have a relevant postgraduate social science qualification OR relevant research experience; experience conducting literature searches using appropriate databases; experience using qualitative research methods, including conducting semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions; experience with qualitative analysis and use of appropriate qualitative analytical software; excellent organisational skills; ability to manage and prioritise own workload and organise research within the project timetable; be computer literate with a strong proficiency in Microsoft Office software (including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); have proven team working skills; be fluent in Shona and English; have strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Shona; have a driver's licence and a passport. It is preferable if the candidate has a PhD in social science, experience coordinating research projects; experience leading a team of qualitative researchers, experience working within the research environment in Zimbabwe, and experience working in multi-institutional or international collaborative projects. Fluency or proficiency in Ndebele is also desirable.

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