Project Summary

Many Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC's) are facing a double burden of acute infections (e.g., HIV, TB, malaria, COVID-19) and chronic non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, heart disease). Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) can be used for a range of health conditions outside clinic-based settings, including self-administered testing at home, community health worker-facilitated testing, or testing facilitated by other health workers. When paired with mobile health services and geospatial mapping, testing with RDTs may further improve health outcomes, reduce health care costs and enhance patient care satisfaction. Several novel RDTs are available for either screening or diagnostic testing, but few studies have evaluated and compared testing strategies for accelerated diagnosis and treatment for infections. There have been no studies evaluating patient-centered, digitally facilitated integrated health care package (integration of rapid diagnostic testing, advanced digital support, and mobile testing) for infectious and chronic non-communicable diseases. To this effect the primary objective of the study will be to determine if on-demand, home-based rapid diagnostic testing or community health worker (CHW)-facilitated rapid diagnostic testing for malaria and HIV may improve testing adoption and access to care for select infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases in Kenya, Zambia, and South Africa. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted to evaluate the two testing strategies using RDTs compared to the standard of care.

Job Summary

Reports to Implementation Officer. The incumbent is responsible for collecting data and specimens for the study. 

Main Duties

•  Assists with consenting, data collection and quality assurance activities in the field whilst working with community health care workers
• Assists with transcriptions to ensure the are of high quality
• Assists with ensuring collection of specimens and associated documentation
• Maintains confidentiality of study data and privacy of participants at all times
• Attends and participates in regular social science group meetings, weekly research meetings and other standing meetings as assigned
• Performs any other duties or responsibilities found necessary for the successful implementation and functioning of ongoing research projects.

 Qualifications 

• Grade 12 certificate
• Minimum university diploma in Development Studies/ Sociology/Public health/Adult Education or in another relevant area
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection
• Demonstrated experience in transcription
• Ability to work quickly and willingness to deliver quality products under time pressure and short deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including integrity, good judgment, team working and diplomacy
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs (word and excel)
• Fluency in English and Bemba/Nyanja

Suitably qualified candidates are encouraged to apply however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.