Job Vacancies at Jhpiego for Graduate Research Assistant

Jhpiego, an Affiliate of Johns Hopkins University - Maternal Child Survival Program (MCSP), a global USAID-funded project with the purpose of Ending Preventable Cause of Death (EPCD), is conducting a two-phase Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) study in Kogi and
Ebonyi states, Nigeria. This includes (1) formative research to understand the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescent mothers in Ebonyi and Kogi states of Nigeria and the gaps in the current system, then (2) an implementation research study to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a package of interventions designed to address the identified gaps. We will conduct a qualitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study using focus group discussions (FGD5) and in-depth interviews (lDls).

We are looking for highly motivated, multitasking and experienced individuals to work in the capacity below on contract basis:


Job Title: Research Assistant
Locations: Ebonyi and Kogi
Slot: 6 position for each state
Job Type: Contract
Duration: 4 - 6 Weeks
Job Description

• This position reports to the Program Manager and will work closely with the Monitoring Evaluation & Research team and Program Officers to ensure that the Study results inform whether group care is a viable strategy to improve the quality and acceptability of ANC and increase retention in care through pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.

• Attend week long training session on ASRH study data collection and use of ComrnCare Dimagi.
• Support the Research study team in orienting and training youth groups and other stakeholders (CHEWS
• Ensure safe custody of equipment supplied for the study
• Keep accurate records of consent forms and other study related documents.
• Advise the research team on any ethical issues that may arise during the period of engagement in the study With the supervisor, set targets and work out timesheet of activities conducted.
• Write and submit a weekly report of activities conducted to the supervisor.
• Create consent logs and group cohort logs: share group cohort logs with providers: update program officers weekly with enrollment numbers
• Conduct qualitative data collection (FGD5 and lDls) to all consented study subjects at the time of consent CommCare and audio recording
• Track study subjects to participate in group discussions at appropriate times: record if subjects move out of Study area and/or are lost to follow up
• Arrange meeting time and place in consultation with health facility managers
• CHW5) in the community on how to recruit volunteers in a non-pressuring or coercive way using the voucher System,
• Participates in recruitment of adolescents through respondent-driven sampling and a voucher system.
• Conduct selection and screening of recruited participants using specified selection criteria and obtaining consent from selected participants
• Transfer initial screening information from participants to Commcare via project provided tablet
• Support Focused group discussion in their respective areas as requested by the research team
• Carryout data collection, data entry and data quality procedures as outlined in relevant project SOPs.

• A degree in Sociology, Health Sciences Research or Biostatistics, Nursing, Public Health is desirable. Master in Public Health, Biostatistics or sociology is an added advantage.
• Experience in qualitative research methods and publication track record are desirable.
• Sensitivity to sociocultural and religious differences is expected.
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines at short notice.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Competence with data analysis software including Atlas,ti is desirable.
• Residence in Ebonyi and Kogi States will be a strong advantage.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are critical.
• Good spoken and written English.
• Good spoken and written of at least 3 of Ibo, Igala, Yoruba, Pidgin is desirable.

• This position reports to the Program Manager and will work closely with the Monitoring Evaluation & Research team and Program Officers to ensure that the Study results inform whether group care is a viable strategy to improve the quality and acceptability of ANC and increase retention in care through pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.

• Be present in assigned heath facility during all the hours antenatal care is provided for four months to screen, recruit and obtain consent from ANC mothers on whom the research is conducted
• Transfer initial screening information from providers to REDCap (a mature, secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases) via project provided tablet.
• Create consent logs and group cohort logs; share group cohort logs with providers; update program officers weekly with enrollment numbers.
• Administer baseline survey questions to all consented study subjects at the time of consent via REDcap
• Using facility records, conduct phone based facility birth rate baseline assessment
• Track study subjects in order to administer surveys at appropriate times; record if subjects move out of study area and/or are lost to follow up
• Arrange meeting time and place and administer survey questions to recently delivered study subjects within 6 weeks of delivery via REDCap.
• Support Focused group discussion in their respective areas as requested by the research team.
• Review collected data and make corrections before submission via redcap.
• Review and bring into force varied research quality and control procedures.
• Ensure safe custody of equipment supplied for the study.
• Keep accurate records of consent forms and other study related documents.

• Diploma/Degree in a Health related field.
• Past experience in clinical research.
• Use of mobile technology as a data collection tool will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge and experience in research.
• Knowledge in Research, Data abstraction.
• Presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized, and able to achieve intended study goals and objectives.
• Computer literate, comfortable using a tablet and learning new software.
• Residence in Lafia, Nasarawa State and fluency in Hausa language will be a strong advantage.

• Only shortlisted candidates will receive an invitation for an interview.
• Any successful candidate will be subject to a pro-employment background investigation