Summary
Date Posted: Friday, August 04 2023, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Background
Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), together with PATH and Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) as a consortium, are implementing a three-year project in Uganda, the Immunization “Learning Hub” with funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The project is implemented in close collaboration with the Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunisation, Ministry of Health.

The Learning Hub (LH) aims to characterize zero-dose children (ZDC), under-immunized children (UIC), and missed communities, identify barriers to immunization, evaluate and share learnings on existing and planned immunization approaches, and improve measures and methods to access and use data regularly, as means of increasing equity in immunization. By design, the Learning Hub is embedded in the ecosystem of UNEPI, helping to provide key learnings to UNEPI and its partners regarding strategies to reach ZDC, UIC, and missed communities in Uganda.

PATH is undertaking a rapid assessment, as part of the planned research studies, to gain an initial understanding of who the ZDC, UIC and missed communities are, and the barriers to reaching. PATH has already conducted a desk review and secondary data analysis on the same. The next phase of the rapid assessment is to conduct primary data collection in targeted communities in the districts of Wakiso, Mubende and Kasese. This will be done through key informant interviews (KIIs) with VHTs and local community leaders to gain deeper insights on the main challenges of immunization uptake in their communities. Against this background, PATH would like to recruit two (2) consultant research associates to support the Learning Hub in the above-mentioned research activities.

Consultancy period: The consultancy contract will be effective for a maximum of 30 working days from the date of signing the contract estimated to be between August 15, 2023, and November 30, 2023

Scope of Work
Specifically, the Consultants will:
Training and meetings
• Attend training sessions on the study protocol, qualitative research activities, data collection, processing, analysis and reporting at IDRC.
• Participate in weekly meetings with the consortium research teams at IDRC and Makerere School of Public Health.
• Participate in learning activities including dissemination of research findings as described in the learning agenda and the stakeholder engagement plan.

Deliverable:
• Reports on trainings/meetings and other activities undertaken in a month based on PATH template

Identification of interview subjects
• Engaging with leaders in selected districts to identify communities in which to conduct the key informant interviews (KIIs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs).
• Work with the leaders of the selected districts to identify VHTs/community leaders of the selected communities for the key informant interviews (KIIs).
• Work with VHTs of the selected communities to identify caregivers of ZDC for qualitative interviews (IDIs).

Deliverables:
• List of communities and interview subjects identified for KIIs and IDIs Schedule for conducting the interviews.

Qualitative data collection
• Obtain informed consent from participants selected for the KIIs and IDIs.
• Conduct KIIs with the VHTs/community leaders using the study topic guide and audio-recording equipment.
• Conducting IDIs with caregivers using the study topic guide and audio-recording equipment
• Complete contact summaries for each KII and IDI conducted detailing key findings emerging.
• Participate in the qualitative team debrief meetings to discuss preliminary findings from the KIIs and IDIs.
• Ensure all qualitative study activities are carried out with high ethical standards, following standard operating procedures (SOPs) as well as principles of ethical practice when interacting with study participants and their data.
• Ensure high quality preparation and data collection processes in the Uganda Learning Hub in line with principles of good quality research for qualitative data
• Maintain a comprehensive database of all data and materials arising from fieldwork in a secure shared folder.
• Contribute to maintenance of a timeline for the Uganda Learning Hub qualitative activities, ensuring all milestones are delivered in good time.

Deliverables:
• Well-marked audio-recorded interviews saved electronically in an agreed sharable folder. Comprehensive database of all data and materials arising from fieldwork in a secure shared folder.

Qualitative data analysis and quality control
• Review in-depth interview and key informant interview transcripts worked on by the transcribers subcontracted by IDRC.
• Work with the IDRC qualitative research lead to develop a coding framework to guide the coding process.
• Code the KII and IDI transcripts using NVivo qualitative analysis software.
• Ensure high quality data analysis processes in the Uganda Learning Hub in line with principles of good quality research for qualitative data

Deliverable:
• Coding framework Coded KII and IDI transcripts

Report writing
• Write a report of findings from the KIIs and IDIs for presentation to the study team and key stakeholders. Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts based on the Uganda Learning Hub qualitative data.
• Participate in dissemination meetings where qualitative findings will be presented to key stakeholders.
• Conduct a synthesis of the rapid assessment report to reflect all findings from desk/document review, secondary and primary data analysis

Deliverable:
• Contact summaries for each KII and IDI conducted Checked and finalised KII and IDI transcripts NVivo file of coded KIIs and IDIs Report on qualitative findings from the KIIs and IDIs PowerPoint slide deck with summary findings (template to be provided) Draft manuscript(s) Synthesized rapid assessment report

Qualifications and experience
• Bachelor’s degree in humanities including social sciences, population studies, development studies, or related field is essential.
• A masters’ degree in humanities including social sciences, population studies, development studies, or related field is highly desirable.
• A minimum of five years’ experience engaging in qualitative research including the conduct of in-depth interviews and key informant interviews is required.
• Experience coding and analysing qualitative data using a qualitative software (Nvivo or ATLAS Ti).
• Experience writing reports and publications emerging from qualitative data.
• Good command of English and Luganda. Knowledge of Runyoro/Rutooro or Rukonzo is an added advantage.
• Demonstrable experience working with research teams
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills in interacting with participants, stakeholders, and audiences.
• Ability to establish rapport and trust with participants, and to respect their confidentiality, consent, and dignity
• Curious, open-minded, and skillful to pursue interesting new lines of inquiry as they are revealed.
• Ability to demonstrate the highest ethical standards while interacting and interviewing research subjects.

Note: The Research Associates will be required to read the research protocol and understand all the IRB requirements for conducting a qualitative research study following all principles of human subject protection.

Remuneration
The consultant’s payment shall be affected after prior approval by the responsible signatories at PATH. Payment shall only be made upon submission of satisfactory deliverables (as per the schedule of deliverables) and a payment invoice to PATH offices in Ntinda, Kampala.


Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure

If you meet the above-mentioned requirements, submit your CV and cover letter to the following email address lwamunza@path.org  and copy to ugprocurement@path.org  by close of business, Friday, 11 August 2023.


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