Research Assistant conducts qualitative research, in-depth interviews, and field survey data collection, requires a Social Sciences or Public Health Degree and proven qualitative data collection experience. Full-time role in Nairobi.
Overview
The EPharmacy Family Planning
(FP) Project seeks to strengthen the use of private-sector digital health
platforms, including telemedicine and e-pharmacy services, to expand access to
quality FP information, counselling, and contraceptive products in Kenya.
As part of the project’s MERL
activities, a mixed-methods assessment is being conducted to understand the
uptake and reach, user experience, quality of FP counselling, contraceptive
method choice and continuation, and barriers and facilitators to accessing FP
services through digital platforms.
The Research Assistants (RAs)
will support participant recruitment and quantitative and qualitative data
collection in assigned study areas, working closely with the MERL Advisor and
project team to ensure that data are collected ethically, consistently, and in
accordance with the approved study protocol.
Responsibilities
Identify,
screen, and recruit eligible study participants using approved procedures.
Obtain
informed consent before data collection.
Administer
approved survey tools and conduct in-depth interviews, as assigned.
Facilitate
interviews using appropriate probing, active listening, and neutral
interviewing techniques.
Conduct
interviews in the participant’s preferred language, where appropriate.
Record
interviews and take comprehensive field notes where consent has been obtained.
Maintain
accurate participant and interview tracking records.
Participate
in daily field briefings and debriefing sessions.
Provide
regular updates on recruitment and data collection progress.
Report
recruitment challenges, technical issues, participant concerns, and protocol
deviations promptly.
Maintain
confidentiality and secure custody of study data, equipment, and materials.
Support
data quality assurance activities as required by the study team.
Required Qualifications
Degree in
Social Sciences, Public Health, Community Development, Sociology, Anthropology,
Psychology, or a related field.
Demonstrated
experience in qualitative research, in-depth interviews, and/or survey data
collection.
Experience
in participant recruitment, screening, and informed consent.
Experience
working with human subjects in health, social science, community, or related
research.
Experience
in FP, reproductive health, digital health, telemedicine, e-pharmacy, or
related health services research is an added advantage.
Experience
in qualitative data management, transcription, cleaning, or coding is
desirable.
Ability
to establish rapport and communicate respectfully with diverse participants.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong
interpersonal, listening, and interviewing skills.
High
level of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
Ability
to work independently and as part of a research team.
Good
organizational and time-management skills.
Ability
to meet assigned data collection targets without compromising data quality.
Competence
in using smartphones, tablets, digital recording devices, and electronic data
collection tools.
Willingness
and ability to travel within the assigned study area.
Flexibility
to conduct interviews at times and locations convenient and safe for
participants.
Availability
to work full-time during the assigned data collection period.
