Multiple Jobs

Job Description

Zambart is an independent Zambian research organization whose headquarters is at the University of Zambia’s Ridgeway Campus in Lusaka. Zambart is globally renowned for its interdisciplinary research on HIV and Tuberculosis including a broader scope of urgent public health issues. Zambart has contributed to HIV and TB policy and practice at national and global levels. Zambart staff form an interdisciplinary team with a range of expertise including epidemiology, clinical science, social science, laboratory, operations research, health systems and services research, health policy analysis, health economics, health communication, counselling, and community engagement.

Our vision is to conduct quality interdisciplinary health research on issues of public health importance in Zambia and contribute to improving health policy and practice, leading to better health for all.

Our mission is to contribute to global public health policy and practice through the generation of an evidence base by conducting high-quality health research in Zambia.

Zambart has new studies that are starting and requires different services for different studies as below:

A. ZAMSA-TB Study :

Study Summary: Zambia, Malawi, South Africa Tuberculosis (ZAMSA-TB) Study – Advancing epidemiological methods for surveillance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The project will be conducted in the Chipata and Kanyama communities of Lusaka. The overall aim of the project is to develop and validate innovative epidemiological methods for understanding recent TB transmission through convenience Sero sampling of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) immunoreactivity, thereby supporting the targeted deployment of interventions like TB vaccines and measuring their impact during implementation. Children aged 1-5 years will be tested for TB infection, and advanced geospatial statistics and modelling will be used to develop a new epidemiological framework. Research activities will be conducted in Lusaka at two First Level Hospitals in the target communities, and the catchment communities of said hospitals.

1. Research Assistant

Duty Station: 02 – Kanyama community and 02 – Chipata community

Job Purpose: Reporting to the Study Manager, the research assistant will be responsible for administering informed consent for study participants and ensuring that all study-related activities are done per the study protocol and standard operating procedures (SOPs). They will manage and conduct research activities in the community and at the health facility.

Key Responsibilities:

Enumerate households in the catchment communities to recruit guardians of eligible children into the study.
Participate in community sensitization activities.
Obtain informed consent from the participants during the baseline visit.
Administer the ZAMSA TB questionnaire to study participants.
Conduct follow-up study-related activities on recruited participants.
Filling and completing study documents.
Report any protocol deviations immediately to the study manager.
Collaborate with community mobilisers and research nurses to ensure the effective operation of study activities.
Ensure adherence to the SOPs at the health facility and the community.
Perform other duties as required by the supervisor.

Requirements

Must have a Grade Twelve (12) certificate
Any public health, sociology, development degree or diploma inrelated field
Good social communication skills
Knowledge about TB/HIV research
Computer literacy and ability to use an electronic data capture device (tablet)
Be registered with the Counselling Council of Zambia
A minimum of 2 years of work experience
Fluency in English and one or more local languages spoken in the target communities.
Must be able to maintain client confidentiality
Previous experience as a home-based care worker, TB treatment support worker, Lay Counsellor or community health worker in the same community is an advantage.

2. Community Mobiliser

Duty Station: 01 – Kanyama community and 01 – Chipata community

Job Purpose: Reporting to the Community Engagement Coordinator, the community mobilizer will be in charge of planning and conducting community engagement activities for the study, including facilitating stakeholder involvement. The Community Mobiliser will also be tasked with strengthening links with community stakeholders and partners, working closely with the Community Advisory Board (CAB).

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct meetings with community stakeholders.
Work with community stakeholders to ensure smooth operation of the study.
Organise and conduct community announcements and activities to raise awareness about the disease and the study.
Organise and conduct door-to-door sensitisation targeting randomised areas to generate demand for the study.
Ensure timely submission of work plans and activity reports.
Document all community engagement and relevant stories/incidents related to the study.

Requirements

Aged between 25 and 40 with a Grade 12 certificate.
Must have a social work or development related qualification. A certificate in psychosocial counselling will be an added advantage.
Trained community health worker, resident of the community.
Must be known at the local health facility and in the community
Able to speak, read, and write English and be conversant with local languages.
Experience in working with the community stakeholders, community organisations and partners.
Experience in planning and implementing strategic community sensitisation activities.
Be conversant with the local geography, social, and economic characteristics of the community.

3. Research Nurse

Duty Station: 01 – Kanyama community and 01 – Chipata community

Job Purpose: Reporting to the Study Manager, the study nurse will ensure that study participants are screened, recruited and managed according to the study protocol and standard operating procedures (SOPs). S/He will be involved in maintaining participant privacy and confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities:

Maintain good clinical and laboratory practice when attending to participants
Monitoring of vital signs and measurements
Collection of blood and other research samples
Assessment of study participants
Participant follow-up activities
Reporting of any protocol deviation immediately to the Study Manager and PI
Perform quality control of study activities
Ensure adherence to the SOPs at the health facility.
Perform other duties as required by the supervisor.

Requirements

Degree or Diploma in Nursing with current registration with the General Nursing Council of Zambia
An Advanced Diploma in Paediatric Nursing will be an added advantage
Demonstrate knowledge of TB and HIV services
A minimum of 2 years of work experience
Experience in public health research will be an added advantage
Experience in working with young children will be an added advantage
A certificate in Good Clinical Practice will be an added advantage
Excellent social communication skills
Ability to work in a team as well as independently
Computer literacy and ability to use electronic data capture device (tablet)
Fluency in English and one or more local languages spoken in the catchment communities

B. Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) Study

Study Summary: The study aims to improve health outcomes and inclusive service delivery for individuals with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) in Zambia through community-based research that explores lived experiences and evaluates accessible treatment options. We are looking for two ambitious, suitably qualified candidates to fill the position of community mobilizer to support community engagement activities for a new study called Community based Ear and Hearing.

Community Mobiliser.

Duty Station: 01 – Ipongo community and 01 – Katondo community.

Job Purpose: Reporting to the Community Engagement Coordinator, the community mobilizer will be in charge of planning and conducting community engagement activities for the study including facilitating stakeholder involvement. The Community Mobiliser will also be tasked with strengthening links with community stakeholders and partners working closely with the Community Health Advocacy Team (CHAT).

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct meetings with community stakeholders.
Work with community stakeholders to ensure smooth operation of the study.
Organize and conduct community announcements activities to raise awareness about the disease and the study.
Organize and conduct door to door sensitization targeting randomized areas to generate demand for the study.
Ensure timely submission of work plans and activity reports.
Document all community engagement and relevant stories/incidents related to study.

Requirements

Aged between 25 and 40 with a Grade 12 certificate.
Must have a social work or development related qualification. A certificate in psychosocial counselling will be an added advantage.
Trained community health worker, resident of the community.
Able to speak, read, and write English and be conversant with local languages.
Experience in working with the community stakeholders, community organizations and partners.
Experience in planning and implementing strategic community sensitization activities.
Be conversant with the local geography, social, and economic characteristics of the community.

How to apply

Applicants meeting the criteria for the above jobs should send their latest CVs, three traceable reference contacts, and a cover letter outlining clearly how they meet the above criteria, stating in the subject line the position you are applying for to: The Head of Human Resources, Zambart Head Office, Ridgeway Campus, P.O Box 50697, Lusaka or send your application via email to [email protected].