Volunteer, Research Assistant

Overview: The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to our mission of saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries. We work at the invitation of governments to support them and the private sector to create and sustain high-quality health systems. CHAI was founded in 2002 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with the goal of dramatically reducing the price of life-saving drugs and increasing access to these medicines in the countries with the highest burden of the disease. Over the following two decades, CHAI has expanded its focus. Today, along with HIV, we work in conjunction with our partners to prevent and treat infectious diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. Our work has also expanded into cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases, and we work to accelerate the rollout of lifesaving vaccines, reduce maternal and child mortality, combat chronic malnutrition, and increase access to assistive technology. We are investing in horizontal approaches to strengthen health systems through programs in human resources for health, digital health, and health financing. With each new and innovative program, our strategy is grounded in maximizing sustainable impact at scale, ensuring that governments lead the solutions, that programs are designed to scale nationally, and learnings are shared globally. At CHAI, our people are our greatest asset, and none of this work would be possible without their talent, time, dedication and passion for our mission and values. We are a highly diverse team of enthusiastic individuals across 40 countries with a broad range of skill sets and life experiences. CHAI is deeply grounded in the countries we work in, with the majority of our staff based in program countries. Learn more about our exciting work: http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org CHAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to providing an environment of fairness, and mutual respect where all applicants have access to equal employment opportunities. CHAI values diversity and inclusion, and recognizes that our mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people with diverse experience, backgrounds, and culture. Position Overview: Across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), maternal, neonatal health (MNH) outcomes lag behind those in high-income countries. Among other factors, this inequity is driven by systemic weaknesses in health systems and unequal access to lifesaving products and interventions. Maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) remains a significant public health issue in South Africa. In the past decade, many efforts and interventions have been undertaken to reduce maternal, neonatal and child mortalities. However, the outcomes are still not adequate. While interventions for addressing major drivers of maternal and newborn mortality are known, South Africa faces challenges in equitable implementation of high-quality care across its geographies, driven by wide disparities in resource availability and workforce capacity within the country. CHAI has partnered with the University of Pretoria and aims to highlight the role of low-cost, point-of-care (POC) technology in helping to close this disparity and outline a strategy for ensuring greater access to these devices in primary healthcare (PHC) settings in South Africa. CHAI is seeking Research Associates with relevant experience in maternal and child health programs. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting patient recruitment interviews for research studies, providing maternal and child health promotion education, accurately entering and managing data, ensuring its integrity, and supporting our research initiatives. This role will be seconded to UP to join the project team and report under UP Project Lead. The Research Associates will be based in Western Cape (Tygerberg and Northern), and will be reporting to a Research Associate Supervisor in the specific province. Responsibilities: Training and Study Onboarding

• Assist in identifying potential participants for the study by reviewing eligibility criteria and conducting initial screening.
• Keep detailed and accurate records of all recruited participants, noting their contact information, eligibility status, and any interactions related to their enrollment in the study.
• Obtain informed consent from study participants and ensure that participants have a clear understanding of the study by offering any necessary documents or resources.
• Schedule appointments or follow-up communication to officially enroll participants in the study.
• Ensure all client interactions are conducted with the highest level of sensitivity, respect, and objectivity.

Interviews and Health Education

• Support the study recruitment process by reaching out to potential participants, scheduling interviews, and ensuring that participants meet the necessary criteria for the study.
• Help prepare interview materials, including consent forms, interview guides, and any necessary background information for participants. Ensure all equipment (e.g., audio recorders, consent documentation) is set up and ready to use before each session.
• Under supervision, conduct interviews with participants in a structured format, following the established protocol.
• Accurately transcribe interview data, taking care to capture participants responses verbatim.
• Organize and store interview data in a secure and organized manner.
• If needed, assist with scheduling follow-up interviews with participants or collect additional information to clarify any ambiguities from the initial interviews.
• Assist in the creation of easy-to-understand materials (e.g., flyers, posters, or digital presentations)that explain the purpose and process of the research study to participants in the waiting room.
• Assist in conducting brief informational sessions or discussions with participants in the waiting room.
• Help distribute and collect consent forms, ensuring all necessary signatures and information are obtained before participants engage in the study.
• Keep a log of participants who have attended the information sessions, noting any individuals who express interest or who may need follow-up communication.

Data Entry and Management

• Utilize the electronic data management systems (such as REDCap) to capture and manage data for research projects.
• Put collected data into electronic systems (such as REDCap or other databases) while ensuring adherence to protocols and standards.
• Maintain open communication with the Principal Investigator (PI) to promptly report and discuss any data entry errors or inconsistencies and develop strategies for correction.
• Ensure that all collected data is kept confidential and secure, in compliance with ethical guidelines and data protection regulations.
• Review data entries.

Training and Collaboration

• Attend all relevant training sessions related to the research study.
• Work collaboratively with team members to address and resolve evolving issues related to the study.
• Attend meetings with the research team to discuss progress and any challenges.
• Perform any other tasks as necessary for the study as directed by the principal investigator, project lead, or supervisor of research assistants.

Qualifications:

• Grade 12/Diploma/Bachelors degree with appropriate experience in a research environment
• A minimum of 5 years with a Diploma or 10 years with Grade 12 of experience in a research environment with patient interviews and data capturing
• Strong writer, facilitator and oral communicator able to explain complex concepts to a variety of audiences.
• Understand maternal and child health
• Ability to work independently, self-motivated and propose new initiatives;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and quickly adapt to changing priorities;
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
• Proficiency in the use of databases and software, e.g. REDCap.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to build relationships in a multicultural environment; and
• Excellent verbal, written interpersonal and presentation skills in English

Advantages

• Valid Drivers license is desirable
• Good Clinical Practice Training is desirable

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