Clinical Research Assistant

Epicentre is a non-profit organization created in 1986 by Médecins Sans Frontières, whose activities include research, field epidemiology and training. Epicentre is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Response to Emerging Diseases.Epicentre follows its activities from Paris, Geneva, Brussels, Barcelona, New-York and from research centres in Uganda and Niger.

Mission and Responsibilities

Under the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (based in Cape Town), the Clinical Research Assistant will be in charge of the implementation and follow-up of a study in Ndhiwa sub-county, Nyanza, Kenya where MSF is running a project aiming at reducing HIV incidence and mortality.
This study aims at evaluating the impact of new HIV early infant diagnosis strategies. It will measure HIV prevalence and exposure, primary resistance to ART as well as the coverage of PMTCT B+ program recently implemented in the sub-county.

The Clinical Research Assistant will work with the study investigators in Kenya (CDC, national and local officials from the Ministry of Health) and will collaborate with the MSF teams in Homa-Bay/Ndhiwa.

Main activities

1. Participate to the writing of the study procedures and forms.
2. Organise the recruitment and the training of the investigators on filling the study forms, inclusion and consenting procedures (patients fully understand study procedures and information provided to patients), biological specimens (sampling of blood, labeling, records) and laboratory testing.
3. Supervise the filling of study forms and registers by the investigators.
4. Supervise the data clerks, including training in data entry, file organization, field support, as needed and implement the double data entry system.
5. Supervise the procedure of patient’s enrolment and informed consent for participation in the study.
6. Identify and report protocol deviations to the Principal Investigator.
7. Ensure study laboratory specimens are appropriately transported from the field to the MSF laboratory, received by the study laboratory technician, processed (including log books of specimens in and results).
8. Ensure a regular contact with the Principal Investigator, including the writing and sending of a report (every 2 weeks) on the progression of the study (rythm of inclusions/non inclusions, data entry, logistics and needed support).
9. Ensure regular communications with the study partners.

Candidate requirements

Education
o Diploma in Epidemiology (MSc or equivalent)
[grades and study units taken should be sent together with the job application]
Recommended
Professional experience
o At least one year working experience in public health and/or epidemiology in resource-limited countries
o Experience in field research (especially population surveys) conducted in resources-limited countries
Recommended
o Experience in field medical projects (public health or research)
Knowledge, skills and abilities
o Knowledge of software for data entry (Epi Data, Redcap) and Statistics (Sata)
o Working experience with Word and Excel
o Fluent English speaking
o Dynamic, rigorous, with good management skills and able to work within a team
o Interest in research on HIV
o Good communication skills

Conditions

• Position based in Ndhiwa (Kenya) -first month in Cape Town (SouthAfrica)
• Field MSF/Epicentre short-term contract -8 months - starting May 1st 2015

How to apply:

Applicationsshould be made online, before April 9th, 2015 by completing the form available from the following link : http://www.epicentre.msf.org/en/job-opening
For complementary information about this position please contact:
david.maman@epicentre.msf.org