Research Assistant – 3 positions

Background

Makerere University School of Public Health, in partnership with San Diego State University and the Makerere University Walter Reed Program, is implementing Kisoboka II, an NIH-funded five-year study on reducing hazardous alcohol use and optimising treatment as prevention among men living with HIV in fishing communities.

Responsibilities

• To support participant recruitment and follow-up data collection, including interviews, blood sample collection and handling, while ensuring high-quality, ethical and protocol-compliant research implementation.
• Recruit, screen and obtain informed consent from eligible study participants.
• Collect, prepare, document and coordinate transport of blood samples in line with study protocols.
• Maintain study records, participant identifiers, data-collection tools, supplies and equipment.
• Prepare daily field updates and reports; participate in training, debrief and review meetings.
• Support mobilisation, distribute participant incentives, and comply with study protocols, ethics and confidentiality requirements.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Project Manager.

Qualifications and Desirable Qualities

• Bachelor’s degree, diploma or equivalent qualification, with training in phlebotomy.
• At least two years’ research-assistant experience in quantitative health or psychosocial data collection.
• Proficiency in ODK, Kobo Collect or similar tablet- or phone-based data-collection platforms.
• Fluency in Luganda and English, with strong communication, data-quality and confidentiality skills.
• Experience in fishing-community or health research, and Good Clinical Practice or Human Subjects Protection certification, are added advantages.
• Willingness to work in field settings, relocate or travel to islands, and occasionally work outside official hours.