Adolescent Sexual & Reproductive Health (ASRH) Research Assistant at Jhpiego - John Hopkins University

Reporting to: State ASRH Study Coordinators
Duration of Contract: 30 Consecutive Days (1 month)

Project Summary

• Maternal Child Survival Program (MCSP), a global USAID - funded project with the purpose of Ending Preventable Cause of Death (EPCD), will conduct an Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) study in Ondo Nigeria.
• This is essentially a formative research to understand the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescent mothers in the state and the gaps in the current system.
• We will conduct a qualitative, cross - sectional, descriptive study using focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (lDls).
• We are looking for highly motivated, multitasking and experienced individuals to work as Research Assistants (RAs) in Ondo state.

Responsibilities

• Attend 5 days training on ASRH study data collection and use of audio- recorders
• Support the Research study team in orienting and training youth groups and other stakeholders (CHEWs or CHWs in the community on how to recruit volunteers in a non-pressuring or coercive way using the voucher system.
• Participates in recruitment of adolescents through respondent - driven sampling and a voucher system.
• Conduct selection and screening of recruited participants using specified selection criteria and obtaining consent from selected participants
• Obtain and submit initial screening information from participants to the research team
• Create consent logs and group cohort logs; share group cohort logs with providers; update State ASRH Study Coordinator weekly with enrollment numbers
• Conduct qualitative data collection (FGDs and lDls) to all consented study subjects at the time of consent
• Track study subjects to participate in group discussions at appropriate times; record if subjects move out of study area and/or are lost to follow up
• Arrange meeting time and place in consultation with health facility managers
• Support Focused group discussion in their respective areas as requested by the research team
• Ensure safe custody of equipment issued for the study
• Keep accurate records of consent forms and other study related documents.
• Advise the research team on any ethical issues that may arise during the period of engagement in the study
• With the State ASRH Study Coordinator, set targets and work out timesheet of activities conducted.
• Write and submit a weekly report of activities conducted to the State ASRH Study Coordinator

Qualifications/Experiences/Competencies

• A Degree in Sociology, Health Sciences Research or Biostatistics, Nursing, Public Health is desirable. Master in Public Health, Biostatistics or Sociology is an added advantage
• Experience in qualitative research methods and publication track record are desirable
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are critical
• Good spoken and written English
• Excellent spoken and written Yoruba are desirable
• Sensitivity to sociocultural and religious differences is expected
• Ability to muititask and meet deadlines at short notice
• Excellent report writing skills
• Competence with data analysis software including Atlas.ti is desirable