Consultant- Study Coordinator

Introduction

Vaccination is one of the strategies used by the WHO to confer adaptive immunity and limit the spread of the disease. Considering the difficult situation in which the world found itself with cases increasing uncontrollably, the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines was a major innovation, however, due to financial constraints in many African countries, including Mozambique, it was not possible at the beginning of the COVID-19 response to vaccinate the entire population and priority groups for vaccination were determined, including individuals suffering from chronic diseases (HIV, TB, Diabetes, Hypertension, Chronic Kidney Disease, Cancers, respiratory diseases, etc.)

Despite the existence of a platform where records of individuals' data occur, there is no data available from the programme showing coverage in the priority groups and for the chronically ill.

Aim of the study: To carry out a study to assess Covid-19 vaccination coverage in patients suffering from chronic diseases in all the capitals of Mozambique to provide scientific evidence on the coverage achieved in relation to Covid-19 vaccination, as well as the determining factors in this vaccination.

Specific Objectives:

1) To measure the coverage of the different COVID-19 vaccines administered in the Priority Groups;

2) To determine the performance of COVID-19 vaccination services in the priority groups at sub-national and national level, especially considering that administrative reports are not reliable;

3) To measure the effectiveness of interventions to increase coverage;

4) Assess the extent to which vaccination in priority groups against COVID-19 has reached the target population;

5) Calculate the drop-out rate between the start and completion of the COVID-19 vaccination series;

6) Contribute data to models of the impact of vaccination on the burden of COVID-19 including risk assessment of outbreak potential.

In this context, the World Health Organization in Maputo City is looking for a Study Coordinator to work in collaboration on a GAVI-funded research project that will help conduct a survey to assess Covid-19 vaccination coverage in patients suffering from chronic diseases in all capital provinces of Mozambique.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1.Plans and coordinates the initiation of research study protocol, and the establishment of operating policies and procedures;

2.Prepares research ethics board applications;

3.Plans, implements, and maintains data collection and analysis systems in support of research protocol; may coordinate the collection and analysis of research data.

4.Recruits, instructs, and coordinates research subjects and/or volunteers, as appropriate to specific study objectives and work scope;

5.Ensures the smooth and efficient day-to-day operation of research and data collection activities;

6.Coordinates the day-to-day activities of any technical support staff specifically engaged in the carrying out of study protocol, as appropriate to the position;

7.Support the PI in planning and coordinates the staffing of research studies, to include the recruitment and administration of research support staff, as appropriate to the activity;

8.Monitors the progress of research activities; develops and maintains records of research activities, and prepares periodic and ad hoc reports, as required by investigators, administrators, funding agencies, and/or regulatory bodies;

9.To implement quality control process throughout the conduct of the study.

Education:

-Master’s Degree in Public Health/ Epidemiology/ Social Sciences/ or related field, from a reputed institute;

-Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education, to the extent permitted by the WHO equivalency formula.

Experience

Required:

-Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in health systems research with demonstrated skills research coordination implementation;

-Familiarity with community research-based principles;

-Excellent facilitation skills;

-Experience conducting in-person quantitative/qualitative interviews and analyzing data;

-Experience in quantitative/qualitative research – data coding & analysis using common software such as SPSS, NVivo or others equivalent;

-Knowledge of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Desirable:

-Extensive knowledge of issues relating to health system or immunization services;

-Experience conducting interviews with underrepresented ethnic groups is preferred, as well as experience conducting interviews that elicit sensitive information;

-Experience using research databases and reference management software (e.g. PubMed, Endnote, RefWorks) is considered an asset;

-Experience using research databases and reference management software (e.g. PubMed, Endnote, RefWorks) is considered an asset.

Special Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

-Must be able to work independently and as part of team;

-Excellent writing skills; exhibit attention to detail;

-Ability to adapt and be flexible to change in a fast-paced research environment.

Physical Requirements:

Sitting, standing and walking for extended period.

Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.

Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s).

Ability to move standard equipment through a health facility environment.