Post Masters Social Scientist – Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust
Job Description
Introduction
The Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Research Programme (MLW) is an internationally recognised centre for research and research training, affiliated to the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS). MLW has 2 aims, to conduct excellent research to benefit health and train the next generation of researchers and leaders. Our Blantyre-based offices located within the vicinity of the largest hospital in Malawi, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) provide for the optimum research environment.
POSITION FUNCTION (PURPOSE): In summary, why does the job exist?
The Post-Masters Social Scientist will be a full-time post based at MLW with some field visits to District Hospitals to support data collection. The position holder will lead the qualitative and quantitative process evaluation of Multilink Trial in 10 District Hospitals. They will supervise a team of Field Research Assistants to conduct qualitative and quantitative interviews, observations and hospital assessments. They will lead in the analysis, reporting, publication and dissemination of the process evaluation findings. They will work in close collaboration with the Study Coordinator, the Study Clinical Lead, Study Site Investigators and the Research Nurses. They will also collaborate with study partners in Tanzania in a cross country analysis and reporting.
The Multilink Trial is a multicentre parallel cluster randomised controlled trial of an enhanced diagnostic and treatment intervention to identify and control three primary chronic disease presentations (HIV, hypertension, and diabetes) and reduce the risk of hospital readmission and death 90 days after index admission. Nested within this will be process evaluation work to identify bottlenecks to diagnosis and management of multimorbidity, to observe healthcare interactions and to develop a structured understanding of healthcare delivery along the continuum of care in intervention and usual care facilities.
Responsibilities
Technical
Lead implementation of the qualitative and quantitative process evaluation of the Multilink Trial. This will include working with the broader Multilink team to:
- Lead the development of relevant data collection tools for the qualitative and quantitative process evaluation of Multilink trial.
- Lead the team of Field Research Assistants in longitudinal data collection including in-depth interviews, patient exit interviews, observations, drug stock audits, hospital assessments.
- Develop data analysis templates for coding and extracting data from various qualitative data sources.
- Lead on the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data for the process evaluation of the Multilink trial.
- Collaborate with Multilink consortium partners in Tanzania for a cross-country data analysis, reporting and publications.
- Participate in work package and study meetings for both process evaluation and the main trial with all study investigators.
- Lead on the drafting of study report in collaboration with the study investigators, for later dissemination
- Lead on the drafting of research papers and submission to identified and agreed journals
- Lead on development of policy briefs for local, national and international policy stakeholders.
- Participate in dissemination workshops of the research findings at national and international levels.
- Ensure adherence to ethical standards and guidelines in all research activities.
- Provide additional support for the project as requested and attend all relevant meetings.
Health and Safety.
- Ensuring the attendance of all scheduled and mandatory Health and Safety programs for section team members.
- Ensuring that Health and Safety rules are always followed within the section.
- Participate in health risk management exercises.
- Notify the line manager on all accidents and potential hazards.
Safeguarding
- To be well knowledgeable of the MLW safeguarding policy/provisions and act in accordance with these at all times.
Requirements
COMPETENCE CRITERIA: (i.e., Education, Training, and Experience Requirements).
| COMPETENCY CRITERIA | ESSENTIAL/DESIRABLE |
| Qualifications, Training & Knowledge | |
| Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Social science, public health, qualitative research, implementation science). | E |
| Understanding of health issues, services and systems in Low and Middle-Income countries (LMICs) | E |
| Training at Masters level in implementation research methods, health systems research methods, including critical appraisal and application of theoretical frameworks to drive effective change | E |
| Good clinical practice (GCP) certificate | D |
| Familiarity with secondary care diagnostic and treatment processes in Malawi | D |
| Familiarity with clinical and health economics research | D |
| Experience | |
| Experience in qualitative and potential in mixed research methods in delivery of health systems research studies | E |
| Experience in conducting process evaluations of complex health interventions in health facilities in low-income settings. | E |
| Experience in transcribing and translating audio recordings and working with word transcription software. | D |
| Experienced and competent in use of software for qualitative data analysis e.g. NVivo | E |
| Experienced and competent in delivery of clinical quality improvement and/or implementation science driven clinical projects | D |
| Experience working and engaging effectively with a cross section of community, local and national stakeholders including patient groups, healthcare workers and policy makers | D |
| Experience in publishing in journals in health systems and social science research | D |
| Experience in project supervision, including training and leading teams of research assistants | E |
| Skills & Behaviours | |
| Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate at all levels in Chichewa and English | E |
| Demonstrable attention to detail and accuracy, leading to high quality control of research data and results | E |
| Excellent organisational skills with the ability to achieve research objectives independent of day-to-day supervision | E |
| Ability to work as an integral, productive and co-operative member of a multi-disciplinary team in a flexible and competent manner and to liaise effectively with collaborators from different cultures | E |
| Project management experience in research including training research assistants, managing a budget and data quality assurance | E |
| Circumstances | |
| Able to conduct work based in hospitals in Malawi | E |
| Demonstrates a confident, enthusiastic, and energetic approach, with a willingness to get involved in all aspects of the project | E |
| Determination to contribute programme productivity (publication, stakeholder engagement) | E |
| Ability to work productively and co-operatively and to develop excellent working relationships with academic and non-academic colleagues | E |
| Proficient in MS Office Software especially Excel, Word and PowerPoint | E |
| Flexibility to occasionally work outside of normal hours to meet deadlines | E |
| Ability to undertake national and international travel | E |
| Malawi national | D |
WORK COMPLEXITY: The degree of complexity of the job, i.e., how simple, standardized, or complicated the work is:
- Complex: The role requires a high-level focus and multitasking approach while delivering quality work.
Mode of application and Requirements
- copies of relevant certificates,
- a detailed CV with 3 contactable referees
- All documents should be sent in the applicant’s names as one (1) pdf file.
- Please indicate the position title (As indicated above) as the heading of the email.
- All applications should be sent to vacancies@mlw.mw
- Applications that do not adhere to the above instructions will not be considered
MLW recognizes its responsibility in safeguarding and protecting communities, research participants and patients with whom MLW is working. Please note that successful candidates will be requested to undergo a safeguarding check prior to appointment and at regular time points during employment.