MRC UNIT, THE GAMBIA

JOB DESCRIPTION

ANTHROPOLOGY FIELD ASSISTANT: MATIMMS AFRICA

  1. Job Title: Field ssistant
  1. Accountability:

The post holder will be accountable to Social scientist (MRC).

  1. Purpose of the Job:

The post holder will be based in Fajarafor the anthropological study of the MATIMMSAFRICA project, which aims to understand the preparedness and acceptability of women and health care professionals to the administration of vaccines given in pregnancy. The post-holder will be required to assist with the setup of focus group discussions, actively participatein theconduct of both the in-depth interviews and focus group discussions andto translate for the social scientist in the field, where necessary.The post holder will carry out other relevant fieldwork when required (i.e. frequently contacting study participants, facilitators and key informants, and administering structured standardized questionnaires). In addition, the post holder needs to develop a good relationship with study participants, facilitators and health care professionals in each study site.The main research will be carried out in the West Coast, North Bank, Central River and Upper River divisions.

  1. Introduction:

Established in 1947, the Medical Research Council Unit in The Gambia has an international reputation for ground-breaking research into some of the leading causes of morbidityand mortality in the tropics. To reflect changes in national and global health priorities and new international funding opportunities a new research portfolio has been organized under three themes: Disease Control & Elimination; Nutrition; Vaccines and Immunity.

Vaccination of women during pregnancy is an increasingly accepted strategy to protect newborns from a number of specific infections. This is a strategy applied in the prevention of pertussis and influenza in a number of resource-rich countries, and for the prevention of tetanus in low-income countries. Other vaccines considered for potential use during pregnancy are those against Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), both of which are currently in active development.

The objective of this anthropological study is to assess the acceptability of maternal vaccinations in The Gambia. The study will provide site-specific information for the possible introduction of new maternal vaccines (GBS and RSV) and related health system factors in the local context. The MATIMMS AFRICA project is in collaboration between MRC Gambia and IRESSEF Senegal, both part of the West Africa Global Health Alliance (WAGHA).

  1. Grade:6 point13
  1. Key Responsibilities:

The post-holder will be responsible for the following:

  • Participate in anthropological fieldwork in the West Coast, North Bank, Central River and Upper River divisions.
  • Obtain written ororalinformed consent from the participants in their preferred local language.
  • Accurately translateduring interviews (formal and informal) and focus group discussions.
  • Assist with the setup offocus group discussions and moderate when necessary
  • Accurately enter descriptive interview data onto the Excellogbook designed by the social scientist.
  • Interview study participants with a standardized questionnaire.
  • Precisely transcribe spoken language from audio recordings to written English text on Microsoft Word.
  • Have the ability to think critically and carry out tasks independently following the instructions of the social scientist.
  • Ensure correct documentation of events in the field and proper filing of project and administrative documents.
  • Support the social scientist in the planning and organization of workflow.
  • Ensure prompt and timely transfer of data from the field to the social scientist and Excel logbook.
  • Maintain frequent communication with the social scientist and communicate concerns and issues that arise in the field in a timely manner.
  • Retrieving and safekeeping of data collection results according to the code of ethics of the American Anthropological Association.
  • Ensure that good relations are maintained at all times with study participants, their family, facilitators, health care professionals and communitymembers in each study site.
  • Undertakeall tasks by strictly following the relevant safety rules and regulations as laid down in MRC safety manual.
  1. Relationships:

i)The post holder is a full-time member of staff at the MRC.

ii)The post-holder will report to Ms.PendaJohm.

iii)The Principal Investigator of the study is Professor Beate Kampmann.

iv)The co-Principal Investigator of the study is Ms. Penda Johm.

v)The Theme Leader for Vaccines and Immunity is Professor Beate Kampmann.

vi)The Unit Director is Professor Umberto D’Alessandro.

vii)The Director of Operations is Mr. Joan Vives Tomas.

7.Appraisals:

Appraisals are held at least annually. The Line Manager isMs.PendaJohm.

8.Length of appointment:

The appointment is initially one year from December 2017 following an appraisal after 3 months.

  1. Any other duties:

To perform any other duties consistent with the remit and level of the post.

Signed:

Job Holder: Date:

Signed:

Line Manager:Date:

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Field Assistant

  1. Essential
  • 3 O’levels or grade 12 certificate with credits in English and Maths.
  • Excellent knowledge of the English language with a strong emphasis on spelling, punctuation and grammar.
  • Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English.
  • Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity.
  • Ability to deal sensitively with study participants.
  • Respectful, honest, trustworthy, organizedand flexible.
  • Past experience working co-operatively in a team.
  • Excellent verbal, communication, organization and time management skills.
  • Ability to speak and understand at least two local languages, including Mandinkaand Wolof.
  • Past experience using Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Flexibility and availability to travel to other study sites in The Gambia.
  1. Desirable
  • Pastexperience translating during field research in The Gambia.
  • Past experience carrying out interviews and/or focus group discussions.
  • Ability to speak and understand the Fulaand Jola languages.
  • Ability to transcribe a one hour long audio recording within a maximum 24-hour time frame.
  • Willingness to work flexi-time.