Field Research Assistant

Field Research Assistant Vacancy (contract-9 months)

F50 study is a randomized phase-I clinical trial aiming to evaluate the safety of providing lower caloric feed to ill severely malnourished children. The study will be implemented at the Paediatric Research ward, at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in collaboration with our key partners: the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KuHes), SickKids Hospital in Canada, the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health in Queens, and Blantyre Malaria Project.

We are looking for a temporary Field research assistant (FRA) to assist in screening, recruitment of participants, data collection, specimen collection, tracing and following up of patients if required. The FRA will work in close collaboration with the research nurses, clinicians, project coordinator, and senior investigators.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Screening and participant recruitment

• Assisting in planning and conducting sensitization activities on the recruitment wards
• Explaining the study aim and procedures involved to patients and their guardians and answering questions properly.
• Obtaining informed consent from participants

Data collection & Investigation

• Administering CRFs and ensuring data completeness
• Support ward staff to collect data
• Entering collected data into study database
• Conducting routine data quality checks with the data manager
• Responding to data queries raised by the data manager

General administrative roles

• Proper maintenance of paper and electronic study documentation
• Ensure that study equipment and consumables are always available
• Attending weekly meetings with the the study team and PI

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES:

• Ensure compliance with all study SOPs and Good Clinical Practice guidelines
• Work closely with the team, be a team player with a positive attitude
• Effective time management
• Understanding and adherence to hospitals’ policies and procedures
• Display professionalism at all times
• Maintaining confidentiality of patients’ records and respect patients and guardians’ privacy and rights
• Proper maintenance of study equipment
• Treating participants and their guardians / families with respect at all times.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of diploma in Public Health, community work, nutrition, child development or any other relevant field.
• At least 2 years clinical research experience in a hospital setting, those with experience in peadiatric setting will have an advantage.
• GCP training certificate

KEY COMPENTENCIES/ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS

• Excellent communications skills
• Good written and spoken English
• Participant interviewing skills
• Well-organised
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Adaptability to work in a multidisciplinary team
• Capacity to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Proficiency in use of electronic data capturing system
• Good recording keeping and time-management
• Result-oriented
• Team player

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Copies of relevant certificates,
• A detailed CV with 2 contactable referees
• All documents should be sent in the applicant’s name as one (1) pdf file.
• Please indicate the position title and name as the heading of the email.
• All applications should be sent to f50trial@gmail.com

Application Deadline is 10th April, 2025