Study Coordinator

2 hours ago

 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) · Blantyre, Malawi

Listing expires November 1, 2026

JOB VACANCY

MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES FRANCE

 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a non-profit, independent international humanitarian organization committed to delivering medical aid to populations facing crises, with a steadfast commitment to impartiality and without regard to race, religion, creed, or political affiliation. In Malawi, MSF collaborates closely with the Ministry of Health and the local community, particularly in the Cervical Cancer project in the Blantyre and Chiradzulu districts, as well as the CBO Project in Zalewa and Dedza District.

MSF France is recruiting a Study Coordinator based in Blantyre, Malawi, with the possibility of relocation to other locations within Malawi, depending on operational needs.

STUDY COORDINATOR – PAVE POST-THERMAL ABLATION FOLLOW-UP STUDY

 Workplace           : Blantyre

Start date             : As soon as possible

Main Purpose

Coordinate the field implementation of the PAVE Post-Thermal Ablation Follow-up Study in Malawi, from study set-up to closure, ensuring quality, ethical conduct and compliance with the protocol and SOPs. Facilitate participant follow-up and clinical assessment, document outcomes among women who underwent thermal ablation or were diagnosed with CIN2+, and ensure reliable study data and coordination between MSF, Epicentre and participating health facilities.

Accountabilities
•    Coordinate the overall field implementation of the study, from study set-up to closure, including planning, monitoring and adaptation of study activities, and ensuring implementation according to the protocol, SOPs, timeline, ethical requirements and Good Clinical Practice.

•    Coordinate and supervise the study team, comprising nurses, community health worker and driver, in collaboration with MSF and Epicentre. Ensure appropriate training on the protocol, SOPs, research ethics, confidentiality, study procedures and data collection, and liaise with data managers, health centres and hospital units as required.

•    Oversee study data management and data quality, ensuring timely and accurate completion of study forms and electronic databases, appropriate linkage with existing PAVE data, regular completeness and consistency checks, resolution of data queries, and secure handling of identifiable participant information.

•    Ensure study quality and regulatory compliance, including maintenance of essential study documentation, implementation of quality-control and monitoring procedures, and timely identification and reporting of protocol deviations or issues affecting participant safety, ethical conduct or data quality.

•    Monitor study progress and address operational challenges, including those related to participant follow-up, human resources, clinical coordination, data, equipment, transport and logistics, in collaboration with relevant MSF and Epicentre teams.

•    Act as the main field focal point for the study, ensuring regular communication and coordination between the study team, Epicentre, MSF project and coordination teams, participating in health facilities, QECH and relevant Ministry of Health counterparts, and providing regular progress reports to supervisors.

•    Contribute to study documentation, reporting and dissemination, including SOPs and training materials, study reports, study closure and archiving, and dissemination of study findings.

•       Perform other study-related duties as required and agree with supervisors.

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

CONTEXT

Created by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 1986, Epicentre carries out field epidemiology, training and medical research in support of MSF’s humanitarian objectives. We have three research centres in France, Niger and Uganda and epidemiologists on site. Our areas of expertise cover infectious diseases (malaria, TB, HIV, cholera, Ebola, Lassa fever, etc.), neglected diseases (leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, etc.) and chronic diseases that are on the rise in African countries, such as diabetes and cancer.

The PAVE Post-Thermal Ablation Follow-up Study is a prospective cohort study nested within the PAVE Malawi study. It aims to assess outcomes among women previously screened for cervical cancer through PAVE, with a particular focus on women who underwent thermal ablation and women diagnosed with CIN2+ at baseline.

The primary objective is to determine post-treatment outcomes, including the presence of precancer lesions or HPV infection, using histopathology and HPV genotyping among women who underwent thermal ablation. A secondary objective is to assess outcomes among women diagnosed with CIN2+ during the PAVE study, including women subsequently managed at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH).

The study will actively trace women previously enrolled in PAVE and facilitate follow-up through HPV self-sampling and, where indicated, clinical assessment and cervical biopsy. It will also include a review of hospital records for women with CIN2+ referred to QECH to document their pathway of care and treatment received.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

•   Coordinate participant tracing and follow-up activities across Blantyre and Chiradzulu districts, including participant contact, appointment scheduling, HPV self-sampling, communication of results, transport and referral to MSF-supported facilities for further assessment when indicated.

•   Monitor the clinical follow-up pathway and coordinate with clinical teams as needed to ensure that standard-of-care procedures—including VIA, cervical biopsy, treatment and referral when indicated—are appropriately performed and documented in accordance with study SOPs.

•     Lead the QECH medical record review for women with CIN2+ referred during PAVE, ensuring that their pathway of care, investigations, treatment and available outcomes are appropriately documented.

Requirements

Education:
  • Degree in public health, epidemiology, or clinical research.
  • Medical or paramedical degree, such as physician, midwife or nurse, with sufficient clinical experience to review and interpret medical records and understand clinical pathways.
  • Solid understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
Experience:
  • Demonstrated experience in the implementation and coordination of epidemiological, operational or clinical research
  • Experience in project coordination and team management – essential.
  • Experience in sexual and reproductive health, women’s health, cervical cancer prevention or HPV screening and treatment is a strong asset.
  • Experience reviewing and extracting information from medical records and clinical documentation is an asset.
  • Experience in cohort studies, longitudinal follow-up or research involving active participant tracing is an asset.
  • Experience working with MSF, Ministry of Health services, or similar health programmes is an asset.
LanguagesFluently spoken and written English
Knowledge•   Excellent command of research project and team management – essential

•       Excellent organizational, analytical, record-keeping, oral and written communication skills.

 

Competencies•   Ability to adapt to complex and changing environments and meet tight deadlines.

•   Collaborative and inclusive leadership, strong interpersonal skills, team spirit and diplomacy.

•   Ability to provide support / contribute beyond their area of expertise.

•       Sense of responsibility, rigor.

 

 CONTRACT AND LOCATION

Fixed-term contract: 9 months. Base: Blantyre, Malawi, with activities across Blantyre and Chiradzulu districts. Start date: as soon as possible. Salary: level 12 of the MSF field salary grid, plus benefits linked to the field contract.

WHAT WE OFFER

Work in a multicultural team at the intersection of research and humanitarian medicine.

Engage with MSF’s operational research agenda

Be part of a mission-driven organization with a collaborative and supportive culture.

How to apply

Epicentre is committed to protecting the personal data of its members, employees, and applicants. The data collected during this application process will be strictly shared with individuals involved in the recruitment process, ensuring fair and quality handling, regardless of the location of the Epicentre entity they belong to.

This job description may be amended in line with the activities or evolution of the Mission.

To apply use the below link or Scan the QR code below.

Link: https://forms.gle/jXfjAyszksfMo6Sa7

Applicants meeting the requirements are encouraged to send their Cover Letter, Updated CV, ID Copy, and relevant certificates, in Pdf or word format.

 The closing date for receiving applications is 01st November 2026 at 5:00pm

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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 Equal Opportunities and Non-Discrimination: MSF offers equal recruitment and development opportunities without discrimination based on gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, geographical origin, physical disability or any other discriminatory ground. Female candidates who meet the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Safe Recruitment: MSF is committed to applying safe recruitment principles, ensuring transparent, fair and respectful recruitment processes that protect candidates, the organization and its beneficiaries.

Fraud Prevention: MSF does not charge any application, recruitment or training fees. If you are requested to pay any amount to process your application or access employment with MSF, do not pay and report this immediately to the MSF administration at msff-lilongwe-recruitment@paris.msf.org

Job Description: This job description provides a framework for the main responsibilities and primary activities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties.