Research Assistant

RESPECTFUL MATERNAL AND NEWBORN CARE PROJECT

The Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), with funding from the NIHR Global Health Unit on the Prevention and Management of Stillbirths and Neonatal Deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, is implementing the ‘Respectful Maternal and Newborn Care Project’. The Project will be implemented at Zomba Central Hospital, Maternity Wing.

The NIHR Global Health Unit on the Prevention and Management of Stillbirths and Neonatal Deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, led from the Centre for Childbirth, Women’s and Newborn Health at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine UK, is an established equitable multidisciplinary partnership between Africa, Asia and UK-based researchers. As an international centre of research excellence, its goal is to end preventable stillbirths and newborn deaths, ensure adequate support for parents and families who have experienced the death of a baby and reduce associated stigma.

The Project requires the services of a Research Assistant to support the effective implementation of its activities. KUHeS is therefore inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill this position.

LOCATION

The Research Assistant will be based in Zomba.

CONTRACT TYPE

Fixed-term contract of nine (9) months

JOB OVERVIEW

The Research Assistant will work on a project related to implementation and evaluation of respectful maternal and newborn care bundle. This work is an extension of previous work in Tanzania and Malawi, which demonstrated reductions in disrespectful care following implementation of low-cost, co-produced interventions. The Research Assistant will contribute to delivering this project to improve care for women. The focus of the Research Assistant’s work will be on ensuring that the project objectives are met. This will include a range of activities including supporting the receipt of ethical approvals, recruitment and data collection, contributing to data analysis, data management, providing progress reports and liaising with stakeholders, Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI) groups and the wider team. Additional research activities may also be required, according to the needs of the project. Opportunities for training will be available throughout the programme.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Research Assistant will be expected to perform the following key duties and responsibilities:

• Support the development of research protocols.
• Secure local ethical and international ethical approvals.
• Carry out recruitment of participants.
• Collect and manage data.
• Contribute to analysis of data.
• Liaise with key stakeholders.
• Meet regularly with CEI groups.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Work within research governance, ethical and safeguarding principles.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Master of Science degree in Reproductive Health, Midwifery, Child Health Nursing, or Public Health from an accredited institution
• Minimum 3 years’ experience as a Nurse Midwife
• Minimum 4 years’ experience as a Research Assistant
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in MS Word and PowerPoint
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Recent experience in maternity care
• Experience in multi‑disciplinary team working
• Research experience in academic and/or healthcare settings
• Methodological expertise relevant to the programme
• Solid understanding of research methods and evaluation approaches
• Ability to critically read, evaluate, and synthesise research literature
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage workload, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines
• Strong report writing skills

Desirable

• Experience in project management
• Contribution to published research outputs
• Experience in designing or leading evaluation research projects
• Registered Midwife, Nurse or allied health professional
• Experience/knowledge of participatory research approaches.
• Experience of clinical trials.
• Experience of qualitative methods and analysis.
• Familiarity with data collection software; such as RedCap.
• Experience of engagement with CEI groups.
• Experience in data management and analysis.
• Familiar with regional approaches to healthcare.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should submit their applications by email to  recruitment@kuhes.ac.mw and address the covering letter to:

The Registrar
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Private Bag 360
Chichiri
Blantyre 3

The Applications should include a covering letter, copies of certificates, and a detailed Curriculum Vitae with three traceable referees, including their phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Applicants must indicate ‘Research Assistant NIHR Respectful Maternal and Newborn Care Project’ in the subject line of the email.

Applications must be submitted by close of business on 26^th January 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be acknowledged.