Qualitative Coordinator

Qualitative Coordinator Scaling Owete Study Location: Mbita, Homa Bay, with travel to study sites at other beaches in the county and potential for relocation to Bondo, Siaya County in the subsequent phases of the study Working arrangement: Field-based with frequent travel to study sites Appointment: Eight-month appointment in the first phase with potential for extension in the subsequent phases subject to funding Global Programs for Research & Training (Global Programs) is an international non-governmental organization in Kenya and a wholly owned and controlled affiliate of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Global Programs supports health research and programs in Kenya in collaboration with partners including the Ministry of Health, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), donors, and other local and international partners. UCSF, through Global Programs Kenya, is implementing the Scaling Owete Study, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The cluster-randomized controlled trial is testing social network-based approaches to improve HIV self-testing (HIVST), PrEP uptake, and ART linkage among highly mobile fishing communities in Siaya and Homa Bay counties. We are seeking an experienced qualitative researcher to lead the qualitative research component of the Scaling Owete Study in the field. The role spans qualitative field implementation and supervision through data coding and analysis, with opportunities to contribute to study reports, presentations, manuscripts, and dissemination activities. The Role: Reporting to the Kenya Site Principal Investigator, the Qualitative Coordinator supports field execution of the Scaling Owete Study and serves as the field lead for the qualitative research component. The role is responsible for planning, coordinating, conducting and supervising qualitative fieldwork, working closely with study investigators on qualitative findings, and supporting day-to-day field operations. The role shares responsibility with the Study Coordinator for ensuring study activities are conducted in accordance with the approved study protocol and standard operating procedures. Key Responsibilities: Support the Study Coordinator in translating study plans and standard operating procedures into daily field schedules and assignments Provide day-to-day supervision of Research Assistants and Community Mobilizers with the Study Coordinator, providing field supervision, coaching, scheduling support, and problem-solving according to assigned activities and field needs Review daily recruitment, consent, survey, intervention, referral, and follow-up activities for completeness and adherence to procedures Coordinate transport, equipment, supplies, airtime, appointment calendars, and deployment plans for work at participating beaches and health facilities Maintain screening, enrollment, visit, referral, follow-up, staff training, equipment, and issue-tracking logs Assist with community entry, stakeholder meetings, staff training, refresher training, and documentation of field decisions Conduct or coordinate first-line quality checks and ensure that corrections and data queries are addressed promptly Immediately report consent concerns, confidentiality breaches, protocol deviations, safety issues, adverse social events, or other reportable events to the Study Coordinator Help maintain complete site files and current versions of approved study documents and forms Act for the Study Coordinator on delegated operational matters when required and document decisions made Serve as the field lead for the qualitative research component, with overall responsibility for planning, coordinating, and overseeing qualitative data collection throughout the study period Coordinate qualitative participant recruitment, scheduling, field arrangements, and data collection, including conducting and supervising qualitative interviews and group discussions in accordance with approved study procedures Lead training, coaching, supervision, and debriefing of staff involved in qualitative data collection; monitor the quality of qualitative fieldwork and ensure that recordings, notes, and other qualitative materials are managed appropriately and securely Develop tracking tools and data management procedures Under the guidance of study investigators, conduct analyses of qualitative data. Coordinate team-based processes of data coding, development of analytical memos, and other analysis products Identify implementation issues and areas requiring further inquiry, and troubleshoot as needed Contribute to study reports, presentations, manuscripts, and dissemination activities Requirements Minimum Requirements Bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, community health, or another relevant field At least three years of research experience, including substantial experience conducting qualitative research and leading, coordinating, or supervising qualitative data collection in community or public-health settings Training in human-subjects protection and Good Clinical Practice, or ability to complete required training before beginning study duties Experience with electronic data-collection tools and routine data-quality review Strong logistical, documentation, communication, and problem-solving skills Proficiency in Microsoft Office or equivalent applications Fluency in English, Kiswahili and Dholuo Ability to travel frequently within Homa Bay and Siaya Counties to study sites and work flexibility around fishing community schedules, as the study requires Added Advantage: Experience with analysis of qualitative data, including use of a qualitative data analysis software program (e.g. Dedoose, Atlas.ti, NVivo) Experience with HIV prevention or treatment research, randomized trials, electronic data capture, data analysis, or scientific writing Knowledge of the study communities