Study Coordinator - Scaling Owete Study

Study 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 research coordinator to provide overall field leadership for the Scaling Owete Study in Kenya. This role offers the opportunity to lead day-to-day field implementation, coordinate research teams and community stakeholders, support regulatory and quality requirements, and work closely with investigators in Kenya and at UCSF. The Role: Reporting to the Kenya Site Principal Investigator, the Study Coordinator will oversee the day-to-day operations and administrative management of the Scaling Owete study field sites in Kenya. The incumbent will serve as a primary link among field staff, community stakeholders, including Beach Management Units and health facilities, and study investigators at Global Programs Kenya and UCSF. The Study Coordinator shall provide overall field leadership and helps ensure activities are conducted in accordance with the approved study protocol, standard operating procedures, Good Clinical Practice requirements, ethical and regulatory requirements, and the study work plan. Key Responsibilities: Coordinate all aspects of field implementation in accordance with the approved protocol, standared operating procedures, ethics approvals, and study workplan Support development and revision of study documents, including consent forms, questionnaires, field guides, standard operating procedures, training materials, and tracking tools Coordinate submissions, renewals, amendments, and responses for applicable ethics and regulatory bodies in collaboration with the investigators and under the guidance of the Site PI and help ensure that regulatory and essential study documentation is complete, current, and audit-ready Plan and oversee community entry and engagement with county health authorities, Beach Management Units, health facilities, community leaders, and other study stakeholders Participate in recruitment, selection, training, scheduling, deployment, and performance management of field staff Monitor recruitment, enrollment, intervention delivery, follow-up, and retention against study targets; identify implementation problems and lead corrective action Work with the data team to oversee timely field data submission and review completeness, consistency, timeliness, and quality of study data, ensuring prompt resolution of data queries while maintaining participant confidentiality Coordinate study supplies, equipment, transport, field schedules, and site readiness with administrative and operations staff Coordinate closely with the Qualitative Coordinator, Costing Coordinator, Data Manager, and other study personnel to ensure that field activities are well integrated, implementation issues are communicated promptly, and study requirements are met Work closely with the Qualitative Coordinator to supervise and support Research Assistants and Community Mobilizers, with day-to-day supervisory responsibilities shared or divided between the two coordinators according to assigned activities and field needs Monitor study progress and prepare regular recruitment and implementation updates for the Kenya and UCSF study teams; contribute to periodic progress reports and promptly escalate protocol deviations, safety concerns, adverse events, and other reportable issues through approved channels Contribute to data interpretation, presentations, abstracts, manuscripts, and dissemination activities as assigned Maintain organized, complete, current, and audit-ready study and field documentation Requirements Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, social sciences, project management, community studies, or a related field At least five years of relevant research experience, including substantial experience in a coordination or leadership role Demonstrated experience supervising research staff and coordinating community-based data collection Working knowledge of human-subjects protection, Good Clinical Practice, informed consent, and research confidentiality Strong organizational, problem-solving, written reporting, and interpersonal 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 flexibly around fishing-community schedules as the study requires Added Advantage: Master’s degree Experience with HIV prevention or treatment research, randomized trials, electronic data capture, or scientific writing Knowledge of the study communities is highly desirable