Institute Overview

Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) is a leading research organization in Africa with a strong track record in developing, testing and validating innovations for health. Driven by a core strategic mandate for research, training and services, the Institute’s work now spans a wide spectrum, covering biomedical and ecological sciences, intervention studies, health-systems research, service delivery and policy translation.

Position Summary

Ifakara seeks a qualified and experienced Social Worker. The Social Worker will conduct quantitative and qualitative research, manage data collection and analysis, engage with the community, and provide support in study coordination. The Social Worker will establish and nurture relationships with healthcare facilities and stakeholders, deliver staff training, display cultural sensitivity, adapt to different environments, and demonstrate effective time management. Strict adherence to protocols and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is paramount while upholding the core values of IHI.

Duties and Responsibilities

Conduct quantitative and qualitative research.
Conduct data collection, analysis, and management.
Enhance protection and benefits; create legitimacy, and share the responsibility that is facilitated through the incorporation of a community’s views and its participation in research.
Engaging the community in discussions that will increase everyone’s level of awareness, allow individuals to advocate for their ideas, and offers a format to gather advice or guidance based on the community’s expertise and experiences.
Engage the community at the beginning and throughout the project, to be more receptive to the outcome, implement change, and maintain long-term partnerships with the community.
Support study and field coordinators in planning, organizing, and coordinating study work including establishing and maintaining linkages with participating health facilities in the field and other key community stakeholders.
Assist the study coordinator in maintaining the site investigator’s file.
Support in sensitization and recruitment of the intended clinical trials and any other activities related to the community engagement process.
Provide support to the project leader on proposal development, data collection, analysis, and management.
Monitor participants’ satisfaction and complaints through the systematic collection of their views using customized feedback forms and liaise with the relevant study staff to address any concerns.

Qualification and Experience

Holder of a degree in Social Work.
At least three years of working experience in a research organization will be an added advantage.

Skills and Competencies

Knowledge and experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research.
Strong data collection, analysis, and management skills.
Experience in community engagement and working with diverse groups of people.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate study work.
Ability to establish and maintain linkages with participating health facilities and other key community stakeholders.
Ability to provide support in training staff involved in research.
Empathy, sensitivity, and understanding of social and cultural issues affecting the community.
Flexibility and adaptability to work in different environments and with different teams.
Good organizational and time management skills to ensure that work is completed on time and to a high standard.
Ensure the study is done according to the working protocol and adherence to the ICH Guidelines of Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
Adhere to IHI core values (Transparency, Responsibility, Integrity, Respect and Initiative).

Remuneration

An attractive and competitive remuneration package will be offered to successful candidates as per IHI salary scales.

Equal Opportunity

IHI is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit intentional biases or discrimination and harassment of any kind at the work place and during recruitment. All employment decisions are based solely on job requirements and individual qualifications, and our recruitment process is governed by the labour laws of Tanzania.

Mode of Application

All candidates who meet the above job requirements should send their application letters together with their detailed curriculum vitae (CVs) showing contact addresses including email, telephone/cell phone numbers and copies of academic and professional certificates to the email address below.

The deadline for this application is 17:00hrs on Monday, June 26^th 2023. All e-mail application subject lines should include: RESEARCH OFFICER (SOCIAL WORKER) – BimVac01 DAR. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Human Resources Manager
IFAKARA HEALTH INSTITUTE
#5 Ifakara Street Plot 463 Mikocheni
P.O. Box 78,373
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Email: recruitment@ihi.or.tz