Job Position: Research assistance II

• Employment Type: Contract

• Working hour: Full time

• Workplace (Location): East and West Hararghe Zones, Oromia Region

• Number of people required: 2 (Two)

The Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) was founded in 1970 through the initiative of the Norwegian and Swedish Save the Children organizations seconded by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia. The Institute got its name from the Norwegian physician, Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who first described the leprosy bacillus (Mycobacterium leprae). AHRI is a biomedical, Clinical trial, Vaccine and Traditional Medicine research institute that works in developing tools for clinical trial, Vaccine, prevention, control and treatment of neglected tropical disease (NTD) and other diseases of public healthy importance through applied, basic biomedical research, clinical trial and training.  AHRI, in partnership with NLR (Until No Leprosy Remains) , is implementing a three-year Participatory Action Research (PAR) project in Ethiopia. The project aims to amplify the voices of persons affected by leprosy, lymphatic filariasis (LF), and podoconiosis by co-developing contextually adapted advocacy and leadership training materials. 

Position summary 

The Research Assistants will play a central role in implementing field-level research activities under the supervision of the Project Coordinator and Principal Investigator. They will be responsible for data collection, community engagement, participant support, and field-level logistics across all phases of the study. Both positions require significant time in the field (study communities) as well as administrative and data management responsibilities at the office level. The Research Assistants will work closely with persons affected by NTDs, healthcare workers, community leaders, and local health authorities.

Specifics roles and responsibilities

• Administer quantitative surveys using validated tools including EMIC-AP (stigma), WEMWBS (mental wellbeing), HFS (human flourishing), PSSS (participation), and HPI (health perception). 

• Conduct and support in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with persons affected by NTDs, healthcare workers, and community leaders. 

• Record, transcribe, and support translation of qualitative data (IDIs and FGDs) from Oromifa or Amharic into English. • Ensure all data collection activities adhere to approved ethical protocols, including informed consent procedures. 

• Perform data entry and verification tasks to maintain high data quality and integrity.

• Conduct pre-testing and piloting of data collection instruments and provide feedback for improvement.

• Identify, recruit, and maintain contact with study participants including persons affected by NTDs, healthcare workers, and community leaders.

• Identifies/facilitates the supply of necessary logistics for the implementation of the project in collaboration with the ZHD, District health offices & AHRI team

• Assist in the logistics and delivery of advocacy and leadership training workshops for persons affected by NTDs. 

• Organizes and provides  co-creation workshops and reflection sessions during the contextualisation of training materials in collaboration with the ZHD, district health offices & AHRI team.

• Support Maintain organised and confidential records of all study data, consent forms, and field notes. 

• Prepare brief monthly field activity reports for the Project Coordinator.

Job Requirements

Qualification: Masters degree in Epidemiology, or  public health having more than 5 years work experience in the related field. 

Preference and additional skills

Basic computer skills and previous exposure in Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems, such as ODK, REDCap 

Good interpersonal and organizational Communication skills and able to build rapport with the research team, study participants and healthcare providers. 

 Demonstrate a promising publication record with at least one first author in peer-reviewed journal.

Speaking of the local language Oromifa

Duration: 36 months

How To Apply

How to Apply

Application is completed through submission of the document listed below via ethiojobs website Interested applicants who fulfilled the above requirements should send the following through ethiojobs.net 

• A CV/resume (not more than 3 pages) 

• A cover letter (maximum 1 page, describing why you wanted to apply for the position and how you meet the requirements for the position) 

• A one-page table summarizing your educational background, work experience, technical skills and competencies to facilitate the screening process

Job Requirements Masters degree in Epidemiology, or  public health having more than 5 years work experience in the related field.  How to Apply Applicants can apply using the link provided below.