Research Assistant

Job Position: Research Assistant  

• Career Level: Junior/Middle Level 
• Employment Type: Contract
• Working hour: Full time 
• Workplace (Location):  Shashemene town and Shashemene Zuria Woreda, Oromia Region 
• Number of people required: 2 (two)

About Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) 

The Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) was founded in 1970 as a biomedical research institute 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).  Later, AHRI is restructured as one of the federal agents under the Ministry of Health and for expanded its research program and conducted numbers of clinical and diagnostic intervention to fight against emerging diseases and halting the possible transmission of infectious diseases in Ethiopia and the region. 

About Clinical trial directorate (CTD)

Since its first initiation of GCP compliant clinical trial in 2001, the Clinical Trial Directorate (CTD) conducts various drugs, vaccines, and devices trials; as well as Bioequivalence and pharmacovigilance studies. In addition to clinical trial facilities, CTD and acquired experiences in setting up collaborating satellite trial sites in several health care facilities in Addis Ababa and beyond. 

Specifications for the Position: Research Assistant

The Research Assistant will support the implementation of the Ethiopia Cholera Control and Prevention (ECCP) study, a collaborative project led by the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). The ECCP project focuses on cholera and diarrheal disease surveillance, and the evaluation of vaccine effectiveness through community-based studies in Shashemene Woreda and Town.

Under the supervision of the ECCP Project Coordinator, the Research Assistant will be responsible forassisting with daily project activities at the study sites, including data collection and documentation and Supporting cholera and diarrheal disease surveillance efforts across designated healthcare facilities.

Workplace (Study Sites): 

The ECCP Project Coordinator will primarily work at the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) in Addis Ababa and the designated study sites in Shashemene Woreda and Town. These sites include 12 healthcare facilities participating in cholera and diarrheal disease surveillance activities. Regular travel to these sites will be required to oversee project implementation, supervise data collection, and engage with local stakeholders.

Job responsibilities 

 Participant Screening and Recruitment

• Support cholera and diarrheal disease surveillance efforts, including sample collection, handling, and transport to designated laboratories.
• Conduct participant screening to assess eligibility based on established inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• Facilitate informed consent processes by providing detailed explanations of the study to potential participants and answering any questions.
• Participate in the implementation of the case-control study for vaccine effectiveness assessment by enrolling and following up on cholera index cases, their household contacts, and healthy community controls in consultation with local officials and the project coordinator.
• Collaborate with local officials and community leaders to ensure smooth recruitment processes and address logistical challenges.

1.  Data Collection, Record Documentation, and Follow-Up Activities

• Accurately collect and document participant data on case report forms (CRFs) and other relevant tools, ensuring adherence to study protocols.
• Perform data entry and verification tasks to maintain high data quality and integrity.
• Collect biological samples and ensure proper handling, labeling, and transport to designated laboratories in compliance with safety protocols.
• Conduct follow-up visits for enrolled participants, including household contacts and community controls, to monitor their health and collect additional data as required.
• Report any adverse events (AEs), protocol deviations, or challenges encountered during data collection or follow-up activities to the site coordinator or project supervisor.
• Maintain organized and up-to-date records of study activities, ensuring secure storage of confidential information.
• Participate in periodic data monitoring, validation, and cleaning activities in collaboration with the project team.

Required education qualification and experience

Education: BSc or Masters in public health, nursing and other related health sciences 

Experience: 2 years for BSc and 0 year for masters 

Preference and additional skills 

• Previous data collection experience in any form of health research 
• 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 
• Ability to adapt to new and dynamic clinical work environment, the study protocol, and procedures.
• Speaking of the local language for Oromia

Personal Attributes:

• Initiatives for teamwork, team formation and leadership
• Personal training/skills in the required position 
• Excellent interpersonal communication skill and proficient in English  
• Strong organizational skills, flexible to working off-working hours and weekends
•  Open for discussion and learning
• Ability to problem solving and willingness to take self-initiatives

How To Apply

How to Apply     

Interested applicants who fulfilled the above requirements should submit the following documents through Ethiojobs. 

• CV/resume (not more than 3 pages) including names for references and their contact info
• A cover letter (not more than one page)
• A one-page table summarizing your educational background, work experience, technical skills and Competencies to facilitate the screening process. 

 Selection process 

• All short-listed candidate will have written exam and interview 
  • Short listed applicants for interview should attend the interview in person at AHRI, Addis Ababa