Research Assistant (RA)

VACANCY FOR HEPATITIS C SELF-TESTING PROJECT

Research Assistant (RA) - U.P. and Mizoram 6 positions

Job Code: SAATHII/Star HCV/RA/1123/489

Date of Issue: 14-11-23

Closing Date: 19-11-23

Purpose: SAATHII seeks to appoint six Research Assistants (consultant) for a Hepatitis C Self-Testing project implemented by PATH as consortium lead and SAATHII as one of the major implementing partners.
Location: 3 positions will be district based in UP (1 Kanpur, 1 Gorakhpur and 1 Allahabad) 2 positions in Mizoram (1 Aizawl and 1 in Champai).

About SAATHII: SAATHII, a registered non-profit organization, was founded with a vision to stabilize and reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in India. Over the years its mission has expanded to strengthen and scale up access to stigma-free healthcare, social protection and legal services for communities affected by HIV, TB, COVID, viral hepatitis and other conditions, as well as those marginalized on account of gender, sexuality, incarcerated status and other factors. SAATHII is headquartered in Chennai, with 11 other offices across the country.

Background of the Project: To support attainment of the national goal of eliminating HCV by 2030, SAATHII, with funding support from PATH, along with other partners, proposes to conduct an HCVST acceptability and usability study among those most at risk for HCV.

Overall, the study will be implemented in two phases: Phase 1: Rapid Formative Assessment (RFA)) which is using a qualitative survey, informing the subsequent phase on communication strategies, recruitment strategies, and acceptable distribution models and Phase 2: Intervention Study (IS), which is using quantitative survey to understand acceptability and usability of the self-test kits. The study will be conducted in selected districts of Mizoram and Uttar Pradesh (UP) States.

Job Responsibilities:
• Be involved in all stages of the data collection and analysis process, reviewing code-book development and writing.
• To work in close relation with the government and private hospitals, community based organizations /non-government organisation along with the PATH to achieve the specific goals of the project.

The Expected Deliverables are:
1. Implementation of site wise micro-plan in each district.
2. Support Research Coordinator as needed
3. Participate in Project monthly review- and -reporting
4. To track and follow-up HCV-positive individuals, explore, and report social harms.
5. To establish linkages to confirmatory testing & treatment linkages.
6. Formative Assessment: To conduct FGD and KII among the At-Risk General Population (GP), People Who Inject Drugs (PWID), Sexual and Injecting partners of PWID (ISP-PWID) and other stakeholders.
7. Intervention Phase: The enrolment of study participants in the given district.

Qualifications and Experience:
• Persons, who had prior experience of working with PWID and at risk population is an added advantage.
• Ability to work independently and as a team player in a complex, multicultural environment and guide / support district research teams in UP and Mizoram
• Exemplary oral and written communication skills in local languages.

Consultancy Period: Seven months, starting immediately

Other support: SAATHII will provide the following support to the consultant:
a. Access to all required documents and information for developing the report
b. Facilitate ongoing discussions on assigned activity as required
c. Timely assistance towards review and finalization of documents
Commitment to zero tolerance for harassment and all forms of abuse: SAATHII is a non-profit organization working among women and children across the country. Ensuring child safety at all times is integral to our work. SAATHII’s Child Protection policy is based on the principles of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Child to ensure every child is protected from any form of abuse. SAATHII has zero tolerance towards harassment (whether sexual or non-sexual) or any form of abuse, including but not limited to harassment and violence targeted at children and women, PLHIV, gender non- conforming persons, members of the LGBTIQA+ communities, sex workers, IV Drug Users and other marginalized communities. You are mandated to adhere to this code of conduct during your employment with SAATHII.
To apply:

Please submit a comprehensive CV and Cover Letter with following mandatory details in a tabular form:

Name
Age (number of completed years)
Highest Educational Qualification
Total Years of Experience (as per requirement)
Present Employer
Present Location
Preferred Location
Email ID
Contact No
Current Salary (monthly)
Expected Salary (monthly)
Notice Period
Name of Three Referees (including a curre or most recent employer)


Applications should be sent by e-mail to jobs_hcvst@saathii.org, and clearly specify the Position Title and Job Code.

SAATHII seeks qualified and experienced applicants who can work in a multi-cultural environment with diverse teams comprised of people of diverse religious and language backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities. SAATHII is a secular institution working to create an environment of zero tolerance for prejudice based on religion, caste/community, gender, sexuality, and gender expression. The salary will commensurate with the candidates’ skills and experience and aligned with the existing market values.

Qualified applicants who are HIV-affected, women, and/or belonging to sexual/gender minority populations are encouraged to apply.

Email to send applications : jobs_hcvst@saathii.org

Job Code must be mentioned in email subject : SAATHII-HCV-ST-RA-06

Please send both CV and Cover letter as attachment. Avoid writing cover letter in email body. Position Title and Job Code must be mentioned in email subject .