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Qualifications

Introduction

Vaccination is one of the strategies used by the WHO to confer adaptive immunity and limit the spread of the disease. Considering the difficult situation in which the world found itself with cases increasing uncontrollably, the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines was a major innovation, however, due to financial constraints in many African countries, including Mozambique, it was not possible at the beginning of the COVID-19 response to vaccinate the entire population and priority groups for vaccination were determined, including individuals suffering from chronic diseases (HIV, TB, Diabetes, Hypertension, Chronic Kidney Disease, Cancers, respiratory diseases, etc.)

Despite the existence of a platform where records of individuals’ data occur, there is no data available from the programme showing coverage in the priority groups and for the chronically ill.

Aim of the study: To carry out a study to assess Covid-19 vaccination coverage in patients suffering from chronic diseases in all the capitals of Mozambique to provide scientific evidence on the coverage achieved in relation to Covid-19 vaccination, as well as the determining factors in this vaccination.

Specific Objectives:

1) To measure the coverage of the different COVID-19 vaccines administered in the Priority Groups;

2) To determine the performance of COVID-19 vaccination services in the priority groups at sub-national and national level, especially considering that administrative reports are not reliable;

3) To measure the effectiveness of interventions to increase coverage;

4) Assess the extent to which vaccination in priority groups against COVID-19 has reached the target population;

5) Calculate the drop-out rate between the start and completion of the COVID-19 vaccination series;

6) Contribute data to models of the impact of vaccination on the burden of COVID-19 including risk assessment of outbreak potential.

In this context, the World Health Organization in Maputo City is looking for a Research Assistants to work in collaboration on a GAVI-funded research project that will help conduct a survey to assess Covid-19 vaccination coverage in patients suffering from chronic diseases in all capital provinces of Mozambique.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1.      Recruiting, screening and enrolling study participants;

2.      Performing literature searches and producing reviews of the literature to support the delivery of research project;

3.      Performing research in the field of assessment and qualifications;

4.      Providing statistical and analytical support to the research team;

5.      Collate, clean and link data (including visits to secure data settings as required);

6.      Conducting semi-structured interviews and analyzing quantitative/qualitative data;

7.  Under the direction of Principal investigator or Research Coordinator, assist with review of written materials: focus group/interview guides, consent forms, development of manuscripts, research reports, poster and presentation submissions;

8.      Support data analysis and summarize data for various audiences.

Education:

–          Graduate degree in a health-related discipline;

–          Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education, to the extent permitted by the WHO equivalency formula.

Experience

Required:

–         Experience conducting in-person quantitative/qualitative interviews and analyzing quantitative/qualitative data;

–         A minimum of (3) three years of experience in developing and implementing research studies, preferably in a health field;

–    Experience in quantitative/qualitative research – data coding & analysis using common software such as SPSS, NVivo or others equivalent;

–        Knowledge of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Desirable:

–      Experience using research databases and reference management software (e.g. PubMed, Endnote, RefWorks) is considered an asset;

–    Experience conducting interviews with underrepresented ethnic groups is preferred, as well as experience conducting interviews that elicit sensitive information.

Special Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

–          Must be able to work independently and as part of team;

–          Excellent writing skills; exhibit attention to detail;

–          Ability to adapt and be flexible to change in a fast-paced research environment.

Special Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

–          Must be able to work independently and as part of team;

–          Excellent writing skills; exhibit attention to detail;

–          Ability to adapt and be flexible to change in a fast-paced research environment.

Physical Requirements:

Sitting, standing and walking for extended period. Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction. Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s). Ability to move standard equipment through a health facility environment.

Time Commitment:

The week before the field work the Quantitative/Qualitative Researcher Assistants are required to spend 20 days reviewing study research methodology and material and planning the following weeks work.

Quantitative/Qualitative Researcher Assistants will spend at least 60 days on field work and the remaining 30 days conduct data analysis, assist in development of report and manuscript.