MATRIX-007/CARE PrEP Clinical Research Officer
Location : Maseru District, Lesotho
Position Description:
Jhpiego, a non-profit organization that creates and delivers transformative health care solutions, has operated in Lesotho since 2012. In partnership with the government of Lesotho, Jhpiego implements a diverse portfolio of programs, including HIV (VMMC and PrEP) services and implementation research, TB contact tracing, and COVID case management and vaccine support.
Jhpiego seeks a Clinical Research Officer to support implementation of the Cabotegravir and Ring Evaluation in Pregnancy (CARE PrEP) study in Lesotho. CARE PrEP is a multi-country clinical research study observing pregnancy outcomes for people that used “pre-exposure prophylaxis”, known as PrEP, during their pregnancy and their infants. Pregnant participants will be recruited from the CATALYST (Catalyzing access to new prevention products to stop HIV) study, which is a study seeking to understand the feasibility and acceptability of providing new options for HIV prevention. CATALYST involves introducing two new PrEP products for HIV prevention (PrEP ring and CAB PrEP) into existing health services.
Working under the general supervision of the CARE PrEP Study Lead, the Clinical Research Officer will be responsible for recruiting and consenting eligible study participants, conducting all study procedures with participants, tracking study participants over time, and following all study operations to ensure accurate data and ethical treatment of study participants. This full-time position will be based at the study site in Maseru District, Lesotho and may require international travel for study-wide coordination. This position includes research management and operational functions along with clinical data collection responsibilities. The ideal candidate will have an obstetric background with experience in clinical data collection.
Lesotho nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities:
• Participate in study training, and adhere to the study protocol and all study procedures;
• Participate in the translation, testing and review of data collection tools;
• Identify, recruit and screen potential study participants;
• Coordinate with CATALYST study staff for referral of participants for the CARE PrEP study, and for any other needs to ensure smooth operations between the two studies;
• Conduct and document informed consent process; securely store all informed consent documents per study procedures;
• Conduct study visits with participants throughout pregnancy, postpartum and their infants through 6 months of life. Visits to occur at study sites with possible home visits and phone contacts.
• In collaboration with Study Lead, triage intake, enrollment, clinical data collection procedures and delegate clinical data collection steps, as needed, to Clinical Data Collector.
• Visit procedures include ascertaining medical information from participants, review/interpretation of medical records, point of care HIV and urine pregnancy testing, blood pressure check, depression screening, infant feeding assessments, referring to trained providers for ultrasounds, referring to trained providers for physical exams of infants to identify birth defects/congenital anomalies, and referring for additional medical care as needed.
• Upon learning of any serious adverse event or social harm, complete required forms and study management notification.
• Review health facility registers, and participant records and capture required information according to operational procedures.
• Document study visit information and data on paper-based and electronic forms as applicable and maintain all participant information in an organized and confidential manner.
• Coordinate with relevant program and ops staff to ensure availability and proper management of study supplies, tools, materials, and other resources required for operation at the study site.
• Coordinate with relevant program and finance staff to ensure availability of participant reimbursement; provide and document participant reimbursement per study protocol;
• Manage study visit schedules to maintain high participant retention;
• Consult and communicate in a timely manner any challenges encountered during data collection and resolve queries with the Study Lead, Data Manager, and US-based data management team;
• Implement quality control process throughout the conduct of the study.
• Participate in regular team meetings;
• Perform any other related duties;
Required Qualifications and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Life Sciences, Health Sciences or other relevant field required. A clinical credential such as nurse, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, degree, and/or experience working in clinical settings.
• At least 5 years clinical experience in maternal and newborn health; obstetric experience preferred.
• Experience with clinical research required
• Experience engaging with adolescent girls, young women and pregnant people preferred.
• Must reside near the study site.
• Must be registered with any professional body of the Government of Lesotho.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to navigate electronic data collection systems (experience with ODK, REDCap, KoboCollect, or SurveyCTO)
• Ability to effectively manage and work as part of a team
• Nonjudgmental attitude, humanitarian values and ethics are absolute preconditions
• Energetic, independent and self-motivated
• Good knowledge of spoken and written English and Sesotho
This role is exclusively open to candidates who are already located in any of the countries where Jhpiego currently operates.
Total compensation will be based on the country of hire and Jhpiego’s local compensation plan.
Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.
Please apply at www.jhpiego.org/careers
Applicants must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter, resume, and references.
For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org
Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.
Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.
EEO is the Law
RECRUITMENT SCAMS & FRAUD WARNING
Jhpiego has become aware of scams involving false job offers. Please be advised:
• Recruiters will never ask for a fee during any stage of the recruitment process.
• All active jobs are advertised directly on our careers page.
• Official Jhpiego emails will always arrive from a @Jhpiego.org email address.
Please report any suspicious communications to Info@jhpiego.org
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Interested candidates should submit cover letter, CVs, certified copies of certificates and transcripts and certified copy of identity document. All applications addressed for the attention of Senior Human Resources Manager must be sent by email address to: Lesotho.HR@jhpiego.org by 12 pm on Friday , 28 June 2024.