Research Assistant

ZAMSA-TB Study: Zambia, Malawi, South Africa Tuberculosis (ZAMSA-TB) Study – Advancing epidemiological methods for surveillance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The project will be conducted in the Chipata and Kanyama communities of Lusaka. The overall aim of the project is to develop and validate innovative epidemiological methods for understanding recent TB transmission through convenience Sero sampling of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) immunoreactivity, thereby supporting the targeted deployment of interventions like TB vaccines and measuring their impact during implementation. Children aged 1-5 years will be tested for TB infection, and advanced geospatial statistics and modelling will be used to develop a new epidemiological framework. Research activities will be conducted in Lusaka at two First Level Hospitals in the target communities, and the catchment communities of said hospitals.

Job Purpose:

Reporting to the Study Manager, the research assistant will be responsible for administering informed consent for study participants and ensuring that all study-related activities are done per the study protocol and standard operating procedures (SOPs). They will manage and conduct research activities in the community and at the health facility.

Key Responsibilities:

• Enumerate households in the catchment communities to recruit guardians of eligible children into the study.
• Participate in community sensitization activities.
• Obtain informed consent from the participants during the baseline visit.
• Administer the ZAMSA TB questionnaire to study participants.
• Conduct follow-up study-related activities on recruited participants.
• Filling and completing study documents.
• Report any protocol deviations immediately to the study manager.
• Collaborate with community mobilisers and research nurses to ensure the effective operation of study activities.
• Ensure adherence to the SOPs at the health facility and the community.
• Perform other duties as required by the supervisor.