Socio-Behavioural Research Coordinator at The Aurum Institute

Description

Evidence Generation and Strategy Implementation

• Support implementation of SBR projects within the CRD that utilizes existing evidence, or newly generated evidence, to inform R&D and access plans of the needs and behaviours of at-risk populations, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
• Work with research partners and key stakeholders to design and oversee implementation of research studies and maintain a comprehensive and timely understanding of the current landscape, unmet needs, gaps, and critical socio-behavioural issues to support product development.
• Support planning and stakeholder consultations to design SBR portfolio to answer key social science questions.
• Participate in selected Protocol Teams for clinical and epidemiologic studies where SBR questions are included.
• In collaboration with CRD investigators, develop strategic and implementation plans and procedures for SBR research studies.

 SBR Market Insights

• Seek, consolidate, assess, and disseminate key insights from research and analyses.
• Utilize qualitative and quantitative research methods and select the optimal mechanism to gather key insights based on SBR objectives.
• Monitor the broader landscape of SBR projects, together with reporting of progress and metric measures/targets.

Project & Budget Management

• Participate in development of CRD SBR scope of work and monitoring/reporting achievement of milestones. 
• Support the preparation of funding proposals and work plans for SBR-related activities and prepare updates and presentations for donor reporting.
• Monitor progress in workplans and performance metrics, follow up as needed and flag any persistent deviations for remedial action.
• Draft agendas, pre-read materials, summary presentations and meeting minutes for key meetings, as needed.
• Represent department in drafting and monitoring departmental contributions in organizational scorecard.

Execution

• Guide the team and research partners to support the execution of SBR strategy and integration with global access, advocacy, policy, and communications objectives.
• In close collaboration with the investigator/s and other partners, review of protocols, sample plans, research instruments, and assist in IRB submissions.
• Work with teams and collaborating investigators to strengthen internal capabilities for SBR, including mentorship, training, grant writing, and publications.
• Prepare literature, reports, compelling SBR communications and data analytics.
• Represent Aurum CRD externally to showcase leadership in SBR, and to work with the team in sourcing funding for future research.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge about key SBR research topics related to HIV vaccines, new prevention technologies, key populations etc.
• Attends appropriate external meetings and courses to maintain competency and awareness in assigned area and the HIV vaccine community at large.
• Participate in analysis and evaluation of SBR and interpret data using a range of analysis packages.
• Participate in preparation, presentation, and dissemination of results in the form of reports, briefings, research papers and presentations.
• Train site staff in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis for SBR

Requirements

• Post-graduate degree in anthropology, sociology, social epidemiology, behavioural economics, global health, public health, or a related field. Masters or equivalent will be beneficial.
• Demonstrated experience in leading the conceptualization, design, analysis, and execution of socio behavioural research studies (Experience with HIV/AIDS and /or sexual and reproductive health SBR research preferred).
• Demonstrated experience with SBR methods, including qualitative, quantitative, experimental, interventional, and mixed method studies.
• Demonstrated experience in analysing qualitative data and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in compiling standard operating procedures (SOPs) and management of these.
• Demonstrated experience in the development of protocols and research tools. Knowledge in South African IRB submissions for SBR studies would be advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience in manuscript preparation (having published qualitative study data would be beneficial).
• Demonstrated experience in working with diverse and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong organizational skills, resourceful, and mature self-starter, experience in building a strong, coherent program and operations in settings with limited infrastructure.
• Proven ability to operate within a scientific, social, medical or clinical research program.

Closing Date: 28 August 2023