KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation (KNCV) is one of the leading international non-profit organizations dedicated to fighting tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. We are an international center of expertise for TB control that stimulates effective, efficient and sustainable tuberculosis control strategies in a national and international context. We are an organization of passionate TB professionals; including medical doctors, researchers, training experts, nurses and epidemiologists.

Over the past century we have built a wealth of knowledge and expertise, initially by successfully driving back TB in the Netherlands, and subsequently by partnering in the fight against TB in over 40 countries worldwide.

We operate from a central office in The Hague in the Netherlands and additional country offices worldwide. KNCV raises funds from individual, institutional and corporate donors.

Background

Latent TB infection (LTBI) is the seed bed for developing TB disease and continued transmission. It is estimated that one quarter of the world’s population is latently infected with TB. WHO policy to give at least six months of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) to people living with HIV (PLHIV) and child contacts has existed since 1993, yet the uptake of IPT in high burden countries remains poor. A short-course regimen of isoniazid and rifapentine weekly for three months (3HP) is now available in Ethiopia.

The IMPAACT4TB consortium is led by the Aurum Institute with core partners Clinton Health Access Initiative, Johns Hopkins University (JHU), KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation and the Global Drug Facility. KNCV is leading the implementation of IMPAACT4TB in Ethiopia. The goal of the project is to reduce TB incidence among PLHIV and child contacts<5 living in low- and middle-income countries by contributing to the sustainable scale up of 3HP preventive therapy.

Purpose of the position and organizational position

As part of the implementation of 3HP in Ethiopia, we will conduct a qualitative and quantitative study (CHIP-TB) to assess whether integrated community-based pediatric TB/HIV prevention services are feasible, acceptable and effective in increasing TPT uptake among child TB contacts of under 15 years in the East Shewa zone, Oromia regional state of Ethiopia. 

As a Research Coordinator, you are expected to coordinate both the qualitative and quantitative implementation research, lead and supervise: patients childcare givers (guardians), health care providers, health extension workers and policy makers interviews, as well as support and coordinate the transcription and translation process and data analysis. As a Research Coordinator, you will lead and carry out the quantitative implementation research, data analysis and the final project write up and result dissemination process. The Research Coordinator also works closely with the IMPAACT4TB senior M&E advisor.

Place in the organization

The Research Coordinator reports hierarchically to the IMPAACT4TB Program Manager and functionally to the CHIP-TB study team (including local PI, KNCV M&E Lead and JHU team.As Research Coordinator you will:

• Finalize the protocol development process with the country, KNCV HQ and JHU team including coordinating necessary ethical approvals;
• Lead in-country study preparation and implementation in line with the study protocol;
• Develop project plans for the implementation of the research protocols;
• Get familiarized with the research protocols and TB preventive treatment implementation at the country level and develop all the necessary implementation research tools;
• Based on the approved research protocols and guidance from the CHIP-TB Team, train research councilors, interviewers, transcriptionist and translators, and other study team members;
• Supervise the research counsellors, focal persons and the interviewers, transcriptionists and translators;
• Organize, support, and monitor data collection & timely data entry;
• Validate data received from studies;
• Conduct statistical analyses; and collaborate with IMPAACT4TB M&E and research team;
• Participate in scheduled results dissemination activities;
• Participate in weekly CHIP-TB calls, contribute to reports and scientific articles on the basis of the research conducted, ensure high quality and timely delivery on all contractual and study related obligations in line with the approved study budget, including reporting;
• Coordinate the establishment and engagement of community advisory board to support the research activity;
• Facilitate the operational arrangements required to effectively implement the research activity;
• Maintain diplomacy and confidentiality;
• Other related necessary duties as per the supervisor’s request.

What does KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation offer?

• A full time (40 hours) fixed-term contract for one year, with the intention to extend the contract;
• An informal work atmosphere in an international environment, where initiative is appreciated;
• A highly motivated team of experienced, self-driven colleagues;
• The salary is dependent upon education and relevant working experience;
• The KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation has its own HR Manual.

Job Requirements

Qualifications and experience

• Master or corresponding degree in epidemiology, health economics, statistics, medicine, or in international public health;
• At least 3 years’ experience, primarily in the field of health research in an international organization, preferably on TB/TB-HIV;
• In depth knowledge of TB from clinical and programmatic perspectives and based on local NTP and WHO policies;
• Knowledge of and experience with epidemiological and statistical analysis in the field of public health;
• Knowledge of and experience with quantitative and qualitative epidemiological research techniques;
• Experience in Clinical Research and knowledge of ICH/GCP;
• Having a GCP course and Human Protection course is an advantage;
• Able to pay close attention to detail;
• Skills in applying statistical software for data validation and data analysis;
• Excellent people skills;
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently;
• Ability to cope with stress and to organize and prioritize workload;
• Excellent oral and writing skills in English and Oromifa.

How to Apply

You can apply for this position by submitting your CV, including a motivation letter and 3 professional references, before 4 October, 2020 via www.kncvtbc.org/vacancies. For more information please contact recruit@kncvtbc.org and for further information on KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, please visit www.kncvtbc.org.