The Senior Study Coordinator will be responsible for the day to day
running and management of a new research project aiming to generate
evidence to support the development of drowning prevention strategies in
high-risk populations around Lake Victoria in Tanzania. Specific
objectives of the project are to:

1. estimate the incidence of drowning deaths among fishermen and other
resident groups in lakeside
communities;
2. improve understanding of who is most at risk and why;
3. evaluate potential effects of perceived drowning risk on other
health-related risk behaviours, focusing onsexual behaviour and HIV;
4. assess the social and economic impact of drowning deaths; and
5. explore perceived feasibility and acceptability towards potential
drowning prevention interventions.

Data will be collected from fishermen and the wider lakeside fishing
communities through structured interviews and surveys, in-depth death
reviews, and observational analyses of behaviour.
The Senior Study Coordinator has an important new role, which will be
pivotal to the success of the study. We therefore seek someone who is
willing to apply themselves to a wide range of tasks that will vary from
study oversight to technical data collection. S/he will help to set up
and implement the study. S/he will be responsible for day to day
management of research activities, as well as contributing to the actual
data collection. During this period, s/he will be required to spend a
significant proportion of his/her time in Lake Zone fishing communities.
In later stages of the study s/he will work with study statisticians on
data analysis, and will contribute to the preparation of study reports
and other outputs.

The Senior Study Coordinator will report to the study senior
investigators. The contract for the position will be for a duration of
10 months, and will ideally commence from the beginning of May, 2017.

Responsibilities/duties
 Develop study documents such as standard operating procedures (SOPs)
and consent forms.
 Develop data collection tools such as questionnaires and surveys.
 Plan and structure interviews and focus group sessions.
 Contribute to data collection using questionnaires, surveys,
interviews and focus group sessions.
 Communicate and build good relationships with local leaders in each of
the study sites, such as Ward Executive Officers, District Commissioners.
 Liaise with, and collect data from, Beach Management Units (BMUs) at
each of the study sites.
 Provide information to, and take consent from, potential study
participants.
 Assist in recruitment of study team members.

Manage junior study staff, and train study staff on procedures required
to carry out the study.
 Maintain study documentation, including the study master file.
 Liaise and communicate with the study Senior Investigators and Sponsor.
 Communicate with, and prepare written reports for the study Sponsor.
 Handle field budget.
 Prepare applications and reports for ethics committees, obtain ethics
approval and liaise/communicate with ethics committees as required.
 Ensure the study is carried out ethically and according to applicable
laws and regulations.
 Contribute to institutional meetings and seminars.
 Perform other tasks as required.

Selection Criteria
Essential
 An undergraduate degree from a widely-recognized university in the
field of health sciences (including
public health), social sciences, epidemiology or demography.
 At least two years of research experience in the field of health
sciences, social sciences, epidemiology and/or demography.
 Experience of developing study documents such as SOPs, consent forms
and data collection tools.
 Experience of performing data collection and analyses for qualitative
research, through interviews,
surveys and/or focus group meetings.
 Experience of managing a team and conducting staff training.
 Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Swahili.
 Computer literacy and ability to use Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
 Ability to work independently and to take initiative.
 Excellent interpersonal skills and a highly professional attitude.

Desirable
 A postgraduate qualification in the field of health sciences, social
sciences, epidemiology or
demography from a widely-recognized university.
 Experience and/or knowledge of socioeconomic research.
 Experience with using data management/social science/analysis packages
such as STATA and/or
NVIVO.
 A proven track record of disseminating research finding at conferences
and in peer-review journals

How to apply
Interested applicants should email recruitment@mitu.or.tz to request an
application form. The completed application form should be submitted
together with a cover letter and CV to the same email address by 28th
April 2107. Paper applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted
applicants will be contacted for interview.