Destigation:-Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India (SAATHII)
Location:-Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram
Apply by: 19/07/2023
Purpose: SAATHII seeks to appoint two Research Coordinators (consultant) for a Hepatitis C Self-Testing project implemented by PATH as consortium lead and SAATHII as one of the major implementing partners. One position will be based in UP (Lucknow) and the other in Mizoram (Falkawn or Aizawl)
About SAATHII: SAATHII, a registered non-profit organization, was founded with a vision to stabilize and reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in India. Over the years its mission has expanded to strengthen and scale up access to stigma-free healthcare, social protection and legal services for communities affected by HIV, TB, COVID, viral hepatitis and other conditions, as well as those marginalized on account of gender, sexuality, incarcerated status and other factors. SAATHII is headquartered in Chennai, with 11 other offices across the country.
Background of the Project: To support attainment of the national goal of eliminating HCV by 2030, SAATHII, with funding support from PATH, along with other partners, proposes to conduct an HCVST acceptability and usability study among those most at risk for HCV.
Overall, the study will be implemented in two phases: Phase 1: Rapid Formative Assessment (RFA)) which is using a qualitative survey, informing the subsequent phase on communication strategies, recruitment strategies, and acceptable distribution models and Phase 2: Intervention Study (IS), which is using quantitative survey to understand acceptability and usability of the self-test kits. The study will be conducted in selected districts of Mizoram and Uttar Pradesh (UP) States.
Location: One Consultant will be based in UP (Lucknow) and the other in Mizoram (Aizawl or Falkawn)
Job Responsibilities:
• Overall Management support to the project including recruitment, support in training, finalizing tools and quality control at State level.
• Manage the Rapid Formative Assessment aimed at exploring the knowledge, awareness, and perceptions of a sub-set of at-risk general population, persons who inject drugs, and their injecting/sexual partners. The assessment will focus on the potential acceptability of HCVST, as well as facilitators and barriers to accessing testing and treatment.
• Support the UP- and Mizoram-based Research assistant through all stages of the data collection and analysis process.
• Use the formative assessment to strengthen the interventional study tools, and fine-tune strategies to reach targeted populations, and inform the development of recruitment materials.
• To support National team in the development of IEC materials on Hep C.
• To work in close relation with the government and private hospitals, community based organizations /non-government organisation along with the PATH to achieve the specific goals of the project.
• Support research team in data analysis and interpretation, and in documenting key learning, challenges, and processes for operationalizing HCV self-testing to inform programmatic guidelines of HCVST in India.
The Expected Deliverables are:
1. Implementation of site wise plan micro-plan at the State level.
2. Weekly management calls with teams in both states and central team.
3. Project monthly review- and –reporting.
4. Review calls with PATH team (weekly).
5. To establish linkages to confirmatory testing & treatment linkages.
6. Formative Assessment: To plan and strategies, to conduct FGD and KII among the At-Risk General Population (GP), People Who Inject Drugs (PWID), Sexual and Injecting partners of PWID (ISP-PWID) and other stakeholders.
7. Intervention Phase: To plan and strategies, the enrolment of study participants in the given states.
Qualifications and Experience:
• Postgraduate degree in social work, public health or related field with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
• Persons, who had prior experience of working with PWID and at risk population is an added advantage.
• Proven ability in managing all aspects of research and/or implementation projects.
• Ability to work independently and as a team player in a complex, multicultural environment and guide / support district research teams in UP and Mizoram
• Exemplary oral and written communication skills in English, Hindi and local languages..
• Willingness to be located in focal state, and travel at least 15-20 days per month to field locations
• Sound computer skills, including use of internet and MS office (advanced skills in using MS Office will be an added advantage).
Consultancy Period: Nine months, starting immediately
Other support: SAATHII will provide the following support to the consultant:
a. Access to all required documents and information for developing the report
b. Facilitate ongoing discussions on assigned activity as required
c. Timely assistance towards review and finalization of documents
Commitment to zero tolerance for harassment and all forms of abuse: SAATHII is a non-profit organization working among women and children across the country. Ensuring child safety at all times is integral to our work. SAATHII’s Child Protection policy is based on the principles of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Child to ensure every child is protected from any form of abuse. SAATHII has zero tolerance towards harassment (whether sexual or non-sexual) or any form of abuse, including but not limited to harassment and violence targeted at children and women, PLHIV, gender non- conforming persons, members of the LGBTIQA+ communities, sex workers, IV Drug Users and other marginalized communities. You are mandated to adhere to this code of conduct during your employment with SAATHII.
To apply:
Please submit a comprehensive CV and Cover Letter with following mandatory details in a tabular form:
Name
Age (number of completed years)
Highest Educational Qualification
Total Years of Experience (as per job requirement)
Present Employer
Present Location
Preferred Location
Email ID
Contact No
Current Salary (monthly)
Expected Salary (monthly)
Notice Period
Name of Three Referees (including a current or most recent employer)
SAATHII seeks qualified and experienced applicants who can work in a multi-cultural environment with diverse teams comprised of people of diverse religious and language backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities. SAATHII is a secular institution working to create an environment of zero tolerance for prejudice based on religion, caste/community, gender, sexuality, and gender expression. The salary will commensurate with the candidates’ skills and experience and aligned with the existing market values.
Qualified applicants who are HIV-affected, women, and/or belonging to sexual/gender minority populations are encouraged to apply.
Email to send applications : jobs_hcvst@saathii.org
Job Code must be mentioned in email subject: SAATHII/Star HCV/RC/0723/450
Please send both CV and Cover letter as attachment. Avoid writing cover letter in email body. Position Title and Job Code must be mentioned in email subject.
