POSITION: Research Assistant

Reporting to: Clinician, Project Coordinator.

Location: Kisumu

JOB PURPOSE

To support the successful enrollment and continued participation of eligible participants in the Kulindana Project which seeks to expand access to tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) through community-friendly delivery models aimed at improving uptake and reducing TB transmission. This role involves identifying potential participants, implementing strategies to engage and educate them, and supporting follow-up and retention throughout the study period. The Research assistants will work closely with community stakeholders, peer educators, and study staff to ensure a participant-centered approach. The Research Assistant will be responsible for recruiting and enrolling participants into the study in the selected facilities in Kisumu County.

SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement effective recruitment strategies to identify and engage potential study participants from target communities.
• Conduct community outreach and sensitization sessions in collaboration with the Community Engagement Lead and CABs.
• Distribute and explain study information and consent materials in an understandable and culturally appropriate manner.
• Pre-screen potential participants to determine initial eligibility and refer them for screening visits.
• Develop individualized follow-up plans to ensure participants attend scheduled visits.
• Conduct reminder calls, home visits, or community tracing where necessary, in line with protocol and ethical guidelines.
• Track visit attendance and identify reasons for missed visits; work with the team to resolve barriers.
• Maintain close communication with participants while protecting their confidentiality and privacy.
• Build strong relationships with local women’s groups, youth networks, and healthcare providers to facilitate referrals.
• Collaborate with peer educators, community health workers, and CABs to enhance trust and ongoing engagement.
• Share community feedback with the study team to improve participant experience and study procedures.
• Maintain accurate logs of recruitment and retention activities.
• Submit weekly and monthly reports summarizing progress and challenges to the Study Coordinator.
• Ensure proper documentation of all contact attempts and participant interactions.
• Submit twice-weekly summaries of recruitment and enrollment into the study to the study coordinator

Essential requirements:

• Must have minimum a Diploma in Community Health, Social Work or Counselling Psychology or related field from a recognized institution.
• Must be Fluent in English, Kiswahili (common languages among our research participants)
• Must have at least two years of research experience.
• Must have excellent skills in REDCAP for data collection
• Must be conversant with the study area
• Should have excellent computer skills
• MUST have a certificate in Human Subjects Protection
• Excellent communication skills: Must be able to communicate regularly with the study coordinator via email and Zoom.
• Team player with the ability to work closely with other study staff at the site

• Implement effective recruitment strategies to identify and engage potential study participants from target communities.
• Conduct community outreach and sensitization sessions in collaboration with the Community Engagement Lead and CABs.
• Distribute and explain study information and consent materials in an understandable and culturally appropriate manner.
• Pre-screen potential participants to determine initial eligibility and refer them for screening visits.
• Develop individualized follow-up plans to ensure participants attend scheduled visits.
• Conduct reminder calls, home visits, or community tracing where necessary, in line with protocol and ethical guidelines.
• Track visit attendance and identify reasons for missed visits; work with the team to resolve barriers.
• Maintain close communication with participants while protecting their confidentiality and privacy.
• Build strong relationships with local women’s groups, youth networks, and healthcare providers to facilitate referrals.
• Collaborate with peer educators, community health workers, and CABs to enhance trust and ongoing engagement.
• Share community feedback with the study team to improve participant experience and study procedures.
• Maintain accurate logs of recruitment and retention activities.
• Submit weekly and monthly reports summarizing progress and challenges to the Study Coordinator.
• Ensure proper documentation of all contact attempts and participant interactions.
• Submit twice-weekly summaries of recruitment and enrollment into the study to the study coordinator

• Excellent skills in REDCAP for data collection
• Excellent computer skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Team player

• Minimum a Diploma in Community Health, Social Work or Counselling Psychology or related field from a recognized institution.
• Fluent in English, Kiswahili
• Certificate in Human Subjects Protection