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CENTRE FOR INNOVATIVE DRUG DEVELOPMENT & THERAPEUTIC TRIALS FOR AFRICA (CDT-AFRICA) COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES | ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY | ADDIS ABABA | ETHIOPIA

Ph.D fellowship for African Women

Background

The Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa) is a World Bank-supported regional centre of excellence for education and research at Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with responsibility for eastern and southern Africa. The main aim of CDT-Africa is to serve as a platform for equitable access to interventions (drugs, vaccines, diagnostics and complex interventions) and bring about sustainable development in Africa through high-quality capacity development for innovative medical discovery and development.

The Department of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University is highly active in the field of research and post-graduate training. The Department has been successful in obtaining internationally competitive research grants to support large programmes of work, with recent funding from the Wellcome Trust, Stanley Medical Research Institute, DIFD and the National Institute of Health (USA). There has also been high research output in terms of peer-reviewed publications.

CDT-Africa and the Department of Psychiatry are partnering for innovative joint research and education programs, amongst of which is providing PhD fellowship opportunities to outstanding students. As part of this partnership, CDT-Africa plans to provide financial and technical support to African women who would be admitted to pursue a PhD in Mental Health Epidemiology (MHE) at the Department of Psychiatry for the 2023 academic year. The overall objective of the MHE program is to provide high-level professionals who are capable of designing and performing independent research that would address the pressing issues in mental health, teaching in health training institutions, and contributing to the development and appraisal of mental health policy and services.

The current opportunity is specific to the new National Institute of Health Research Global Health Research Group in Homelessness and Severe Mental Illness (HOPE) which is based in Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya under the auspices of Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation (AMHRTF). The HOPE programme seeks to understand the priorities, experiences and needs of people who are homeless and have severe mental illness, co-develop interventions, and implement and evaluate interventions at larger scale. The successful candidate would conduct their fieldwork with AMHRTF, Kenya. AMHRTF is dedicated to conduct research in mental and neurological health and substance use to generate evidence for policy and best practice in the provision of affordable, appropriate, available and accessible stigma-free mental health services.
AMHRTF brings together the widest possible spectrum of professionals from both mental health and non-mental health fields to work together under one roof working in research and interventions in mental health.

The successful candidate will be expected to attend courses and register for their Ph.D at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. It is expected that she would be able to prepare their proposal within one year.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Woman national in Kenya (as the “HOPE” study is based in Kenya);
• Hold MD with specialty certificate or MSc (with thesis) in Mental Health, Public Health, Biostatistics, Psychology, Social Work or other health-related fields;
• Completed the MSc with CGPA ≥ 3.40, or achieved a minimum academic standing of ‘B’ (75%) in their postgraduate studies;
• If she holds an MSc without thesis, published two papers in reputable journals;
• Submit a preliminary research proposal and successfully pass entrance examination given by the Department of Psychiatry, and obtain admission at Addis Ababa University; and
• Be able to enrol and attend the program on a full-time basis from 2023 academic year (January 2023).

Fellowship

• The fellowship covers a modest monthly living allowance, dormitory, medical coverage, and funding to support research projects.

Application

• Applicants should submit i) three letters of recommendation, ii) a PhD proposal, iii)  examples of previous research and written work, iv) official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher learning, v) a statement of personal and professional goals, and vi) an up-to-date curriculum vitae (no more than four pages)
• Application documents must be submitted in electronic copy via email to Dr. Tsegahun Manyazewal (tsegahunm.cdtafrica@gmail.com) copying Bethlehem Fekadu (bettyfek2010@gmail.com).
• Application deadline is 08 November 2022.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

 RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

Department:   Research Projects

Number of Posts: 20

Background: Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation (AMHRTF) is a non-governmental organization whose main mandate is to conduct mental health research to inform policy and practice in mental health. Our focus is on community mental health with the aim of providing innovative, appropriate, affordable, available and accessible mental health and substance use services to all.

Position Summary:  The successful applicant(s) will be based at one of the research sites and will work very closely with other research team members to collect data both manually and electronically.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Perform a full range of Research Assistant services in the field
• Conduct recruitment of study participants.
• Obtain informed consent from study participants.
• Conduct assessments for study participants.
• Ensure privacy of participants and maintain confidentiality of participant information at all times.
• Prepare participants for study sample collection and organize samples for storage according to study protocol
• Perform other duties within the scope of practice, as assigned.

Requirement:

The successful candidates will be required to:

1. Be very organized and keen on details.
2. Show commitment, availability and   readiness    to   undergo    full   training    on   the   processes    and study assessments.
3. Reside in Nairobi county, near or around Mbooni Sub-county in Makueni County or Machakos Sub-county in Machakos County.
4. Maintain a friendly, “customer-first” perspective in dealing with study participants.
5. Ability to maintain privacy for participants and confidentiality of participant information.

Qualifications:

1. Diploma in social work, community development, psychology, public health, research methods and any other related qualifications.
2. Previous data collection experience and participation in a health-related research project in will be an added advantage.

Additional Skills and Competencies:

1. Proficiency in the use of computer applications.
2. Excellent interpersonal skills.
3. Self-driven and able to work with minimal supervision.
4. Ability to work as part of a team.
5. Ability to work under pressure.
6. Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet strict deadlines.
7. Fluency in both oral and written English, Kiswahili and Kikamba.

Application  Instructions:   We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications  to send an application letter and a detailed CV to careers@amhf.or.ke and use “Research Assistant for R01 Project” as the subject line. Applications should be received by 4th March, 2022.

Remuneration:

You will be paid a daily rate of Ksh.2,000 per day for the days worked.  No other benefits are attached to this position.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.  Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

PROJECT OFFICER

Number of Posts: 1

Background: Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation (AMHRTF) is a non-governmental organization in Kenya, dedicated to research in mental and neurological health as well as substance use research to generate evidence for policy and best practice in the provision of affordable, appropriate, available and accessible mental health services.

Position Summary: Reporting to the supervisor, the project officer will be responsible for project(s) planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, managing, project-related documentations and report writing in a timely manner according to the donor requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Maintaining and monitoring project timelines and schedules and ensuring they are met in a timely manner
• Conduct stakeholder analysis and engage stakeholders to ensure project buy-in
• Documenting and following up on action items subsequent to meetings
• Planning and coordinating meetings with community partners and relevant stakeholders
• Recruit study participants as per study protocol
• Participate in research assistants’/enumerators’ recruitment
• Supervision of enumerators
• Preparing the relevant materials for field work and meetings
• Participate in quality and timely data collection and ensure that ethical issues are observed during the data collection process.
• Prepare study protocol/reports for submission to the relevant local authorities, partners and donors.
• In consultation with the supervisor, work within the projected timelines to ensure the objectives of assigned projects are met
• Ensure regular (daily/monthly/quarterly) documentation of all the project processes and activities through detailed reports while adhering to the project timelines.
• Ensure safety and confidentiality of participant’s information at all times.
• Supervise research assistants, health care worker trainees and community health workers to ensure they adhere to study protocol
• Ensure fidelity of interventions are observed in consultation with the supervisor
• In consultation with the biostatistician, participate in quantitative data cleaning, analysis and drafting of scientific manuscripts for respective projects.
• Participate in qualitative data analysis, preliminary coding and drafting of findings.
• Participate in dissemination of research findings and policy dialogue with appropriate audiences.

Qualifications and Experience:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Health or Social Sciences field such as Social work, Nursing, Psychology, Medical Anthropology, Public Health and Development or its equivalent from a recognized institution.
• A Master’s degree is an added advantage
• Minimum of two years’ experience in health-related research; preferably mixed-methods approaches
• Co-author of at least one scientific publication in a peer reviewed journal is an added advantage
• Computer literacy and functionality as well as proficiency in report writing

Applicants should also have demonstrated abilities in the following:

• Ability to engage with rural and urban communities as well as students
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Work ethics and team player
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing skills with specific ability to write articles, reports and proposals
• Self driven and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to demonstrate problem solving approach
• Ability to learn and work under pressure
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet strict deadlines.

Application Instructions:  We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to send an application letter and a detailed CV to careers@amhf.or.ke and indicate PROJECT OFFICER 2022 as the subject line. Applications should be received by 4^th March, 2022.

NB:

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.  Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.