Job Summary

The Research Assistant will contribute to collaborative research that transforms people’s lives through new scientific findings by collecting quality data and biological samples for the AKILI study while adhering to the standard operating procedures and ethical regulations. AKILI is a study on genetic characterization of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the Kenyan and South African populations.

Responsibilities

• Share information, education and support related to the AKILI study to families or guardians of potential eligible research participants.
• Assist in triaging or offering any nursing care as may be requested of you when mobilizing participants at the outpatient clinics of the Aga Khan University Hospital.
• Participate in conducting the informed consenting process for the AKILI study.
• Participate in the screening and identification eligible participants among children and adolescents at the hospitals, schools or the community.
• Participate in the collection of sociodemographic and phenotypic data using research electronic data capture software.
• Spearhead and participate in neurocognitive and/or psychiatric assessments of all study participants such as KSADS and SNAP-IV.
• Participate in preparing proper, accurate and timely documentation of study-related activities.
• Participate in sensitization and/or training of teachers, community health promoters and any other stakeholders AKILI will engage. This will entail active involvement in preparing training materials on ADHD and the different neurocognitive and/or psychiatric assessments.
• Participate in ensuring data completeness and safety by working with other team members to crosscheck data against the AKILI’s enrolment checklist and ensuring that data has been uploaded to server before leaving the field/site of participant enrolment as highlighted in AKILI’s standard operating procedures and protocol.
• Ensure all participants receive their gifts, reimbursements and snacks as outlined in the protocol; and present all proofs of payment (payment and registration forms and receipts) for accounting.
• Participate in accounting for field expenditure as will be guided.
• Ensure proper use, storage and handing-over of all filed items assigned to you to minimize the risk of damage and to ensure their safety.
• Foster good working relationships with all stakeholders including all participants and their parents as well as the personnel in the different institutions we will engage – at the different hospitals, at schools and in the community.
• Be willing to participate in the continuous medical education (CME) activities in the mental/neurological healthcare.

Requirements

• A minimum of Diploma in Psychology.
• Research background will be desirable

Relevant Experience.

• 2 years working experience in clinical care or research.
• Flexible – able to work extra hours when needed.
• Able to work with vulnerable populations such as those with neurological or mental health disorders.
• Be computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• DESIRABLE: Experience in the care for children and adolescents with behavioral or neurological disorders.

Personal Characteristics

• Can work under minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a good team player.
• Good communication skills (both written and oral).
• Attention to detail.
• Keen desire to learn and share knowledge.