ThaiNGO

Job Posting: Assistant Social Scientist (2 positions - Short-term consultancy)

Duration: January -September 2017 (100-115 days)

Location: Chiangmai, Chonburi or Bangkok

Project : LINKAGES Thailand: Exploring uptake of HIV oral fluid testing among MSM and transgender women in Thailand

About FHI 360

FHI 360 is a non-profit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology; creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for short-term consultancy based in Chiang Mai, Chonburi or Bangkok for the position of: Assistant Social Scientist (qualitative data) - LINKAGES Project Thailand

Project Description

LINKAGES is a USAID-funded project managed by FHI 360 aimed at accelerating the Thai HIV/AIDS response to recruit, reach, test, treat and retain populations in HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. The project focuses primarily on MSM and transgender (TG) women but is slated to expand to serve female sex workers (FSW) and people who inject drugs (PWID). LINKAGES Thailand in collaboration with the Thai Ministry of Public Health, USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) and Thai Red Cross, is also preparing a research study aimed to explore HIV oral fluid testing, including self-testing, among MSM and transgender women in 3 provinces: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chonburi (Pattaya). The study uses both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection. In each of the targeted province, 16 participants will be interviewed using in-depth interview (IDI) method.

Ethical clearance from Institutional Review Board and approval form the Thai Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) are expected to be secured by January 2017 and the study launched by February-March 2017. Selected candidates are expected to work between 100-115 days during the period of January to September 2017. The social scientist assistant, who will also be an in-depth interview interviewer and assist in data analysis, will work closely with each Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) involved in the study and the LINKAGES Thailand study team.  She or he will be supervised by the national social scientist to accomplish the following key activities:

• Discuss with the national social scientist researcher the planning of the qualitative component of the study
• According to the approved timeline of the study, coordinate and plan with each CBO (study site investigator) in your site, the data collection of the in-depth interview with the participants of the study

• Attend the training course on protocol and study procedures (overview) organized by the LINKAGES study team – training will be organized in Bangkok
• Attend the training course on qualitative data collection and the interview guide of the study (including interview practices and the pre-testing of the data collection instruments) – training will be organized in Bangkok
• Attend the training course on data analysis and reporting – training will be organized in Bangkok
• Based on the procedures described in the approved protocol, identify in collaboration with each CBO potential participants for the IDI and schedule the interview
• Based on the procedures described in the protocol, conduct in-depth Interviews with study participants – sample size is defined in the protocol and must be strictly respected – each IDI must be preceded by the administration of inform consent in a location where the privacy of the participant is respected – If the participant gives his/her consent, the interview should be tape recorded.
• For each IDI, develop verbatim transcripts using the transcription guidelines and review completed transcripts for accuracy. Submit completed transcripts to the National Social Scientist for review and feedback.
• Communicate with and provide regular feedback to national social scientist researcher on the progress of the implementation of the qualitative component of the study: submit study log sheets, and completed inform consent forms.
• Collaborate with the study site investigator and CBO staff for the distribution of monetary compensation for the participants
• Report to the study site investigator AND the national social scientist any minor or serious issues identified during the implementation of the study including complain(s) from participants
• Assist the national social scientist to analyze the qualitative data of the transcripts including the development of the codebook, coding of transcripts, performing inter- coder reliability checks, entering codes into a qualitative data analysis software, as well as summarizing and synthesizing data.
• Assist the national social scientist in developing the final PowerPoint presentation and narrative report.

Requirements

• Thai national
• At least bachelor degree in social sciences, public health or other related field
• Experience of at least 4-5 years in health promotion, sexual reproductive health, HIV, or LGBT field
• Experience in qualitative research, particularly using in-depth interview methods, coding transcripts and qualitative data analysis, is required
• If based outside Bangkok province: able to travel to Bangkok to attend training course developed by the LINKAGES Thailand study team
• Effective organizational skills and excellent interpersonal and team building skills

• Demonstrate sound work ethics, being honest, trustworthy, respectful and flexible, demonstrate cultural sensitivity
• Computer skills: Microsoft office. Experience in using qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo or ATLAS.ti, etc.) would be a plus
• Demonstrate good understanding in English (written and verbal) is preferred but not required

Application and Deadline

Applicants should submit the following to hr.thailand@fhi360.org :

• Applicant’s CV
• Cover letter outlining experience
• Proposed daily rate 

Application deadline: December 10, 2016. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.