Non-profit Careers – Community Liaison Officer at MRC/UVRI

Organisation: The Medical Research Council/ Uganda Virus
Research Institute (MRC/UVRI)
Duty Station: Masaka, Uganda
Reports to: Scientist
About MRC/UVRI:
The Medical Research Council/ Uganda Virus Research Institute
(MRC/UVRI) Uganda Virus Research Unit on AIDS was established following a
request in 1988 from the Uganda Government to the British Government for
collaboration on the research of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection
and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency). The Unit is a center of excellence in
HIV/AIDS related research. It conducts large-scale epidemiological and
intervention studies, clinical trials, virological and immunological research
and behavioural studies, and has generated a wealth of research results that
have been used to inform policy and practice, and that have led to a large
number of scientific publications in peer reviewed journals over time.
Job Summary: The Community Liaison Officer will be responsible
for establishing, functionalizing and supervising community liaison structures
to promote meaningful and mutually beneficial community participation in
Bio-medical Research
Key Duties and Responsibilities: 
  • Establish and maintain close collaborative
    links with study communities:
  • Organize and address key community
    leaders’ meetings to provide information on planned, on-going studies and
    need for community support
  • Work closely with project leaders to
    provide timely study updates to all stakeholders
  • Document and provide timely feedback to
    community on study related concerns
  • Manage volunteers’ study information
    review and experience sharing meetings
  • Actively coordinate MRC/UVRI public
    relations; Working closely with the media, civil society, District
    leaderships (political, cultural, religious leaders and other relevant
    institutions) and international partners
  • In charge of the design and implementation
    of study specific recruitment and retention strategies
  • Design and implement study results
    dissemination plans
  • Prepare community liaison activity budgets
    for approval by programme head
  • Write community engagement activities
    reports and share them with research teams
  • Establish, train and supervise community
    based study support structures (peer leaders, volunteer representatives,
    VHTs)
  • Work in liaison with the site Community
    Advisory Board to understand and address factors that facilitate
    meaningful community partnerships.
  • Plan and conduct research literacy
    promotion workshops, seminars and events
  • Establish and maintain collaborative links
    with other HIV/AIDS research and service related institutions for synergy
  • Manage community mobilization and field
    teams
Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 
  • The ideal candidate for the Community
    Liaison Officer should hold a Degree in Social Sciences or related field.
    Possession of a Master’s degree either in a Social Sciences,
    Communications, Public Health or related field
  • Past experience in communication with
    HIV/AIDS research organisations, and stakeholder engagement (including
    participating communities, civil society and government, as well as
    international research organisations.
  • Previous experience of writing reports
  • Detailed working knowledge of how to
    engage communities in research and understanding factors that facilitate
    community participation
  • Working knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention
    technologies
How to Apply:
All candidates should send their applications letters, copies of
academic qualifications and curriculum vitae including names, telephone
contacts and email addresses of two referees should be sent only via e mail to:
recruitment@mrcuganda.org. Please clearly indicate the Position Title in the
subject line of the email.
NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be
contacted for interviews
Deadline: 24th April, 2015

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