Job Title: Community Liaison Officer
Organisation: Medical Research Council (MRC UK) /UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit
Duty Station: Kyamulibwa, Uganda
Position Code: CLO -525
Reports to: Head of Communications and Engagement
About the Company:
The Medical Research Council (MRC UK) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence with dominant research themes in the areas of HIV and emerging infections, vaccines and immunity, and chronic diseases and cancer. Through a multidisciplinary approach, intersecting basic science, epidemiological research, social-behavioural research and the conduct of new intervention evaluation studies, the Unit contributes knowledge on changing epidemics and diseases, the evaluation of innovative health care options, treatment and prevention and the development of health policy and practice in Africa and worldwide. Following the signing of strategic transfer agreements between the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Medical Research Council (MRC UK), the Unit formally joined LSHTM on 1st February 2018. The exciting new partnership will boost research capacity into current and emerging health issues in Africa and throughout the world. The Unit is based at the UVRI Entebbe campus with established outposts in Kalungu, Masaka, Wakiso and Kampala Districts.
Job Summary: The position holder will support the implementation of the Unit’s community engagement strategy and coordinates related activities at the field station. This role ensures that research activities are conducted in a way that is respectful of and responsive to community priorities, facilitating collaborative partnerships between researchers and local communities. The CLO will support the active participation of local stakeholders, integrate local knowledge into research processes, and promote ethical engagement practices in research.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Community Engagement Strategy Implementation:
- Support the implementation of the Unit’s community engagement strategy at the field station, adapting it to local needs while ensuring alignment with overall organizational goals; and,
- Facilitate and support community members in leading and shaping engagement activities, ensuring their voices are central in the design and execution.
Partnership Building:
- Establish strong, trust-based relationships with community leaders, local organizations, and participants to foster a collaborative and inclusive environment; and,
- Promote community ownership of research activities, encouraging local stakeholders to take leadership roles in relevant engagement initiatives.
Collaborative Research Support:
- Work closely with research teams to ensure that community perspectives are integrated into all stages of the research process, from design to dissemination;
- Collaborate with the field station team to organize community engagement activities, ensuring that activities are locally relevant and responsive to community needs; and,
- Advise the research team on best practices for co-designing research activities with the community, ensuring that research is culturally appropriate, ethical, and beneficial to the local context.
Health Communication and Education:
- Support the development and dissemination of health communication materials that reflect local knowledge, concerns, and priorities;
- Represent the Field Station at community health education activities, such as family health days and public health talks; and,
- Ensure that all health-related messages and materials are developed in collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure cultural relevance and accessibility.
Ethical Engagement:
- Ensure that community members are fully informed and actively involved in the research process through participatory and transparent informed consent practices; and,
- Support the ethical conduct of all community engagement activities, ensuring that engagement practices respect local customs, traditions, and preferences.
Reporting:
- Establish and maintain mechanisms for ongoing feedback;
- Write and share reports on field activities, community feedback, and engagement outcomes, with research teams (and line manager) for incorporation into the research process; and,
- Facilitate regular dialogues between research teams and the community, ensuring transparent communication and fostering a sense of ownership and trust among participants.
Research Dissemination:
- Assist in the design and implementation of research dissemination plans at the end of projects that are accessible, understandable, and actionable to communities.
Logistical Support:
- Coordinate logistical support for community engagement activities, including travel, transport, and the distribution of supplies to field teams and community stakeholders; and,
- Ensure that community engagement events and activities are conducted in a timely and efficient manner, with local involvement and leadership.
Financial Responsibilities:
- Prepare budgets for approved community and participant activities;
- Ensure activities are delivered within approved budgets; and,
- May be delegated responsibility for managing participant reimbursements/payments.
People Management Responsibilities:
- Foster a collaborative, respectful environment with field workers, study teams, and community members; and,
- Provide mentorship and technical support to field staff as needed.
Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements:
- Comply with the Unit’s Code of Conduct, Equality & Diversity Policy, Health & Safety Policy, and Data Protection guidelines at all times;
- Job descriptions will be reviewed periodically and during annual appraisals. Amendments can be made by agreement between the post holder and their line manager; and,
The duties outlined are not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities within the scope of the role.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Community Psychology, Social Sciences, or related fields;
- Training in community engagement, health communication, or research ethics;
- Should possess at least three years of relevant work experience in a research setting, with a strong focus on community engagement roles;
- Previous experience working in public healthcare, education, or international research settings;
- Familiarity with conducting research in population-based or longitudinal study settings;
- Experience writing reports;
- Should have demonstratable technical competence in community engagement and coordination of field activities;
- Working knowledge of research study protocols and standard research procedures;
- Proven ability to obtain informed consent and engage respectfully with diverse community populations;
- Basic computer literacy, including use of Microsoft Office applications.
- Proficiency in English and Luganda (or other relevant local languages);
- Should possess strong personal integrity skills;
- Emotional intelligence;
- Ability to learn;
- Cultural sensitivity and openness;
- Dependability;
- Problem solving;
- Proactivity;
- Results orientation;
- Attention to detail;
- Commitment to excellence;
- Innovativeness;
- Flexibility;
- Service orientation; and,
How to Apply
Follow the link below to fill a form and submit your application documentation:
Filling the form more than once will lead to automatic disqualification. High level of integrity while filling the form is required and will be considered during shortlisting.
All candidates should combine all their application documentation i.e. cover letter, CV & certified copies of academic documents into one PDF document. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. This position is open to Ugandan nationals only. Strictly follow the application procedure
as failure to do so will lead to automatic disqualification. Only online applications through the link provided will be accepted. You will receive a notification in your email if your application and documentation have been successfully received.
N.B: You will be required to present certified copies of your academic documentation before employment.
The applications should be addressed to:
The Head of Human Resources,
MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O. Box, 49, Entebbe, Uganda.
Consider your application unsuccessful if not contacted within eight (8) weeks after the closing date of the advert. Any form of lobbying at any stage will lead to automatic disqualification. By submitting your personal information, you consent to the MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit holding and using it in accordance with its recruitment policy and procedure. The Unit reserves the right to verify documents attached with the relevant awarding institutions to authenticate their validity.
NB: MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit strives for inclusion and diversity and therefore considers all job applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, and disability. We highly encourage persons with disabilities to apply and compete for different job openings at the Unit. The Unit is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse work force and does not ask for money at any stage of recruitment.
Deadline: 20th May 2025
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