Participatory Research in Intercultural Maternal Health – PROBITAS 2025, Chagas Initiative

ISGLOBAL; Barcelona; A distancia; EUR 50.000 - 70.000; A tiempo parcial

Descripción de la vacante

A public health research institute is seeking a motivated professional for a part-time position in qualitative research related to maternal health in Paraguay. The ideal candidate will have a background in social sciences and experience in community engagement. The role involves collaborating on culturally respectful practices while facilitating qualitative research and needs assessment in rural contexts. Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, with knowledge of Guaraní considered a plus.

Servicios

Travel expenses covered

Accommodation during the project

Basic field expenses covered

Formación

• Experience with community-based participatory research and qualitative methods.
• Experience working with rural and/or Indigenous populations is highly valued.
• Excellent spoken and written Spanish required; Guaraní knowledge is an asset.

Responsabilidades

• Facilitate qualitative diagnosis processes with women and health personnel.
• Systematize community narratives to inform culturally appropriate birth care.
• Co-develop recommendations for labor and delivery spaces.
• Support community material development for maternal health.

Conocimientos

Intercultural communication skills

Qualitative analysis capacity

Gender sensitivity

Autonomy in remote settings

Collaborative mindset

Analytical and writing skills

Proactive community engagement

Understanding of health systems

Educación

Degree or master's in anthropology, sociology, public health, or gender studies

Herramientas

Qualitative analysis tools (e.g., Nvivo)

Descripción del empleo

Overview

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases, including environmental and climate determinants, applying a multidisciplinary approach from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in five programs: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases; and Maternal Child and Reproductive Health. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction, a seal of excellence from the Spanish Science Ministry.

The Chagas Initiative group, in collaboration with Fundación PROBITAS and Paraguay\'s Health Ministry, is implementing the project "Advances in Comprehensive Care for Chagas and Maternal Health" in the Paraguayan Chaco. This position supports an objective focused on the participatory design of a culturally respectful delivery room. The selected candidate will facilitate qualitative research with women, health promoters and traditional midwives, co-develop recommendations and community materials, and integrate a gender and intercultural perspective in the documentation and analysis process.

What we are looking for

ISGlobal is seeking a motivated professional with training in social sciences, public health or related fields, and experience in participatory qualitative research. We value sensitivity to intercultural and gender issues and the ability to work in remote rural contexts. Previous experience with community engagement processes, health systems or sexual and reproductive health is highly desirable.

Key responsibilities

• Facilitate qualitative diagnosis processes with women, health personnel and traditional birth attendants.
• Systematize community narratives and needs to inform culturally appropriate birth care.
• Co-develop recommendations for the optimization of the physical space for labor and delivery.
• Collaborate in community material development for maternal health and Chagas disease.
• Support documentation, systematization and internal learning with an intercultural and gender perspective.

Specific duties

• Participate in focus groups, coordinate with community teams, collect and analyze qualitative data, prepare reports. Support workshops and validation sessions, contribute to participatory tools and visual materials.

Auxiliary tasks

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may evolve at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change, with appropriate consultation with the post-holder.

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual professional assessment process.

Skills

• Strong intercultural communication skills, especially in Indigenous and rural contexts.
• Capacity for qualitative analysis, including transcription, coding and synthesis of community narratives.
• Gender and intersectionality sensitivity in field engagement and reporting.
• Autonomy and adaptability to remote and resource-limited settings.
• Collaborative mindset, able to work within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Analytical and writing skills to produce clear, community-informed recommendations and reports.
• Proactive approach to community engagement and co-creation of culturally appropriate materials.
• Understanding of maternal and child health systems, especially in the context of ETMI-Plus and Chagas screening strategies.
• Commitment to human rights-based and decolonial approaches in global health.

Training and experience / qualifications

• Degree or master\'s in anthropology, sociology, public health, gender studies or related fields.
• Experience with community-based participatory research and qualitative methods.
• Experience working with rural and/or Indigenous populations is highly valued.

Specific requirements

• Availability for a period of time in Paraguay, including a stay in Teniente Irala Fernández and with local Indigenous communities.
• Knowledge of qualitative analysis tools (e.g., Nvivo).
• Ethical commitment to intercultural, gender and rights-based approaches.

Language level

• Excellent spoken and written Spanish. Knowledge of Guaraní is an asset. English is valued.

Conditions

• Duration: 2 months
• Starting date: 15/09/2025
• Contract Type: Part time
• Salary: According to project scale. Travel, accommodation and basic field expenses covered.

How to apply

Applicants must fill in the request form and attach the CV and a Cover Letter. Each attached document must be named with the candidate name and surname.

The receipt of applications will be open until 15 September 2025.

The interviews could be placed during the reception of candidatures period.

Diverse candidatures are encouraged, including gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political views.

Selection process

The selection process is designed in two phases:

1) Technical interview phase with the team requiring the incorporation to assess skills and CV.

2) Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.

If needed, any technical test could be passed. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for structural or transversal positions.

In accordance with OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing applications, the panel will conduct interviews with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire and a technical exercise may be required during the process.

ISGlobal is committed to maintaining a work environment where the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men are promoted in all areas, not tolerating discrimination based on age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

We confirm our commitment to diversity of our staff and student population, and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contributing to improving health worldwide.