Senior Research Assistant - Community Health Sciences

Aga Khan University; Karachi Division; Presencial; PKR 670.000 - 1.004.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Aga Khan University’s Department of Community Health Sciences in Karachi, Sindh invites a Senior Research Assistant to support field data collection for public health studies. This grant-funded contractual role involves coordinating with study teams, ensuring ethical compliance, and delivering high-quality data for health research.

The candidate will conduct surveys, interviews, GIS mapping, and data entry using REDCap/Kobo, with a focus on accuracy, confidentiality, and timely reporting to

Formación

• Minimum education: Intermediate (12 years).
• 1–2 years of experience in community-based data collection.
• Familiarity with field research protocols and ethical guidelines.
• Experience with REDCap preferred.
• Able to communicate in English and local languages (Urdu/Sindhi).

Responsabilidades

• Screen participants and obtain informed consent per ethical guidelines.
• Administer structured surveys in the field.
• Record GIS data for study locations.
• Conduct observations and complete field checklists.
• Collect and record quantitative data using REDCap or Kobo.
• Conduct qualitative interviews (IDIs and FGDs).
• Take detailed field notes during interviews.
• Transcribe and translate audio interviews with confidentiality.
• Attend study stakeholder meetings and take notes.
• Securely store participant data.
• Maintain field logs and study materials.
• Schedule and coordinate participant visits.
• Ensure adherence to study protocols and SOPs.
• Communicate progress to supervisors and team.

Conocimientos

Field data collection

Survey administration

Qualitative interviewing

Transcription

Data management

Educación

Intermediate (12 years of schooling)

Herramientas

REDCap

Kobo Toolbox

Descripción del empleo

Job Description - Senior Research Assistant - Community Health Sciences (2600044J)

Job Description

Senior Research Assistant - Community Health Sciences - ( 2600044J )

Senior Research Assistant
Department: Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University
Location: Karachi, Sindh.

Introduction

Aga Khan University chartered in 1983 as Pakistan's first private international university, is committed to the provision of education, research, and health care of international standards relevant to Pakistan and the region. The affiliated Aga Khan University Hospital provides state-of-the-art clinical facilities and well-equipped diagnostic services. The University currently has teaching sites in Pakistan, East Africa, the United Kingdom, and Afghanistan, and is a major component of Aga Khan Development Network.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

The Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS) is the leading unit of its type in Pakistan, recognized regionally and internationally for the relevance, quality, and extent of its work in support of public health and the development of primary health care systems. It comprises of five major operational sections: Epidemiology & biostatistics, Health policy & management, Population & reproductive health, Environmental health & climate change, and non-communicable diseases & mental health.

This is a grant funded contractual position.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible to:

• conduct participant screening, recruitment, and informed consent in accordance with ethical guidelines
• administer structured surveys and study questionnaires in the field
• help in the mapping exercise to record GIS for our data collection points
• conduct observations and fill out checklist in the selected field areas
• collect and accurately record quantitative data using tools such as REDCap/Kobo tool box
• conduct qualitative interviews (IDIs and FGDs)
• take detailed and accurate field notes during qualitative interviews, capturing key observations, non-verbal cues, and contextual insights
• transcribe and translate audio-recorded qualitative interviews with attention to detail and confidentiality
• willing to organize and attend regular meetings with the study stakeholders and take notes
• manage and securely store participant data
• maintain accurate field logs, documentation, and study materials
• schedule and coordinate appointments and follow-up visits with participants
• ensure compliance with study protocols and standard operating procedures
• communicate effectively with research supervisors and team members, providing timely updates from the field.

Requirements

You should have:

• minimum education: Intermediate (12 years of schooling)
• at least 1–2 years of experience in community-based data collection
• strong understanding of field research protocols, including participant consent and ethical guidelines
• proficiency in using digital tools and data entry platforms; experience with REDCap is highly preferred
• ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with diverse community members
• fluent in Sindhi will be preferred
• detail-oriented with strong organizational and time-management skills
• strong written and verbal communication skills in English and local languages (Urdu/Sindhi)
• organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently and collaboratively with diverse teams
• willingness to travel to field sites regularly (within Karachi and Jamshoro) and adjust to evolving project needs

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.