Professional Research Nurse

Africa Health Research Institute NPC; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Africa Health Research Institute NPC invites applications for a professional research nurse to support a community-based HIV prevention program for men at taverns in rural KwaZulu-Natal.

The nurse will operate a mobile clinic, perform HIV testing, assess PrEP eligibility and initiate PrEP, conduct clinical screening, collect specimens, counsel participants, and arrange referrals under the Principal Investigator.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Nursing and SANC registration.
• Fluency in English and isiZulu.
• Valid driver’s license.
• GCP training/certification.
• Dispensing certificate or completed course.
• Minimum 5 years nursing experience after registration, including primary health care.

Responsibilities

• Drive and support the operation of the mobile clinic at taverns in the study area.
• Screen, enrol and assess participants; collect specimens and perform HIV tests; initiate PrEP and follow up.
• Develop and implement study SOPs.
• Provide day-to-day clinical leadership and coordinate the study team in the field.
• Collaborate with AHRI, tavern owners, community stakeholders, laboratories, pharmacies and Department of Health services.
• Carry out other duties related to the study as directed by the Line Manager.

Skills

Nursing

Clinical leadership

HIV testing

Phlebotomy

Staff supervision

Communication skills

Education

Nursing diploma/degree

SANC registration

Valid driver’s license

GCP training

Dispensing certificate

Tools

MS Office

Electronic data capture

Job description

The application closing date: 12 Sept 2026

Description: The purpose of this position is to support implementation of a community-based HIV prevention for men attending taverns in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The professional research nurse will deliver nurse-led mobile clinic services including HIV testing, PrEP eligibility assessment and initiation, clinical screening, specimen collection, participant counselling and follow-up, and referral/linkage to Department of Health services. The role will be performed under the guidance of the Principal Investigator.

Overview of Duties

Drive and support the operation of the mobile clinic at 10 participating taverns in the study area and ensure the mobile clinic is appropriately prepared for study activities.

Actively participate in the screening, enrolment, clinical assessment, specimen collection, HIV testing, PrEP initiation and follow-up, and clinical management and referral of study participants.

Support the development and implementation of study standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Provide day-to-day clinical leadership and coordination of the study team in the field, including supporting clinical research staff, troubleshooting operational and clinical issues, and helping ensure consistent implementation of study procedures.

Work within a multidisciplinary team and maintain effective collaboration between AHRI, participating tavern owners, community stakeholders, laboratories, pharmacies, and Department of Health services.

Carry out any other reasonable duties related to the study as directed by the Line Manager.

Requirements of the Job

Minimum Qualifications

Diploma or degree in Nursing

Current registration with SANC as a Professional Nurse

Valid driver’s license

Computer literacy (MS Office: Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

Fluency in English and isiZulu

Dispensing certificate/completed course.

GCP training/certification

Minimum Experience

Minimum 5 years of recognisable nursing experience after registration as a professional nurse with SANC, including at least two years appropriate primary health care experience.

NIMART training and experience with HIV treatment and/or prevention, including knowledge of PrEP.

Experience with HIV counselling/testing.

Experience with phlebotomy.

Experience in staff supervision.

Familiarity with research procedures, source documentation, and electronic data capture.

Community or mobile clinic outreach experience is desirable; experience working with Worker Type: Employee

AHRI is a values-driven organisation. As an employer we are committed to staff engagement and development. Our culture is one of high performance and partnership.

Our values

The successful candidate will be expected to live by AHRI’s values, including collaboration, ubuntu, leadership, innovation, transformation, and excellence.

Employment equity

AHRI is fully compliant with South African labour law and is committed to employment equity. This position is primarily open to South African or other African applicants, with a valid work permit desirable.

AHRI reserves the right in special circumstances to accept late applications or to extend the above date to facilitate further searches. Furthermore, AHRI reserves the right not to make an appointment. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.

About AHRI

Africa Health Research Institute’s vision is optimal health and well-being of under-resourced populations. Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is an independent, transdisciplinary scientific research institute based across two campuses in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa. AHRI’s research combines population, basic and translational, social, and clinical sciences to understand and intervene in the health and well-being of South African communities. AHRI works in partnership with local communities and South African academic, governmental, and other policy stakeholders and collaborates with over 60 institutions globally. AHRI prioritises the training of the next generation of African scientists. The work lives of AHRI’s ~700 scientists, students and staff members are driven by our values: ubuntu, transformation, leadership, innovation, excellence and collaboration.