Study Coordinator (M/F) – based in Khartoum (Sudan) for 12 months At Epicentre

Epicentre is an organisation created by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 1986. We conduct field epidemiology, training, and research activities for MSF interventions. Our activities for populations in precarious situations are led from Uganda, Niger, and France, and through the programs of MSF and others. They mainly concern infectious diseases and undernutrition.

The job purpose

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Epicentre is looking for a Study Coordinator based in Sudan. The main purpose of this position is to provide technical expertise to support 3 studies. LeishAccess is a research project comprising of three individual studies focussed on leishmaniasis. The research is a part of a larger collaborative endeavor, including Epicentre, MSF, and DNDi as consortium members.

1. PKDL

The PKDL-study is a prospective observational study that aims to assess the burden and possible risk factors for post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) relapse in patients after successful treatment for VL in Sudan and South Sudan.

2. Nomad

This prospective mixed-methods observational study focusses on assessing disease burden, risk factors and knowledge of VL among a nomadic group in Sudan.

3. Decentral

Decentral aims to evaluate the impact of decentralisation of VL diagnostics and treatment in Sudan and Ethiopia. This study also follows an observational, mixed-methods study design.

The epidemiologist position is under the technical supervision of Epicentre and integrated in the Sudan MSF mission.

You will be placed under the authority of MSF for administrative, logistics and security matters.

What you will bring

Skills to perform your main activities:

Technical skills: Together with his/her counterpart based in Paris (Principal Investigator (PI)), participates in defining, planning, and monitoring research study activities by overseeing the implementation, monitoring & evaluation, and follow-up of the study according to protocols, standards, and procedures. Coordinates human and material resources needed in order to ensure the quality of the study.

The Study Coordinator is responsible for organizing the implementation of the studies in the field. His/her main tasks are:

• Participate in the elaboration and implementation of study protocols, data collection forms and registers, standard operating procedures (SOPs), work plans, and training materials, updating them as required over the course of the studies

• Identify and report protocol deviations to the PI

• In collaboration with the PI, MSF administration department/partner organizations, and the Project Coordinators/partner field advisors, plan and supervise the associated processes of the study teams (recruitment, training, induction, performance evaluation, etc.) and follow-up on the budget at the field level

• Coordinate, supervise, coach, support, and evaluate the study teams

• In collaboration with the PI and MSF logistics department/partner organizations, plan and follow-up on material and logistics support. Monitor the consumption of study materials together with logistics and/or the laboratory teams.

• Ensure compliance of the studies with protocols and standards:

o Participate in the development of quality control checks

o Ensure the appropriate filling of the study data collection forms and registers by study staff, and the appropriate matching of the study ID between the data collection forms and the laboratory samples, when applicable

o Ensure patient enrolment and informed consent for participation in the study are followed, as well as patient counselling

• Provide training to the study teams (ex. on filling the study forms, informed consent procedures, patient confidentiality and ethics, data entry, file organization, the collection and transport of biological samples, etc.)

• Ensure regular oral and written communication with the PI, as well as with other partners involved in the study

• Liaise with study partners, local authorities, and community members on behalf of the study team, signalling to the PI any potential issues or concerns

• Participate in the drafting of study reports, presentations, and publications

• Assist in the creation of legal documents (e.g., MTA & DTAs, MoU, etc.)

Study specific accountabilities:

• Serve as the liaison between study staff, all study partners, and Epicentre, ensuring smooth communication, updating them regularly on study progress, and anticipating and signalling any potential issues to the PI

• Participate in the development of the REDCap databases (quantitative data) and focus group discussion/in-depth interview topic guides (qualitative data)

• Aid in implementation of a pseudonymization system through creation of unique identifying numbers.

• Assist with the development and implementation of study SOPs and training materials

• Coordinate and supervise quantitative data collection using REDCap software and tablets

• Coordinate and supervise qualitative data collection using NVivo software

• Organize and supervise clinical specimen collection, laboratory processing, and specimen transport, respecting all local and international regulations

• Supervise the study team, ensuring that all ethical, safety, security, and study protocols are followed

• Supervise data entry, file organisation, and data storage, in compliance with GDRP

• Develop and conduct quality control checks to ensure the verification of data entry (for example, by the random checking of approximately 10% of all REDCap files)

Team management skills:

You will be requested to coordinate activities with different collaborators and partners, and to integrate into a multi-disciplinary, multi-national and highly motivated team.

In close coordination with the HR department and following the MSF vision, policies and values, you may be involved in the processes of refining job descriptions, participating to recruitment of local staff specifically involved in the studies, ensuring their thorough understanding of the protocol and methods, data management, confidentiality, and human subjects research protection standards and practices. To do so, you will lead trainings and coaching, and contribute to performance evaluations for the team members.

International context: you are willing and able to travel internationally. You have an excellent level of English (oral, written). French is a plus.

Educational & Experience: You have a master’s degree or similar high-level certification in Epidemiology (or equivalent experience, including public health training and experience). A degree in medicine or other paramedical studies (medical doctor, nurse, medical biologist) is an asset.

Experience: Essential experience in project management. Desirable working experience in field research (relevant for the proposed research), medical or epidemiological project conducted in resource-limited countries, preferably with MSF. Desirable previous experience as Clinical Research Associate.

Languages: Essential mission language; local working language would be an asset

Essential computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet) and desirable software for data entry (RedCap)

Competencies: Communication skills and diplomacy; Leadership and autonomy ; People Management and Development ; Teamwork and cooperation

What you will get

You will work with a multicultural team in the field of epidemiology research

You will evolve in the humanitarian environment

Your contributions and ideas will be valued and highly appreciated

You will participate in the life of the organization and your missions will evolve as you become involved

Fixed-term contract of 12 months, extensible, with healthcare coverage.

Position to start beginning of June 2022.

Position based largely in Khartoum, with travel to the relevant field areas.

Remuneration according to experience and MSF salary grid.