Department

Institute for Human Development Office

Entity

IHD

Location

Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU, http://www.aku.edu) is a private, autonomous and self-governing international university, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents. An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org), AKU provides higher education in multiple health science and social science disciplines, carries out research pertinent primarily to low- and middle-income countries and operates 7 hospitals (soon 8) and over 325 outreach clinics, all at international standards. It has almost 2,500 students and 14,000 staff. The University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. As a leading international institution dedicated to excellence and change, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact and access.

The Institute for Human Development is dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge with direct relevance for policies, programs, and practices that enhance life experiences at all stages of human development.  In its foundational years, the Institute seeks particularly to become a major instrumental agent, locally as well as globally, for advancing knowledge about the earliest years of children’s development and harnessing such knowledge for the purposes of shaping policies and interventions that ensure a strong start in life for all children wherever they may live.

Job Summary

The purpose of this role is to coordinate assessments and nursing care of patients attending hospitals participating in a genetic study of neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Nairobi. The Research Officer will be expected to work with the hospital members of staff to ensure delivery of quality care to the participants. Other roles will include oversight to data collection and recruitment of study participants, ensuring adherence to standard operating protocols for the NeuroDev study.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate medical and nursing care particularly for people visiting outpatient clinic;
• Oversee the screen and identification of eligible participants;
• Provide information, education and support to families or guardians of potentially eligible research participants;
• Facilitate the participant consenting process for the NeuroDev study;
• Coordinate collecting of sociodemographic and phenotype data, using research electronic data capture software;
• Coordinate collecting of blood and saliva samples, while ensuring proper storage and transport;
• Manage study-specific research staff s assigned to the hospital under this study;
• Foster good working relations with hospital’s nursing, clinical team, and other support departments;
• Be willing to participate in continuous medical education (CME) activities in mental/neurological health care.

• A clinical degree, either Medical Degree or BSc. in Nursing. A master’s degree is preferable;
• Demonstrated research experience in carrying out research studies in medical or public health;
• At least 1 years’ experience in clinical care/ nursing;
• Flexibility; able to work extra hours when needed;
• Ability to work with vulnerable populations such as those with neurological or mental health disorders;
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written);
• Demonstrated computer proficiency in project management tools and Microsoft Office applications;
• Experience in care for children and adolescents with behavioral or neurological disorders is an added advantage;
• Willingness to travel to other NeuroDev sites within the country.

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Closing Date: 30/04/2021, 9:59:00 PM