Careers at The Center for International Health, Education and Biosecurity (CIHEB)

Job Summary

The Senior Data Manager will play a pivotal role in the Kenya Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (KENPHIA II) survey, leading and directing all data management activities. This role involves managing the production of statistical studies and handling data using advanced statistical tools like SAS, STATA, R, and Python. The Senior Data Manager will also supervise data analysts and manage the presentation of findings to stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Data Management
• Develop the Survey Data Management Plan
• Handle large and complex data sets, ensuring data quality, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Develop and implement robust data management processes to ensure data accuracy and consistency.
• Manage large databases and maintain data systems using tools such as SAS, R, Python, and SQL.
• Oversee data cleaning and verification to ensure data quality and reliability.
• Prepare comprehensive data reports using appropriate data visualisation tools for effective communication with stakeholders.
• Employ advanced SQL scripting for complex data extraction and management.
• Support the design and review of survey instruments like questionnaires, tracking forms, etc.
• Analyse survey data using SAS ,STATA or R, accounting for design features like stratification, clustering, and weighting.
• Reporting and Presentations
• Write detailed analysis plans, finalize tabulation plans and descriptions of analyses and findings for research protocols or reports.
• Develop and present routine progress reports to stakeholders in weekly and monthly meetings using various data visualisation tools.
• Input real-time data to dashboards to provide stakeholders with live updates on the survey's progress.
• Prepare comprehensive data reports, including tables and graphs to present clinical or survey results.
• Team Management
• Lead, mentor, and monitor the performance of the data analysts and associates.
• Set performance standards and conduct performance appraisals.
• Statistical Study Design and Analysis
• Design, analyse, and implement targeted statistical studies for survey/public health research.
• Conduct statistical analyses complex survey data.
• Use SAS, STATA, R, and Python for data manipulation, analysis, and visualisation.
• Generate weighted point estimates and inference estimations for survey outcomes, applying Jackknife or Taylor series linearisation techniques as needed.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree or higher in Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Science, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in a data management role, preferably in a research or health care setting.
• Proficiency in statistical software such as SAS, STATA, R, and Python.
• Extensive experience with SQL scripting for complex data extraction and manipulation.
• Knowledge of advanced statistical methods, including longitudinal analysis, mixed-effect modelling, logistic regression analyses, and model-building techniques.
• Proven experience in survey instrument design and data collection in field studies.
• Strong leadership skills with experience in training and mentoring team members.
• Knowledge of variance estimation techniques such as Jackknife and Taylor series linearisation.

Additional Requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Deep understanding of public health surveys and response rates.
• Demonstrated ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the survey's study data system, including real-time data monitoring, household monitoring, field team management, laboratory sample tracking, quality and proficiency test tool, real-time dashboard, and linkage-to-care applications.

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OVERALL JOB FUNCTION

The Data Quality Lead within the data management team will play a critical role in managing the AIMS dashboard, real-time data monitoring, and ensuring data quality within the Kenya Population-based HIV Impact Assessment II (KENPHIA II) which is a cross-sectional, Household-Based National HIV Survey. This role involves daily monitoring of survey data, identifying the addressing data issues and coordinating the data monitors to provide immediate feedback to regional field teams. The successful candidate will report to KENPHIA II Data Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

Data Quality Assurance:

• Review data collected by field teams and laboratories, ensuring consistency and accuracy across the different data sources.
• Trouble shooting data and survey process issues with other members of the data team in real time

Data Review:

• Constantly review data collected by teams and laboratories to ensure high standards of quality and accuracy.
• Maintain ongoing communication with teams to address any emerging data quality issues in real-time.
• Support the secondary editing of the survey data

AIMS Dashboard Management/ Real-Time Data Monitoring:

• Oversee the AIMS dashboard to ensure accurate and timely data entry and reporting.
• Conduct daily monitoring of survey data to identify and address missing data, skipped elements, and other quality issues.
• Provide real-time feedback to field teams to correct data collection practices.

Coordination and Escalation:

• Maintain communication with regional teams, coordinators, and monitors to address any issues and escalate when necessary.
• Coordinate with various stakeholders to ensure smooth data collection and quality assurance processes.

Feedback and Improvement:

• Analyze data quality trends and provide recommendations for process improvements.
• Develop and deliver training sessions for field teams and data monitors on best practices for data collection and quality assurance.

Team Management and Communication:

• Manage a team of data monitors who are in constant communication with field teams.
• Follow up on the data collection process and ensure adherence to protocols.
• Regularly review data collected by teams and laboratories, providing guidance and support as needed.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in statistics, computer science, public health, laboratory science or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Minimum 3 years of work experience in a quality assurance or quality control role, preferably in a public health, public health laboratory or surveillance setting.
• PHIA experience is an added advantage.
• Experience in implementing data quality improvement projects and/or managing and monitoring data QA/QC procedures in large clinical research studies.
• Familiarity with linkage to care processes and support for return of results.
• Prior experience working with LIMS and CSPro among other health information systems (HIS) in hospital settings.
• Understanding of statistical quality control processes. 
• Expertise in Total Quality Management (TQM), including QA/QC.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent organizational skills and oral/written communication abilities.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Excel and at least one of SAS, STATA or R statistical analysis package.
• Knowledge of Geographical Information System (GIS) is an added advantage.
• Ability to work independently and in a team with the ability to support the team to work effectively and efficiently.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical and attentive to details.

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Overall Job Function

Reporting the KENPHIA II Field Laboratory Manager, the Regional Laboratory Officer will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of field biomarker testing and satellite/mobile laboratory activities through extensive monitoring, supervision and carrying out spot checks to ensure compliance to the KENPHIA II protocol.

The role will also be responsible for providing Field & Satellite laboratories and Logistics oversight, ensuring coordinated supervision and smooth running of the satellite Laboratories, sample and team movements for the KENPHIA II Survey. The incumbent will ensure that samples are correctly collected, processed, and transported in line with SOPs and QA/QC procedures for point of care HIV rapid testing. In addition, the KENPHIA II Regional Lab Officer will be responsible for overseeing the smooth operations of the satellite/mobile labs as well as supplies and stocks management prior to and post satellite lab staff deployment and exit in liaison with supply chain team. The role is also responsible for the supervision of the Satellite Laboratory Leads.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure acceptable best practices, procedures and SOPs adherence are followed during sample management processes in the survey through daily monitoring and Weekly reporting.
• Supervise the satellite lab leads to ensure Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) are followed and Quality assurance is maintained in the survey.
• Ensure that all tests are preformed according to good laboratory practices (GLP) both in households and satellite labs.
• Responsible for set up and readiness of satellite labs in the assigned regions at least 1 week prior to opening.
• Coordinate with the Satellite laboratory logistician on availability and delivery of needed supplies for all the satellite labs in the region on time.
• Ensure that All survey equipment in the lab meet Kenya calibration standard before usage in the survey mainly Gene Xpert and PIMA CD4 machines.
• Ensure timely submission of reports to immediate supervisor
• Management of all laboratory supplies including tracking of expiry dates in appropriate forms at any given timeline.
• Resolving all non-conforming events (NCEs) relating to the biomarker component of the survey.
• Coordinate with the satellite lab leads to ensure maintenance of specimen’s integrity during the survey.
• Provide support at the meeting points by ensuring that the samples have been collated and shipped to the satellite lab on time.
• Work closely with the Regional survey coordinator and the other regional supervisors in addressing survey matters and ensure seamless flow of field and satellite lab activities.
• Where necessary perform refresher training as part of Quality Assurance (QA).
• Attend regional meetings and any other meetings called upon by the survey management team.
• Provide any technical support to the survey monitors when needed.
• Share daily reports on occurrences in their regions.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor of science in Medical Laboratory Sciences
• A Medical Laboratory Scientist should be skilled in QMS
• Must be registered with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB) with a current practising license.
• Experience in working on the laboratory bench for at least three (3) years.
• Experience Field laboratory sample management processes.
• Good Phlebotomy experience will be an added advantage.
• Experience in CD4 testing; proficiency in use of Point of Care (POC) is an advantage.
• Experience with population-based surveys such as KAIS, KENPHIA, Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) etc. will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of and practical experience in Laboratory logistics requirements.

Other Requirements

• Experience performing Quality Assurance measures in all phases of biomedical testing
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences
• Able to maintain high levels of confidentiality
• Fluent in both written and verbal English and Swahili languages.
• Friendly and patient
• Detail orientated and highly organized person with a go getter attitude yet a team player.
• Self-supervised and self-motivated person
• Proactive and collaborative
• Ability to travel and work non-standard working hours in any part of the country as per survey requirements.

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OVERALL JOB FUNCTION

The Regional Home-based Testing Counselling (HBTC) and Linkage to Care Officers will be responsible for supervising KENPHIA II Home-based Testing and Counselling activities in his/her assigned regions and support the linkage to care processes as per the KENPHIA II Protocol. He/she will also ensure that KENPHIA II HBTC activities are implemented as per the KENPHIA II protocol and in line with the national guidelines.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor and supervise KENPHIA II HBTC and linkage to care activities in his/her assigned region.
• Provide guidance on HBTC procedures and ensure that testing and counselling activities adhere to the national guidelines.
• Identify, document and escalate appropriately any survey non-conforming events in regard to testing and counselling and implement recommended corrective action as per KENPHIA II incident reporting guidance.
• Identify health facilities and other social services providers for referral in the region and ensure referral of participants that require care, treatment and support for social services.
• Ensure that survey HBTC Counsellors maintain confidentiality of study participants and adhere to principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and ethics of human subjects’ research.
• Maintain constant communication with the county health departments and Ministry of Health officers and other implementing partners in the survey regions for ease of referral for all participants that need linkage to care, treatment and other social services system.
• Work closely with the Facility Linkage Focal Persons to ensure a seamless process in the linkage of all participants
• Compile survey HBTC and linkage activities on a weekly, month basis or as guided and review with the National LTC lead. 
• Coordinate with the Regional Survey Coordinators and team leads to supervise and support the HBTC officers to ensure quality HBTC and Linkage to Care services as well as conduct de-briefing sessions for the counsellors.
• Attend survey team weekly meetings and provide updates on HBTC and Linkage to Care activities.
• Track the requisite linkage to care indicators throughout the survey
• Carry out other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the KENPHIA II National LTC Lead. 

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

•  Degree in any health-related field.
•  HBTC NASCOP certification and updated proficiency testing.
•  Strong supervisory and management experience.
•  5 years’ experience of which 3 years are in supervisory position at sub-county, county or HIV program level of home-based HTS provision and working knowledge of HIV program implementation.
• Experience in conducting home-based testing and counselling services and HIV health surveys will be an added advantage.
• Logistics experience including coordination and tracking of testing supplies.
• Experience in using mobile-based data collection tools like Tablets.
• Strong organizational, problem solving, people and stakeholder management skills,
• Proficiency in results-based framework and approach
• Good communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English, Kiswahili and relevant local languages as per the location of fieldwork.
• Proficiency in relevant computer applications: MS Word, Excel, Internet, Email, etc.

Other Requirements

•  Ability to meet tight deadlines and to successfully manage multiple assignments concurrently.
•  Ability to function independently or with minimal supervision.
•  Ability to travel and work non-standard working hours in any part of the country as per survey requirements.

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Overall Job Function

Reporting to the KENPHIA II Community Mobilization Lead, the KENPHIA II Regional Community Mobilization officer(s) will be responsible for overseeing mobilization activities within assigned areas. The role will be responsible for identifying key community contacts, working closely with the county community focal persons and ensuring effective communication and mobilization activities are carried out with the aim of achieving survey response rates of > 0%.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead county entry procedures fourteen days prior to data collection and coordinate community entry of field data collection teams in coordination with the Regional survey coordinator to ensure smooth KENPHIA II operations.
• Identify partners at the county, sub-county, ward and locational level and work closely with them in implementing planned community mobilization activities at the identified cluster level.
• Accurately and efficiently communicate KENPHIA II activities to the community at entry and at exit through community engagement forums, focus group discussions and door to door mobilization in the community.
• Monitor cluster readiness for data collection in accordance with the deployment plan through community engagement meetings and focus group discussions.
• Drawing from the approved ACSM strategy, develop regional Plan for all community mobilization activities in tandem with the approved deployment plan fourteen days before community entry and during data collection, communicating any challenges for resolution within 24hrs.
• Train, coordinate and oversee activities of community mobilizers through weekly and meetings and regular support supervision to ensure effective community mobilization activities are being carried out by tracking feedback from the cluster
• Working with KENPHIA II designated county focal points, guide the development of community mobilizers and coordinate with the field teams to ensure mobilization activities are fourteen days before data collection and during field activities as planned.
• Maintain pro-active stakeholder engagement ahead of the field teams, during the survey and post-survey.
• Together with the regional survey coordinators ensure team collaboration.
• Organize and lead weekly team briefings to discuss project successes/progress, review challenges, prepare for upcoming weekly activities, review data and ensure protocol/SOP adherence.
• Prepare and share weekly plans and reports detailing community mobilization schedules, meetings and overall planning documents to the Regional Survey coordinator and the National Community Mobilization Coordinator at the beginning and end of week respectively.
• Prepare and submit incident reports to the community mobilization coordinator within 24 hours. 
• Coordinate Community exit meetings a day after data collection and post data collection monitoring 10 days post data collection.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

•  Degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Psychology, Planning and any related field.
•  Understanding of HIV testing guidelines as per the Kenya National Algorithm.
•  At least 2 years’ experience implementing community mobilization of which one year has been in a leadership role supervising team.
• Working knowledge of county health management systems and a clear understanding of the Kenya Community Health Strategy 2020-2025 as well as a background in HIV/AIDS and or infectious diseases.
• Previous experience in population-based household surveys or research experience is an added advantage.

Other Qualifications

• Proactive in handling challenging situations
• Willingness to travel nationally for field work
• Strong organizational, problem solving and excellent communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication (written and spoken) skills in English and Swahili.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and to successfully manage multiple assignments concurrently.
• Ability to function independently or with minimal supervision.
• Ability to adhere to medical research health ethics, as provided.
• Ability to travel and work non-standard working hours in any part of the country as per survey requirements.

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Overall Job Function

The Regional Survey Coordinator will provide oversight, direction and support to ten field teams in his/her assigned region through the designated team leads and coordinate the regional team composed of the Regional Community Mobilization Officers, Regional Laboratory Officers, Regional HBTS and Linkage To Care Officers, Regional ICT Assistants, Regional warehouse logisticians and Regional fleet officers.  The incumbent is responsible for providing leadership and troubleshooting all elements of problem solving with field operations, ensure good community relations and serve as the liaison to the Ministry of Health and other implementing institutions in the region.

 Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide survey implementation oversight, direction and support to all field teams in his/her assigned region.
• Coordinate other regional field team members including Community Mobilization officers, Regional HBTC and Linkage officers, Regional Laboratory Officers, Regional warehouse logisticians, Regional fleet officers and Regional ICT Assistants.
• Support field team training on the study protocol, procedures, policies, relevant regulations and ensure that the study protocol, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and other relevant policies and regulations are being followed.
• Take leadership on all elements of problem solving, and troubleshooting all field operations
• Ensure good community relations and serve as the liaison to the county departments of health, Ministry of Health and other implementing institutions in the region.
• Monitor protocol deviations, receive any incident reports and document them in a form that will be transmitted to the Ethics and Regulatory Lead.
• Understand and adhere to the protocol, SOPs, and other appropriate regulations, procedures and policies and guide the team leads and field team members to ensure the same.
• Ensure that survey staff maintain confidentiality of survey participants and adhere to principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and ethics of human subjects’ research.
• Conduct frequent field visits to ensure timely recruitment of participants in the region and collection of high-quality data.
• Prepare progress report and other reports as may be required.
• Carry out other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the KENPHIA II project Management Team.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Degree in health-related field or Social Sciences
• At least 3 years of survey experience with Supervision or leadership role within a survey or research study.
• Experience in research supervisory and management
• Experience in remote data management systems and processes and experience in using mobile-based data collection tools like tablets.
• Background in HIV/AIDS and/or infectious diseases.
• Proactive in handling challenging situations.
• Strong organizational, problem solving and good analytical laboratory skills.
• Good communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English, Kiswahili and relevant local languages as per the assigned region.
• Proficiency in relevant computer applications: MS Word, Excel, Internet, Email, etc.  

Other Requirements

• Ability to meet tight deadlines and to successfully manage multiple assignments concurrently.
• Ability to function independently or with minimal supervision.
• Ability to adhere to medical research health ethics, as provided.
• Ability to travel and work non-standard working hours in any part of the country as per the survey requirements.