The Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with Makerere University School of Public Health received funding from the United States Government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement the 2024-2025 Uganda Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA) survey. The main goal of the survey is to get a better understanding on the impact of public health interventions on the burden of HIV at national level. The survey will enrol approximately 15,000 participants across the entire country over a period of about 4 months. To achieve the survey goals, the Ministry of Health is looking to employ qualified personnel to constitute survey teams to undertake various tasks and responsibilities throughout the country. All survey personnel should be able to read and write in English and at least one of the eight (8) major local languages spoken in Uganda namely, Ateso, Luganda, Lugbara, Luo, Lusoga, Ngakarimojong, Runyakole-Rukiga and Runyoro-Rutoro. The contracts are for three (3) Months renewable for one (1) Month subject to availability of funds. Applications are invited from suitably qualified Ugandans to fill the positions below. Detailed job descriptions can be accessed on www.health.go.ug
| S/N Position | Number Location (working station) | |||
| 1 | Interviewer | 120 | Throughout Uganda | |
| 2 | Counsellor | 60 | Throughout Uganda | |
| 3 | Field Laboratory Technicians | 60 | Throughout Uganda | |
| 4 | Satellite Laboratory Technician/ Technologists | 42 | Regional/District Hospitals | |
| Total | 282 | |||
Application Procedure
The Applications should be filled ONLINE at the following links provided in the table below respectively and submitted to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health not later than Friday 6 December, 2024.)
| S/N | Position | Application link |
| 1 | Interviewer | https://makerere-university-school-of-public-health.breezy.hr/p/190e1a736b2-interviewer |
| 2 | Counsellor | https://makerere-university-school-of-public-health.breezy.hr/p/824eOebe8087-counsellor |
| 3 | Field Laboratory
Technicians |
https://makerere-university-school-of-public-health.breezy.hr/p/bc4ed9c2bf6e-field-laboratory-technicians |
| 4 | Satellite Laboratory
Technician/ Technologists |
https://makerere-university-school-of-public-health.breezy.hr/p/37747a38b4c8-satellite-laboratory-technologist |
Applicants are advised to:
- Scan and attach only the relevant documents.
- Create an email address in case you do not have one Required Documents include the following:
- Application/ cover letter (type in section)
- Detailed Curriculum Vita showing three referees.
- Copies of academic papers
- Copies of record of employment history (Appointment letters & Contract Agreements) stated in the Curriculum Vita. Any period of employment not backed up by an appointment instrument shall not be considered as relevant experience. Scan documents 2-4 as one document and upload under the (CV / Resume) section.
Applicants who will be shortlisted for interviews shall be required to present Originals of their Academic Transcripts, Certificates and National Identity Cards at the time of sitting the Interviews
| Job Title: | INTERVIEWER – (120 Positions) |
| Reports to: | Field Team Leader |
| Work Station: | Throughout Uganda |
| Job Purpose: | As part of the Uganda Population-based HIV Impact Assessment
(UPHIA) Survey, qualitied Ugandans will be enlisted to conduct individual interviews to participants who are eligible and consent to the survey. UPHIA interviewers will be required to conduct quality interviews using hand held tablets. |
| Duties and
Responsibilities: |
• Collect all materials needed for fieldwork.
• Safely maintain the tablet and ensure that it is charged when needed. • Taking responsibility for the safety and good condition of all materials and equipment under his/her care • Approach participants as assigned by Team Leader. • Conduct interview consent procedures using the tablet. • Conduct individual interviews using the tablet. • Conduct biomarker consent procedures using the tablet. • Must be able to complete interviews on the tablets with accuracy and reasonable speed. • Conduct all other survey activities including collection of informed consent and interviewing participants in accordance with the procedures described in the interviewers’ manual. • Responding to any questions that individuals have about the survey • Identify participants who are in need of referrals. Provide such participants with appropriate referrals by completing the relevant referral form. • Storing and transmitting survey data electronically as indicated by survey procedures • Inform the Team Leader of interviews completed and partially completed on a daily basis. • Schedule return visits for any incomplete interviews. • Any other duties as assigned from time to time. |
| Qualifications and Experience | • Minimum educational requirement: Diploma or above in any relevant. field.
• Ability to read, write and speak fluently in English and at least one main local language in the geographical areas where they are posted to work. • Able to collect data using electronic devices such as computers, smart phones and tablets. • Experience with data collection software such as ODK, SPro, SurveyCTO, KoboCollect. • Must have good organizational and interpersonal skills. • Experience working in large population surveys such as UPHIA and DHS in the last 7 years. • Valid certificate in GCP, GCLP and protection of human research participants |
| Competences | Able to work on the program continuously for the contract period.
• Attend all technical trainings as outlined by survey Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). • Willingness and commitment to work away from home and travel continuously. • Must be able to organize oneself and work independent of close supervision. • Ability to adapt to local field conditions. • Must be a team player. |
| Job Title: COUNSELLOR- (60 Positions) | |
| Reports to:
Work Station: |
Field Team Leader
Throughout Uganda |
| Job Purpose: | As part of the Uganda Population-based HIV Impact Assessment
(UPHIA) Survey, the field team Counsellor will be required to provide quality HIV testing and counselling services. He/she will be responsible for all home-based counselling activities in the household such as pre test counselling, return of results of rapid tests performed in the household such as HIV post-test counselling and HIV risk assessments |
| Duties and
Responsibilities: |
• Collect all materials needed for fieldwork.
• Safely maintain the tablet and ensure that it is charged when needed. • Must be able to complete interviews on the tablets with accuracy and reasonable speed. • Approach participants as assigned by Team Leader. • Conduct interview consent procedures using the tablet. • Conduct individual interviews using the tablet. • Conduct biomarker consent procedures using the tablet. • Provide HIV counseling services at the household level • Prepare participants to take the HIV test by carrying out pre-test counseling • Assess and explore participant’s HIV risk and offer risk reduction options • Provide appropriate post-test counseling and referrals • Identify participants who are in need of referrals. Provide such participants with appropriate referrals by completing the relevant referral form. • Inform the Team Leader of interviews completed and partially completed on a daily basis. • Schedule return visits for any incomplete interviews. • The Interviewer will be reporting to the Team Leader for the particular team. • Any other duties as assigned from time to time. |
| Qualifications and Experience | • Minimum educational requirement: Diploma in social sciences, biological sciences, or related field.
• Preference given to those with HIV testing and counselling certifica-tion. • Ability to read and speak fluently in English and at least one main local language in the geographical areas where they are posted to work. • Able to work with computers and tablets. • Must have good organizational and interpersonal skills. • Experience working in large population surveys such as UPHIA and DHS in the last 7 years. • Valid certificate in GCP and protection of human research participants |
| Competences | • Able to work on the program continuously for the contract period.
• Attend all technical trainings as outlined by survey Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). • Willingness and commitment to work away from home and travel continuously. • Must be able to organize oneself and work independent of close supervision. • Ability to adapt to local field conditions. • Must be a team worker and player. • Must be available to attend didactic training starting in January 2025 • Must be able to start work by beginning of March 2025. |
| Job Title:
FIELD LABORATORY TECHNICIAN- ( 60 Positions) |
|
| Reports to: | Field Team Leader |
| Work Station: | Throughout Uganda |
| Job Purpose: | The field laboratory technician will be responsible for all biomarker related procedures at the household/team level, such as phlebotomy rapid blood tests, processing and shipping of specimens, waste management, interpreting and documenting test results & equipment maintenance. |
| Duties and
Responsibilities: |
• Attend all technical trainings as outlined by UPHIA Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPS). • Conduct phlebotomy and all required biomarker tests and procedures • Conduct internal quality control procedures as per schedule and QC SOP and correctly fill QC logs • Maintain strict confidentiality of participant test results • Handle and store samples appropriately until shipment • Adhere to survey Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) • Adhere to principles of universal safety precautions as well as safe handling and disposal of biohazardous materials as per SOP • Ensure that required supplies and consumables are in sufficient stock and stored appropriately to avoid survey interruptions • Maintaining field lab equipment and consumables • Safely maintain tablet computer while in their possession, ensure that tablet is charged when needed • Identify and document survey non-conforming events and implement recommended corrective action. • Any other duties as assigned from time to time |
| Qualifications and Experience | • Must be a trained Laboratory Technician with Diploma or above
• Required: Annual Practitioner’s License • Ability to read, write and speak fluently in English and language at least one main local language in the geographical areas where they are posted to work. • Must have basic computer skills. • Experience working in large population surveys such as UPHIA and DHS in the last 7 years. • Valid certificate in GCP, GCLP and protection of human research participants |
| Competences | • Must have good organizational and interpersonal skills, be a team worker/player
• Able to work on the program continuously for the contract period • Must be able to organize oneself and work independent of close supervision. • Ability to adapt to local adverse conditions. • Must be available to attend didactic training starting in January 2025 • Must be able to start work by beginning of March 2025. |
| Job Title: | SATELLITE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST-
(42 Positions) |
| Reports to: work station: | Laboratory Advisor
Regional/District Hospitals |
| The Satellite Hospital-based Regional/District Laboratory Technologists will be responsible for receiving, veritying and processing whole blood samples including plasma separation, aliquoting, performing external quality assurance (EQA) of HIV rapid testing, Dried Blood Spot (DBS)
Job Purpose: preparation, storage of specimens using Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) specimen management software, and shipping of plasma and DBS aliquots to the central laboratories based at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and at Uganda National Health Laboratory and Diagnestie Services (UNHLDS). Duties and Responsibilities: • Attend all required technical trainings as outlined by UPHIA StandardOperating Procedures (SOPs). • Receive and accession samples from field survey teams into LIMS specimen management software. • Ensure samples are processed within specified arm to freezer time as outlined in the survey SOP. • Conduct CD4+ T cell counts using approved survey test methodologies and as per respective SOP • Repeat HIV rapid tests on the first 50 samples performed by each HIV field-based tester as part of survey EQA. • Prepare DBS aliquots from whole blood samples to be stored in designated freezer locations using LIMS. • Centrifuge whole blood samples and prepare plasma aliquots to be stored in designated freezer locations using LIMS. • Produce reports on the number of: whole blood samples received, DBS prepared, plasma aliquots prepared, and EQA Rapid HIV tests done. • Pack and ship specimens to UNHLDS /UVRI using packing instruction 650 of ICAO/ATA guidelines. • Adhere to laboratory health safety practices. • Properly dispose of survey biohazard waste following all national regulations and guidance. • Ensure that all relevant internal quality control for UPHIA survey samples are performed and documented according to SOPs. • Verify and replenish field team supplies as per their requisition following FEFO rules of stock management to avoid survey interruption • Ensure sufficient stock of required supplies and consumables and that they are securely kept under recommended conditions • Liaise and work in close collaboration with the Lab Advisor, community mobilization coordinator, Procurement and Logistics Manager (or Warehouse Officer), atelite laboratory health facility staff and field survey teams • Identify and document survey non-conforming events and implement recommended corrective action. • Any other duties as assigned. |
|
| Qualifications and Experience | • Bachelor’s Degree or above in medical laboratory technology/ biomedical sciences
• Registered with Allied Health Professional Council and with valid practicing license. • At least a minimum of 2 years Laboratory experience in HIV testing and Quality Control and Quality Assurances procedures in a recognized health facility • Those with practical experience in use of Lab Management Information Systems (LMIS) and experience with Logistics and Procurement Management will have an added advantage. • Experience working in large population surveys such as UPHIA and DHS in the last 7 years. • Valid certificate in GCP, GCLP and protection of human research participants |
| Competences | • Strong organizational and good analytical laboratory skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication (written and spoken) skills in English as well as any of the relevant local languages. • Ability to meet tight deadlines and to successfully manage multiple assignments concurrently. • Ability to work non-standard working hours in order to ensure 24-hour operation cycle. • Ability to solve problems and work as a team member. • Proficiency in relevant computer applications: MS Word, Excel, Internet, Email, etc. |
| • Ability to function independently or with minimal supervision.
• Ability to adhere to medical research health ethics, as provided. Note: Only successful candidates will be contacted |