Research Study Assistant - (FTC - Wits RHI)

SUMMARY:
Background:

• The Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) is a renowned African-led research institute that seeks solutions to Africa’s health challenges
• It is located within the University of the Witwatersrand and addresses some of the greatest public health concerns affecting our region, including HIV and its related problems, sexual and reproductive health, and vaccinology

POSITION INFO:
Main purpose of the job:

• Day-to-day performance of research-related activities, including but not limited to administration, data collection, quality control and recruitment/retention activities
• Conduct in depth interviews and focus group discussions and facilitate workshops

• Wits RHI -7 Esselen Street, Hillbrow, Research Centre. On the 3rd,4th, and 5th Floor

• Become familiar with project/topic area through literature reviews
• Participate in project related activities (including but not limited to administration, data collection, quality control and recruitment/retention activities)
• Promote studies by conducting presentations and distributing brochures during recruitment activities
• Assist with networking with stakeholders
• Write reports on above mentioned activities and project updates
• Assist with writing reports to funders and writing grant reports
• Schedule appointments with participants and collect data
• Obtain informed consent from study participants
• Ensure quality data capturing
• Assist with transcription and translation as needed
• Ensure statistical data quality through extraction of data and data analysis
• Be up to speed with any errors or increasing errors
• Ensure storage and archiving of data according to SOP’s (electronic and hard copy data)
• Publish, disseminate and present findings/results to stakeholders
• Participation in all appropriate research related meetings (internal and external)
• Ensure adherence to study protocols, GCP, and local requirements for the ethical conduct of research in human participants
• Support the team with any other research related activities
• Attend relevant external and internal meetings
• Maintain participant files and filing systems
• Complete relevant project administration as and when required including but not limited to participant reimbursements
• Document team meetings as and when required
• Compile weekly reports on activities, progress etc.
• Take ownership and accountability for tasks and demonstrates effective self-management
• Follow through to ensure that the quality and productivity standards of own work are consistently and accurately maintained
• Maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback
• Stay abreast with developments in research
• Take ownership for driving own career development in attending training and development sessions and relevant meetings
• Attend training and development sessions such as the social science forum, journal club, seminars, writing series workshops, etc., offered by the institute and Wits University
• Comply with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Protocol requirements and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Verify accuracy of data in source documentation and accuracy of transcription from source data to Case Report Forms (CRF) as needed
• Ensure errors on source documents, e.g., CRFs, are corrected, initialled and dated
• Support the timely data entry/transmission/data faxing of relevant Case Report Forms following QC activity (as needed)
• Ensure completion of corrective action of internal and external QC reports and monitoring reviews
• Assist with staff training (and retraining) where error trends are identified

• Grade 12 / Matric
• A Tertiary Degree in Social Sciences would be advantageous
• Experience in qualitative research, including conducting in-depth interviews, facilitating focus group discussions, and conducting qualitative data analysis
• Fluent in English and Zulu and/or Sotho
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
• Proficiency in Statistical analysis using STATA would be advantageous
• Valid driver’s license

• Minimum 1 year work experience in a research (qualitative and quantitative) environment

• Certification in good clinical practice (GCP)
• Experience in writing publications will be an advantage
• Able to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Be tactful and respectful
• Ordered and systematic with strict compliance to protocols
• Empathetic with good communication and interpersonal skills
• Good administrative skills
• Able to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful
• Closing date: 22 July 2025
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

• WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position