Vacancy

Data Collectors for Survey on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) is implementing a project on HIV Biomedical Prevention Products in Malawi, a Consortium to Advance Access to HIV Prevention Products (CAAPP), funded by International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). The goal of the project is to significantly increase the delivery of new biomedical HIV prevention methods at FPAM (IPPF) delivery points and to successfully integrate those services. With the high HIV prevalence in Malawi, exploring effective Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery models is essential. This project focuses on evaluating current PrEP delivery models to enhance access, uptake, and effectiveness, especially for vulnerable groups within Malawi’s healthcare landscape

Background:

Although Malawi has made progress in scaling up antiretroviral treatment and bringing down HIV prevalence, there has been a slow decline in new HIV infections. While there has been an estimated 76% reduction of new infections from a baseline of 58,068 in 2010 to 14,000 in 2024, the country did not meet the UNAIDS fast track target of achieving 75% reduction in new infections by 2020. The National strategic plan 2020 -2025 aims at reducing new HIV infections from 33,000 in 2019 to 11,000 in 2025. PrEP is regarded as a game changer, but there is need to ensure fidelity and increased uptake. The Family Planning Association of Malawi is implementing a study which aims to support these trends, and improve PrEP uptake, persistence, and effective use by providing implementation guidance for differentiated and simplified service delivery. The study will be conducted in three districts namely, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Dowa.
FPAM is therefore planning to recruit and engage data collectors to assist in collecting high-quality data through questionnaires, focus group discussions, and interviews.

Scope of Work:
Data collectors will be responsible for:

1. Data Collection:

• Conducting in-depth interviews (IDIs) with PrEP users and potential users from diverse backgrounds.
• Facilitating focus group discussions (FGDs) with target populations, ensuring participatory engagement.
• Conducting key informant interviews (KIIs) with healthcare providers, stakeholders, and other relevant experts.
• Taking detailed notes and recordings (where consent is given) to ensure accurate data capture.

2. Data Documentation and Quality Assurance:

• Accurately transcribing qualitative data from interviews and discussions.
• Ensuring completeness and consistency of field notes and transcripts.
• Providing summaries of key themes emerging from data collection.
• Reporting any challenges or inconsistencies to the M&E and Project Coordinators.

3. Ethics and Confidentiality:

• Obtaining informed consent before conducting interviews or discussions.
• Ensuring confidentiality and anonymity of respondents.
• Adhering to ethical guidelines for qualitative research, including participant safety and data protection protocols.
• Participating in ethics and research methodology training before data collection.

Requirements:

1. Education and Experience:
   A Diploma or Degree in Public Health, Social Sciences (including Demography), or related fields.
   At least one (1) year of experience in qualitative data collection, preferably in health-related research.
   Experience in facilitating FGDs and conducting in-depth interviews (IDIs) or KIIs.
2. Skills:

• Strong facilitation and interpersonal skills to engage diverse participants.
• Ability to probe effectively to elicit in-depth responses.
• Familiarity with qualitative data collection tools (e.g., interview guides, thematic analysis).
• Experience with audio recording, transcription, and qualitative data management.

3. Language:

• Fluency in [local language(s)- Chichewa, Tumbuka and English].
  Deliverables:
  Data Collectors will be expected to submit:

1. Transcribed Interview and FGD Data
   o Verbatim transcriptions of IDIs, KIIs, and FGDs.
2. Thematic Summary Reports
   o Summary of emerging themes, patterns, and key insights from qualitative data.
   o Documentation of any challenges or observations from fieldwork.
   Timeline:
   • Data collection will take place in three phases, each lasting approximately 4 days.
   • Data Collectors may be engaged for one or multiple phases depending on project needs.
   • The anticipated start date for the first phase will be communicated, with subsequent phases scheduled as per project timelines.
   Reporting:
   Data collectors will report to

• M&E coordinator and
• Project coordinator

Ethics and Safety:

• Data Collectors must strictly adhere to ethical research standards for qualitative data collection.
• Confidentiality agreements may be required before handling sensitive data.
  Payment and Benefits:
  Data collectors will receive DSAs based on FPAM rates.

Method Of Application

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your application, including:

1. A cover letter outlining your experience and qualifications.
2. A detailed CV
3. Contact information for at least three professional references.

Applications should be submitted to: The Executive, Director, Family Planning Association of Malawi, email (vacancy@fpamalawi.org).

Closing date is Tuesday 25th March 2025.