Research Coordinator at Aga Khan University Hospital

Research Coordinator, Department of Community Health Sciences

Entity
Medical College

Location
Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction
Aga Khan University's (AKU) Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS) is a preeminent public health institution in the country. The vision of the Chancellor set the direction for the University to take a lead in community development and the creation of an innovative curriculum that emphasizes a balance between patient care and population health. Over the past several decades, CHS has played a major role in leading the development of national level primary health care, public health practice, health systems through evidence-based approach. CHS has established successful models in urban and rural settings in Pakistan emphasizing empowerment - building on the strengths of communities. As part of an international university, CHS collaborates in a global network of outstanding research and teaching institutions including AKU affiliates in East Africa and Central Asia.

CHS has five major sections – Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Health Policy & Management, Population & Reproductive Health, Environmental-Occupational and Climate Change (EOHCC), and Non-Communicable Diseases & Mental Health.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

This is a grant-funded, contractual position.

Responsibilities
You will be responsible to:

• increase community demand for vaccination services through social networking and engagement
• conduct house-to-house visits within assigned areas (polygon areas)
• increase referrals to immunization centers
• map and engage local influencers, particularly women influencers, for vaccination advocacy
• create and manage social networks of community influencers
• identify and coordinate with gynecologists and different types of birth attendants (BA/SBA/TBA)
• develop strong liaison with all birth attendants to promote vaccination uptake
• communicate with communities through social messaging platforms including WhatsApp
• facilitate digital communication using smartphones, social media, and internet-based tools
• organize community events to promote immunization awareness and recognize participating households
• identify and facilitate locations for community engagement sessions (clinics, influencer houses, bethaks, deras)
• build community capacity for interpersonal communication regarding immunization
• work within designated union councils
• create and maintain social profiles of assigned areas
• update and maintain daily activity reports
• coordinate closely with frontline workers such as vaccinators and CBVs
• perform any other tasks assigned by the Senior Manager or project team
  

Requirements
You should have:

• a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, Nursing (BSN), Early Childhood Education diploma, or LPN certification
• minimum 2 years of relevant experience, preferably in EPI (Expanded Program on Immunization) or PEI (Polio Eradication Initiative)
• experience in community mobilization for immunization programs
• strong knowledge of local communities and ability to engage local influencers
• proven ability to build community networks and relationships
• proficiency in Urdu and at least one regional language (Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, or Seraiki)
• strong interpersonal and communication skills
• familiarity with social media and digital communication tools

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.