NHBS Project Coordinator/Ethnographer

Overview:

This full-time position is in the Philadelphia Department of Public Health Division of HIV Health (DHH) Surveillance Unit. This position is supervised by the HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program Manager and works under the scientific direction of DHH Medical Director/Primary Investigator. This position coordinates CDC funded behavioral surveillance research project and anonymous HIV testing with populations at risk for Acquiring HIV.

Responsibilities:

• Assist Principal Investigator in executing the objectives of NHBS project.
• Plan and coordinate annual NHBS cycle.
• Train and supervise full-time and part-time field staff who interview 500 participants and provide HIV counseling and testing each cycle.
• Monitor and evaluate recruitment, interviews and specimen collection for quality assurance.
• Manage multiple databases, utilizing PGP encryption software, along with secure data transfer to the CDC.
• Plan and coordinates the formative research for NHBS cycles.
• Conduct formative assessments prior to each cycle, including qualitative interviews and focus groups with key community stakeholders and participants.
• Analyze qualitative data from formative assessment to inform the development of culturally appropriate recruitment strategies, survey questions, and study protocols.
• Coordinate all phases of the research process from Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions to data collection.
• Create and modify informed consents, protocols and recruitment materials in compliance with IRB and funding agency requirements.
• Identifies medical and prevention materials needed for each NHBS cycle.
• Assist in developing local survey questions, integrating insights from formative research into the design of data collection instruments.
• Develop and maintain field scheduling for each NHBS cycle ensuring safety and security.
• Maintain inventory of supplies, incentives and equipment.
• Responsible for receiving, distributing and reconciling all participant incentives.
• Evaluate needs for ongoing formative assessment and make changes based upon findings.
• Coordinate and conduct pre-implementation and ongoing trainings for project staff.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations; including collaborations for different projects or data requests.
• Development of protocols for use in the field and in the office.
• Supervise field staff and ensure that protocols are followed.
• Participant in CDC site visits, trainings, national calls, and regular conference calls.
• Collaborate with other divisions of the Philadelphia Department of Health.
• Serve as back-up for the field supervisor, data manager, and interviewers/HIV test counselors.
• Provide overall project management.
  
  
  

Skills:

• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and verbally.
• Able to work independently, or with others.
• Willing to ask questions and keep others informed.
• Meet deadlines and work with minimal supervision.
• Must be organized.
• Have a working knowledge of the case definitions for HIV and AIDS.
• Strong qualitative research skills, including experience with conducting and analyzing focus groups and interviews.
• Ability to interpret ethnographic data to guide culturally sensitive program development.
• Experience in participatory research methods and building rapport with diverse communities.
  
  
  

EXPERIENCE:

• 2 – 3 years’ experience working in HIV field supervising staff
• Prior experience coordinating a project is a plus
• Prior experience conducting surveys
• Experience conducting ethnographic research, including formative assessments using qualitative research methods (focus groups, in-depth interviews).
• Experience working with marginalized or hard-to-reach populations and understanding of cultural dynamics in public health research
  
  
  

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

• MASTER’S DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH, HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, anthropology, sociology, OR OTHER RELATED FIELDS.
  
  
  

Salary: $80,000 - Commensurate with experience

PHMC is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer