Field Coordinator, Medicine
Department: Medicine
Entity: Aga Khan University
Introduction to the Aga Khan University:
Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous, and self-governing international university with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries distributed across three continents. As an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research pertinent to the countries in which it exists and has campuses, programs and/or teaching hospitals in Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the UK. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access; and AKU is a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change.
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.
Job Roles / Responsibilities:
The Field Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing and managing various aspects of research projects, including implementing field-based strategies, monitoring data collection and entry processes, facilitating the collection of biological specimens, and preparing monthly reports on assigned activities.
We are hiring individuals with strong communication skills, preferably with experience working in the communities of Karachi, for a three-year project funded by the Welcome Trust. The project involves data collection from food outlets and households across Karachi. The ideal candidate should be capable of quickly building rapport with community gatekeepers, engaging government stakeholders to obtain necessary permissions, and managing and guiding field teams to ensure accurate data collection in accordance with study protocols, timelines, and quality standards.
Responsibilities will include:
- Supervise operational field activities (data collection, data entry, specimen collection) and other planned implementation strategies.
- Ensure all logistics arrangement (data collection tools, gadgets, stationary, vehicles, etc.) required for a smooth field operations.
- Develop detailed field operation plans, including timelines, and allocation of available resources.
- Provide guidance and support to field teams to ensure they adhere to study protocol, project timelines and quality standards.
- Conduct regular monitoring and address any issues or challenges faced by field personnel.
- Coordinate and oversee the supplies of necessary materials, and equipment maintenance for field operations.
- Serve as the primary point of contact between field teams and project core team.
- Prepare regular reports on field activities, progress, and challenges.
- Collaborate with local communities and stakeholders to ensure the smooth running of projects.
- Address community concerns and promote positive relationships between the study team and the local population.
- Proficiency in relevant software and tools for data tracking and reporting.
Requirements:
The applicant should have:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social sciences or a relevant field
- Experience in community-based projects is preferable.
- Willingness to work in community settings.
- Ability to work collegially with community members and study participants.
- Strong ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Good computer literacy.
- Tact and professionalism in handling challenging situations.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Capacity to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.