BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Walimu is a leading research and policy advocacy organization in Uganda. Our team of over 150, all Ugandan, implements studies alongside a global team of research scientists and then scales successful interventions nationwide. Walimu was founded in 2010 and incorporated as an NGO in Uganda in 2013, currently focusing on turning research evidence in to practical, sustainable solutions for patient care through advocacy and evidence driven approaches. WALIMU is currently looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking, and self-motivated Junior Research Nurses under its project “The Risk-Enhanced Community Care After Discharge (REConneCteD)’’, a digital health intervention designed to strengthen continuity of care for children following hospital discharge by integrating hospital-based electronic medical records (EMRs) with the electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS). Through this integration, the study facilitates communication between health facilities and Community Health Workers (CHWs), enabling risk stratified follow-up of children after discharge. The study is being implemented as a multicentre, two-batch stepped wedge cluster-randomized trial in Uganda and Kenya. Its primary objective is to evaluate whether REConneCteD reduces post-discharge mortality among children up to 16 years of age admitted with infectious illnesses, while also improving continuity of care and care-seeking following hospital discharge. The Research Nurses are central to the successful implementation of the study ensuring that the study runs ethically, safely and according to study the study protocol. The under-listed Hospitals will constitute the duty stations for this assignment; Lira Regional Referral Hospital (2) and Pentecostal Assemblies of God Hospital (2)

TITLE: Junior Research Nurses- (4 Positions)

REPORTS TO Team leader for the study site

LOCATION Lira

DEPARTMENT Programmes

DURATION 12 months, contingent on donor funding subject to satisfactory performance

JOB OVERVIEW/SUMMARY Reporting to Team Leader for the study site, the Junior Research Nurses will work closely with Clinicians, Field Officers, Hospital teams and Project coordinator to ensure high-quality participant recruitment, clinical data collection, and adherence to the study protocol. They will also ensure compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), ethical and regulatory requirements, and contribute to maintaining the quality and integrity of study data throughout the project. They will screen, identify eligible research study participants, obtain informed consent, conduct clinical assessments and collect patient histories, accurately capture study data using electronic tablets, coordinate participant follow-up activities, and maintain complete study documentation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Determine patient eligibility at study sites.
• Consent study subjects.
• Collect all required data during hospitalization.
• Ensure safety and confidentiality of the data collected.
• Collect specimens and conduct appropriate laboratory testing.
• Work hand in hand with the Team Site Lead to ensure consistent quality in data collection and seamless clinical and research activities.
• Uphold high level of professional conduct.
• Work hand in hand with the Team Site Lead and Study Coordinator to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data collected.
• Uphold high level of professional conduct
• Conduct all procedures as indicated in the study protocol
• Adhere to standard operating procedures
• Any other duties as assigned.

WALIMU Staff shall adhere to the values and principles outlined in the Human Resources Manual. Listed as; Evidence; Excellence; Innovation; Integrity; Partnership; and Teamwork. Following these values, WALIMU operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation. Confidentiality: Ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of WALIMU acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organization without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Note: The role of the Junior Research Nurses cannot be limited to the specific duties and tasks detailed herein. The success of the WALIMU’s mission is the highest priority and all issues which arise must be addressed. Accordingly. Therefore, s/he will be required to manage all unforeseen issues and circumstances and remain flexible to perform any other duties, as and when required.

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

Education;

• Certificate or Diploma in Nursing.
• Must be registered with the Ugandan Nurses and Midwives Council.
• Must hold a valid practicing license.
• Certification in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is required. Candidates without current certification should be willing to undertake GCP training before study initiation.

Experience;

• A minimum of two (2) years of clinical experience, preferably in a busy pediatric ward, emergency unit, neonatal unit, or outpatient department.
• Experience in conducting basic pediatric nursing procedures, including patient assessment, vital sign monitoring, medication administration, specimen collection, and infection prevention and control.
• Previous experience working on clinical research studies or public health projects.
• Experience using electronic data capture systems and mobile data collection applications such as REDCap, CommCare, Open Data Kit (ODK), KoboCollect, or similar platforms.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

Skills and Competencies;

• Ability to communicate effectively in English and local language commonly spoken within the study area (Langi, Lusoga and Luganda).
• Must be able to relate and communicate with children, caregivers, clinicians, and other healthcare workers.
• Knowledge of research ethics, informed consent procedures, participant confidentiality, and data quality assurance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), email communication, and general internet use.
• Excellent clinical assessment and pediatric nursing skills.
• High standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation and high-quality data collection.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team.
• Good problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• High level of emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion when interacting with children and caregivers.
• Ability to work in busy clinical environments and adapt to changing priorities.
• Commitment to maintaining participant confidentiality and adherence to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and study protocols.
• Willingness to travel within the study area and work flexible hours, including weekends or public holidays when required by study activities.
• Commitment to continuous learning and quality improvement.

• Determine patient eligibility at study sites.
• Consent study subjects.
• Collect all required data during hospitalization.
• Ensure safety and confidentiality of the data collected.
• Collect specimens and conduct appropriate laboratory testing.
• Work hand in hand with the Team Site Lead to ensure consistent quality in data collection and seamless clinical and research activities.
• Uphold high level of professional conduct.
• Work hand in hand with the Team Site Lead and Study Coordinator to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data collected.
• Uphold high level of professional conduct
• Conduct all procedures as indicated in the study protocol
• Adhere to standard operating procedures
• Any other duties as assigned.

• Ability to communicate effectively in English and local language commonly spoken within the study area (Langi, Lusoga and Luganda).
• Must be able to relate and communicate with children, caregivers, clinicians, and other healthcare workers.
• Knowledge of research ethics, informed consent procedures, participant confidentiality, and data quality assurance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), email communication, and general internet use.
• Excellent clinical assessment and pediatric nursing skills.
• High standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation and high-quality data collection.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team.
• Good problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• High level of emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion when interacting with children and caregivers.
• Ability to work in busy clinical environments and adapt to changing priorities.
• Commitment to maintaining participant confidentiality and adherence to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and study protocols.
• Willingness to travel within the study area and work flexible hours, including weekends or public holidays when required by study activities.
• Commitment to continuous learning and quality improvement.

• Certificate or Diploma in Nursing.
• Must be registered with the Ugandan Nurses and Midwives Council.
• Must hold a valid practicing license.
• Certification in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is required. Candidates without current certification should be willing to undertake GCP training before study initiation.