Background

PATH, in collaboration with the International Community of Women Living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA) and the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), is implementing the SAFEStart+ project, a four-year initiative funded by Unitaid.

The project aims to accelerate country- and community-led efforts toward the elimination of vertical transmission (EVT) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B virus (HBV). It focuses on strengthening the integration of prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up services within routine maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) platforms to ensure that pregnant and breastfeeding women, their infants, and families have timely and equitable access to essential healthcare services.

As part of this initiative, SAFEStart+ is conducting a multicountry mixed-methods study entitled “Assessing Values and Preferences Towards Integrated Delivery Strategies to Eliminate Vertical Transmission of HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B Virus, and Chagas Disease.” In Uganda, the study will be conducted in five districts and cities in the south-central region: Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka City, Lwengo, and Kyotera. The study will explore the values, preferences, experiences, and perspectives of women, adolescent girls, male partners, healthcare workers, and program managers regarding integrated EVT service delivery approaches. The participating health facilities and target populations are presented in Section 6.

Study Approach and Data Collection Phases

The study will employ a mixed-methods approach, implemented in two sequential phases:

Phase 1: Qualitative Data Collection (20 days, including training and orientation)

This phase will involve:

• Focus group discussions (FGDs) with pregnant and breastfeeding women, adolescent girls and young women, non-pregnant women of reproductive age, male partners, facility-based healthcare workers, and community health workers.
• Key informant interviews (KIIs) with relevant program managers and other designated stakeholders.

Phase 2: Quantitative Data Collection (15 days)

Findings from the qualitative phase will inform the quantitative phase, which will involve cross-sectional surveys among women and healthcare workers to further assess their values, preferences, and experiences regarding integrated EVT services.

Objective of the Assignment

Overall Objective

To support the implementation of the SAFEStart+ Values and Preferences Study in Uganda through high-quality qualitative data collection, including participant mobilization, facilitation of focus group discussions, conduct of key informant interviews, transcription, and documentation of study findings in accordance with the approved study protocol and ethical requirements.

Scope of Work and Specific Responsibilities

The Research Assistants will work closely with the PATH Uganda and ICWEA SAFEStart+ project teams to undertake the following activities:

5.1 Training and Preparation

• Participate in a two-day study training covering the protocol, research ethics, informed consent procedures, qualitative data collection methods, and study tools.
• Participate in a one-day orientation at the assigned district and health facility.
• Review and demonstrate a clear understanding of the study protocol, standard operating procedures (SOPs), data collection guides, and informed consent and assent forms.
• Familiarize themselves with study eligibility criteria, participant recruitment procedures, and confidentiality requirements.

5.2 Participant Mobilization and Recruitment

• Support the identification and mobilization of eligible study participants in accordance with the approved sampling and recruitment procedures.
• Coordinate with designated health facility staff and community representatives to facilitate participant recruitment.
• Organize appropriate venues and logistical arrangements for FGDs and KIIs.
• Obtain and document informed consent and, where applicable, assent and parental or guardian permission in accordance with the approved protocol.

5.3 Qualitative Data Collection

• Facilitate and moderate FGDs using approved discussion guides.
• Conduct KIIs with identified program managers and other designated stakeholders.
• Take comprehensive field notes during FGDs and KIIs, documenting key observations, emerging issues, and relevant non-verbal interactions.
• Compile and organize field notes following each data collection session.
• Review completed data collection guides and identify emerging themes and issues requiring further exploration.
• Ensure that audio recordings are conducted only with appropriate participant consent.

5.4 Transcription, Translation, and Data Quality Assurance

• Transcribe audio-recorded FGDs and KIIs accurately and verbatim.
• Translate Luganda transcripts into English while preserving the original meaning, context, and terminology.
• Review, clean, and verify transcripts against audio recordings to ensure completeness, consistency, and accuracy.
• Maintain confidentiality and securely handle all study data, audio recordings, transcripts, and participant information.
• Submit completed transcripts, field notes, and other required documentation to the designated study supervisor within agreed timelines.

Study Locations and Target Populations

The qualitative and quantitative phases of the study will be conducted in five selected health facilities across Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka City, Lwengo, and Kyotera.

The planned qualitative data collection comprises 70 FGDs and 5 KIIs, distributed across the five study locations.

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies

Applicants should possess the following qualifications and competencies:

• At least a certificate in a health-related discipline, humanities, social sciences, or another relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience participating in research studies, surveys, or qualitative data collection assignments.
• Proven experience facilitating FGDs and conducting KIIs.
• Experience in qualitative data transcription, translation, thematic organization, and data quality assurance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel, as well as electronic communication and data collection tools.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, facilitation, listening, and problem-solving skills.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Luganda, including familiarity with relevant medical and public health terminology.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, and adhere to research ethics and participant protection requirements.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team and meet agreed deadlines.

Expected Deliverables

Each Research Assistant will be expected to submit the following deliverables for assigned data collection activities:

• Complete and clearly labeled audio recordings of FGDs and KIIs, where participants have consented to recording.
• Completed FGD/KII participant attendance or registration documentation, maintained separately from research responses to protect confidentiality.
• Comprehensive field notes and summaries from conducted FGDs and KIIs.
• Accurate, complete, and quality-checked verbatim transcripts in English, including translations from Luganda where applicable.
• All completed study documentation and data collection materials, submitted in accordance with the approved study procedures.

All deliverables must meet the required quality standards and be submitted to the designated offices as will be guided.

Duration and Period of Performance

The qualitative data collection assignment is expected to require 20 working days, including two days of training, one day of district and health facility orientation, and the remaining days for participant recruitment, data collection, transcription, and quality assurance.

• Participate in study training and orientation, and review the study protocol, standard operating procedures, data collection guides, and consent and assent forms.
• Support identification, mobilization, and recruitment of eligible study participants in accordance with approved procedures.
• Coordinate with health facility staff and community representatives, and organize venues and logistics for FGDs and KIIs.
• Obtain and document informed consent, assent, and parental or guardian permission where applicable.
• Facilitate and moderate FGDs using approved discussion guides and conduct KIIs with identified stakeholders.
• Take, compile, and organize comprehensive field notes, documenting observations, emerging issues, and non-verbal interactions.
• Review completed data collection guides and identify themes and issues requiring further exploration.
• Ensure audio recordings are made only with appropriate participant consent.
• Transcribe FGDs and KIIs accurately and verbatim, and translate Luganda transcripts into English while preserving meaning and context.
• Review, clean, and verify transcripts against audio recordings for completeness, consistency, and accuracy.
• Maintain confidentiality and securely handle study data, recordings, transcripts, and participant information.
• Submit completed transcripts, field notes, and other required documentation to the study supervisor within agreed timelines.

• Focus group discussion facilitation and moderation
• Key informant interviewing
• Qualitative data collection
• Transcription and translation
• Thematic organization and data quality assurance
• Microsoft Word and Excel
• Electronic communication and data collection tools
• Interpersonal communication, listening, and problem-solving
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Luganda
• Confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and research ethics
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and meet deadlines

• At least a certificate in a health-related discipline, humanities, social sciences, or another relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience participating in research studies, surveys, or qualitative data collection assignments.
• Proven experience facilitating FGDs and conducting KIIs.
• Experience in qualitative data transcription, translation, thematic organization, and data quality assurance.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Luganda, including familiarity with relevant medical and public health terminology.