Background

ABS Consulting Group is seeking to recruit a Senior Research Officer for the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC). This role is crucial for supporting the management and coordination of research projects focused on HIV prevention, treatment, and care.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Developing and reviewing research methodologies, study protocols, data collection tools, and ethical submissions to ensure scientific rigor and compliance with national research standards.
• Supporting the design and implementation of research agenda, surveys, operational studies, and evaluations that generate evidence for the national HIV and AIDS response in line with national goals and priorities.
• Conducting and overseeing data collection, data management, and advanced data analysis to produce high-quality evidence and insights for policy and programme planning.
• Reviewing, validating, and identifying evidence gaps in research reports, datasets, and evidence products submitted by sectors, districts, and implementing partners to ensure quality, accuracy, relevance, and alignment with national priorities.
• Preparing and disseminating research reports, policy briefs, evidence summaries, and technical papers, and facilitating knowledge-sharing activities such as dissemination workshops and stakeholder dialogues.
• Coordinating research activities with MDAs, Local Governments, CSOs, academic institutions, and development partners to strengthen collaboration and avoid duplication.
• Managing and updating institutional research databases, repositories, and information systems to ensure proper storage, accessibility, and use of strategic information.
• Ensuring compliance with ethical standards, data protection laws, and institutional research procedures for all studies conducted or coordinated by UAC.
• Supporting resource mobilization efforts by contributing to proposals, concept notes, and partnerships that fund research and evidence-generation activities.
• Representing UAC in national technical working groups, research committees, and professional fora on HIV and AIDS research and strategic information.
• Providing technical guidance and mentorship to Research Institutions, Research Officers, district coordination teams, and implementing partners to ensure adherence to ethical guidelines, including informed consent and data privacy.

Person Specifications

Academic Qualifications

• Either a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree or an honors bachelor’s degree in Public Health from a recognised University or institution.
• A Master’s degree in either Medicine, Epidemiology, or Public Health from a recognised University or institution.

Work Experience

• At least three (3) years’ work experience as a Research Officer or equivalent level in government or a reputable institution.

Required Competences

Technical Competences

• Problem-solving skills and decision-making
• Knowledge management
• Policy Management
• Change management
• Planning, Organizing, and Coordinating
• Information technology

Behavioural Competences

• Ethics and Integrity
• Accountability
• Communicating effectively
• Creativity and innovation
• Assertiveness and self-confidence
• Time management
• Teamwork
• Result orientation

• Developing and reviewing research methodologies, study protocols, data collection tools, and ethical submissions to ensure scientific rigor and compliance with national research standards.
• Supporting the design and implementation of research agenda, surveys, operational studies, and evaluations that generate evidence for the national HIV and AIDS response in line with national goals and priorities.
• Conducting and overseeing data collection, data management, and advanced data analysis to produce high-quality evidence and insights for policy and programme planning.
• Reviewing, validating, and identifying evidence gaps in research reports, datasets, and evidence products submitted by sectors, districts, and implementing partners to ensure quality, accuracy, relevance, and alignment with national priorities.
• Preparing and disseminating research reports, policy briefs, evidence summaries, and technical papers, and facilitating knowledge-sharing activities such as dissemination workshops and stakeholder dialogues.
• Coordinating research activities with MDAs, Local Governments, CSOs, academic institutions, and development partners to strengthen collaboration and avoid duplication.
• Managing and updating institutional research databases, repositories, and information systems to ensure proper storage, accessibility, and use of strategic information.
• Ensuring compliance with ethical standards, data protection laws, and institutional research procedures for all studies conducted or coordinated by UAC.
• Supporting resource mobilization efforts by contributing to proposals, concept notes, and partnerships that fund research and evidence-generation activities.
• Representing UAC in national technical working groups, research committees, and professional fora on HIV and AIDS research and strategic information.
• Providing technical guidance and mentorship to Research Institutions, Research Officers, district coordination teams, and implementing partners to ensure adherence to ethical guidelines, including informed consent and data privacy.

• Problem-solving skills and decision-making
• Knowledge management
• Policy Management
• Change management
• Planning, Organizing, and Coordinating
• Information technology
• Ethics and Integrity
• Accountability
• Communicating effectively
• Creativity and innovation
• Assertiveness and self-confidence
• Time management
• Teamwork
• Result orientation

• Either a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree or an honors bachelor’s degree in Public Health from a recognised University or institution.
• A Master’s degree in either Medicine, Epidemiology, or Public Health from a recognised University or institution.