Research Officer (MD) at Ifakara Health Institute Tanzania

The Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health through the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), the President’s Office, Regional Administration, and Local Government (PO-RALG), National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) are jointly implementing the second phase of the project on molecular surveillance of malaria in Mainland Tanzania (MSMT2). IHI is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Research Officer (MD) to perform field activities for the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in and help with coordination of different field surveys, including the health facility survey in all regions of Mainland Tanzania, longitudinal health facility follow-up, entomological, and community surveys in the five regions of Kagera, Kigoma, Njombe, Ruvuma and Tanga.
• Participate in the preparation of different study documents such as informed consent forms (ICFs), Case report forms (CRFs), study logs, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and others.
• Coordinate and ensure health facility staff and other researchers involved in the different surveys are adequately trained on study protocol, good clinical practices (GCP) and good clinical laboratory practices (GCLP), SOPs and any other relevant study procedures.
• Ensure the samples and data which are collected in the different surveys are reliable and accurate, and are collected and stored in adherence to GCP and GCLP, the study protocol and other relevant guidelines.
• Help the project Coordinator to develop the plans for and provide clarity of the different project activities and support their implementation.
• Take part in developing specific plans of the activities which will be implemented during field surveys and supportive supervision, and coordinate all supervision visits for the different surveys.
• Lead the team and conduct supportive supervision to health facilities and communities involved in different field activities.
• Facilitate engagement of regional and district teams in the implementation of different project activities in their respective areas.
• Work with other members of the project to identify the research materials needed in each survey and make sure each health facility or study team receives adequate materials.
• Help other members of the project to provide support to the IHI procurement unit in the procurement of research materials for different project activities.
• Ensure good and effective communication is employed at all times while interacting and working with different stakeholders, including regional and district authorities, the communities, health facility staff, community health workers, project staff and field teams; for successful implementation of project activities.
• Participate in writing study reports and manuscripts.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Qualification and Experience

• Degree in Medical Sciences (Medical Degree) or public health.
• Experience in conducting medical research, especially in data collection and processing for malaria molecular surveillance or genomics of other pathogens.
• Experience of conducting supportive supervision to health facility staff and other study teams.
• Experience of working with the MSMT2 project will be an added advantage.

 Skills and Competencies

• Good interpersonal and communication skills including ICT knowledge.
• The applicant should have complex problem-solving skills, decision-making, critical thinking, time management, and teamwork skills.
• The applicant must have the ability to work independently, and with minimal supervision, and good verbal and written communication skills; with good commands of both Kiswahili and English.
• Attentive to details and leadership skills.
• Good clinical practices and good clinical laboratory practices.

Remuneration  

An attractive and competitive remuneration package will be offered to successful candidates as per IHI salary scales.

Equal Opportunity

IHI is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit intentional biases or discrimination and harassment of any kind at the work place and during recruitment. All employment decisions are based solely on job requirements and individual qualifications, and our recruitment process is governed by the labour laws of Tanzania.

Mode of Application

All candidates who meet the above job requirements should send their application letters together with their detailed curriculum vitae (CVs) showing contact addresses including email, telephone/cell phone numbers and copies of academic and professional certificates to the email address below.

The deadline for this application is 16:30 hrs on Friday, 22 August 2025. All e-mail application subject lines should include: RESEARCH OFFICER (MD) – MSMT-2. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview. 

Senior Human Resources & Administration Manager

IFAKARA HEALTH INSTITUTE

Plot 463 Mikocheni

P.O. Box 78,373

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Email: [email protected]