Job Announcement

🏢 Organization: University of Global Health Equity (UGHE)
🏥 Department: Center for Equity in Global Surgery (CEGS)
📍 Duty Station: Kigali, Rwanda (with frequent travel to research sites across Rwanda and occasional travel to Musanze)
🗓 Application Deadline: (As per UGHE application portal)

Position: Research Assistant

Reporting to: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Contract Type: Full-Time
Start Date: As soon as possible

Project Background

The Research Assistant will support the research program titled:

“Rwanda912: Use of an innovative electronic communications platform to improve pre-hospital transport of injured people in Rwanda”

The project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), United Kingdom.

Implementation is conducted in close collaboration with:

• Rwanda Biomedical Center / Service d'aide Médicale Urgente (SAMU)

• University of Birmingham

• University of Rwanda

• Rwanda Build (local software development company)

• Health facilities across Rwanda

The project aims to strengthen emergency pre-hospital care systems through innovative digital communication platforms to improve outcomes for injured patients.

Position Overview

The Research Assistant will work across multiple UGHE departments and partner health facilities. The ideal candidate is highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, organized, diplomatic, flexible, and proactive, with a strong passion for research and health systems strengthening.

The role requires close collaboration with principal investigators (PIs), program managers, research teams, and stakeholders at both institutional and community levels.

Major Responsibilities

The Research Assistant will:

• Conduct qualitative and/or quantitative data collection at designated sites

• Perform data entry and ensure data quality assurance

• Participate in software requirement gathering and prototype testing

• Develop case scenarios and personas for training ambulance and dispatch teams

• Facilitate user training and conduct user acceptance testing surveys

• Support development of patient and health facility data collection tools

• Conduct qualitative research (in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, transcription, translation, desk reviews)

• Prepare user acceptance testing reports

• Stay updated on developments in access to quality healthcare for injuries in Rwanda and the region

• Support community engagement and outreach activities

• Participate in stakeholder engagement events organized by CEGS

• Work closely with PIs and the Program Manager to meet contractual deliverables

• Identify implementation gaps and propose corrective action plans

• Draft reports, presentations, posters, and project deliverables

• Conduct literature searches and support ethics review submissions

• Support interdisciplinary research collaboration

• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications and Requirements

• MBBS/MD or BSc in a health-related field

• MSc in Public Health, Global Health, or other health-related programs preferred

• Minimum 1 year of demonstrated qualitative and quantitative research experience

• Training in research methods, data collection, and analysis

• Practical experience in patient and community-based data collection

• Familiarity with data quality assurance procedures

• Strong knowledge of the Rwandan health system, particularly injuries and surgical care

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive

• Experience using qualitative and quantitative data collection tools

• Strong project management and organizational skills

• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams

• Excellent interpersonal skills and cross-cultural collaboration abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda

Safeguarding Commitment

UGHE is an equal opportunity employer committed to safeguarding and preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

The University ensures that students, staff, contractors, community members, and visitors are treated with dignity and respect. Pre-employment checks will be conducted in line with institutional safeguarding policies.

UGHE will request information from previous employers regarding findings of fraud, harassment, sexual misconduct, or systemic abuse. By applying, candidates confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Copy of Degree

• Cover Letter describing interest in UGHE and relevant experience