The Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Programme (MLW) is a world-class health research institution committed to improving health through research, capacity building, and strong partnerships.

The Social Science and Health Systems (SSHS) theme at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme (MW) conducts multi-disciplinary social science and health systems research to enhance community and health system resilience in Malawi and beyond.

The Malawi–Liverpool–Wellcome Programme (MLW) is seeking to hire two Social Scientists for the THRIVE project: “Transforming Health, community Resilience, and Inclusion in Vulnerable Environments affected by extreme weather events in Malawi – Shaping local policy and action to improve nutrition, mental health and well-being among smallholder farming and fishing communities in Mangochi and Zomba.” These positions shall be based within the Social Science and Health Systems (SSHS) department and reporting to the Principal Investigator (PI).

THRIVE is delivered by a consortium of research institutions including the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme (MLW), the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), the University of Liverpool, and the United Nations University.

THRIVE aims to strengthen community resilience: empowered communities that can adapt and mitigate the nutrition and mental health impacts of extreme weather events (EWEs). To achieve this, our research focuses on three outcomes.

• Enhanced understanding of the links between EWEs, nutrition and mental health, associated causal pathways in the wider food, health and economic systems, and existing resilience strategies among communities who have recently been exposed to EWEs.
• New evidence generated on previous (and projected) climate change impacts on undernutrition and mental health.
• Evidence of the feasibility, costs and effects of co-created community-driven resilience strategies to improve nutrition and mental health outcomes in the context of EWEs.

THRIVE research will provide evidence for the National Health Adaptation Plan and district health adaptation plans – ensuring these plans include evidence-based resilience strategies aimed at improving nutrition and mental health, informed by community voices. THRIVE is an affiliated project of the Institute for Resilient Health Systems (IRHS) of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. IRHS is committed to advancing health systems resilience worldwide. The Institute is bringing together a growing cross-disciplinary network of researchers who, through partnerships with a special focus on underserved communities, contribute to health systems’ abilities to prepare, adapt, and transform in the face of shocks and stressors and reduce avoidable and unfair differences in health worldwide.

Responsibilities or duties

The Social Scientists will be responsible for all field and data-related aspects of the THRIVE Study under work package 1 (a citizen ethnographic study) and work package 3 (participatory action research) in Mangochi or Zomba. they will work in a broader team responsible for the qualitative research component of THRIVE, contributing to study design, tool development, and application for ethics. The role will particularly mentor citizen ethnographers and community members participating in all phases of the research, making sure that quality qualitative data are collected, upholding ethical and safeguarding requirements. they will also take the lead in qualitative data analysis and reporting, working alongside a Lecturer, a PDRA, and the Principal Investigator. The role will also be responsible for efficient and effective communication and planning with the study communities’ leadership, the District Health Office, other relevant departments, and collaborating partners at district level. The role will also contribute to the implementation of the Community Engagement and Communication Plan.

• Provide technical support, including development of study protocols, data tools, and standard operating procedures.
• Plan, monitor and evaluate data collection processes, including monitoring of outputs (field notes, focus group discussions, interviews) and adherence to study protocols and quality procedures. Report protocol deviations to PI.
• Conduct quality checks of transcripts in collaboration with data team members and research partners.
• Train and effectively mentor and supervise 4 citizen ethnographers to ensure timely and quality data collection and prompt troubleshooting.
• Conduct regular field visits to oversee set-up of study and monitor data quality and accuracy.
• Uphold field team morale, identify problem areas or performance issues, take appropriate action, and address training needs.
• Supervise and/or conduct data collection.
• Ensure consenting, safeguarding and research ethics are done according to international guidelines.
• Provide regular written progress reports and feedback to PI and the Programme Management Committee (PMC) to provide up-to-date documentation of all research activities, and attend bi-weekly Work Package meetings, and PMC meetings as needed.
• Maintain effective and efficient communication and planning with the study communities’ leadership, the District Health Office (DHO), other relevant departments, and collaborating partners at district level.
• Work together with the Community Engagement lead on community entry and validation meetings and contribute to specific Working Groups within THRIVE.
• Oversee organisational, budgetary, and logistical tasks in the field.
• Submit project deliverables, such as reports and financial statements on time.
• Leading or contributing to scientific manuscripts, summaries, and policy briefs.
• Lead drafting of abstracts for conferences.

Qualifications or requirements

Relevant Master, e.g., in sociology, public health or a related social science with qualitative research training.

Experience needed

• Three or more years of research and project management experience.
• Two or more years of experience in a management or supervisory role.
• Experience with conducting community-based health research, including with vulnerable communities and marginalised groups
• Experiences with ethnographic methods, nutrition, or mental health are assets.
• Experience with data handling including the use of relevant software such as NVivo.

KEY COMPETENCIES / ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Fluent in Chichewa, Yao is an asset.
• Adaptable to changing priorities.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team.

• Provide technical support, including development of study protocols, data tools, and standard operating procedures.
• Plan, monitor and evaluate data collection processes, including monitoring of outputs (field notes, focus group discussions, interviews) and adherence to study protocols and quality procedures. Report protocol deviations to PI.
• Conduct quality checks of transcripts in collaboration with data team members and research partners.
• Train and effectively mentor and supervise 4 citizen ethnographers to ensure timely and quality data collection and prompt troubleshooting.
• Conduct regular field visits to oversee set-up of study and monitor data quality and accuracy.
• Uphold field team morale, identify problem areas or performance issues, take appropriate action, and address training needs.
• Supervise and/or conduct data collection.
• Ensure consenting, safeguarding and research ethics are done according to international guidelines.
• Provide regular written progress reports and feedback to PI and the Programme Management Committee (PMC) to provide up-to-date documentation of all research activities, and attend bi-weekly Work Package meetings, and PMC meetings as needed.
• Maintain effective and efficient communication and planning with the study communities’ leadership, the District Health Office (DHO), other relevant departments, and collaborating partners at district level.
• Work together with the Community Engagement lead on community entry and validation meetings and contribute to specific Working Groups within THRIVE.
• Oversee organisational, budgetary, and logistical tasks in the field.
• Submit project deliverables, such as reports and financial statements on time.
• Leading or contributing to scientific manuscripts, summaries, and policy briefs.
• Lead drafting of abstracts for conferences.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Fluent in Chichewa, Yao is an asset.
• Adaptable to changing priorities.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team.

• Primary & Secondary Schooling (K-12)
• Relevant Master, e.g., in sociology, public health or a related social science with qualitative research training.