The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in five programs: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases and Maternal Child and Reproductive Health. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction, a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.

The SMV Delivery project is a 42-month initiative funded by EDCTP3, aiming to identify the most effective strategy for administering annual booster doses of the recently approved R21/Matrix malaria vaccine in areas with seasonal malaria transmission. Malaria vaccines RTS,S/AS01E and R21/Matrix offer high initial protection, but their efficacy wanes over time. In seasonal transmission areas, there is ongoing debate on the best approach to delivering booster doses to maximize coverage and reduce malaria incidence. The SMV Delivery project is a pragmatic implementation study designed to contribute to optimizing malaria vaccine booster delivery in Mali and Guinea. The study compares different strategies: Season-based vs. age-based approaches; and mass community campaigns vs. health facility-based distribution. The goal is to determine which delivery method ensures better coverage and higher impact on malaria incidence.

The project is led by Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre (Netherlands), in collaboration with the Université des Sciences des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (Mali), Centre National de Formation et de Recherche en Santé Rurale de Maferinyah (Guinea), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (United Kingdom) and ISGlobal. Within this project, the Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health program in ISGlobal leads and coordinates the work package dedicated to social research, health economics and implementation science.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Social Science & Economic Studies work package consists of three sub-studies derived from implementation and social sciences disciplines. The primary objectives are to understand community responses to the deployment of malaria vaccines and to assess the operational aspects and cost-effectiveness of the seasonal malaria vaccination delivery systems implemented in Guinea and Mali. ISGlobal is seeking a highly motivated Social Science Research Assistant with expertise in mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) to support the coordination and implementation of research activities, including research design, data collection, and data analysis, across the various sub-studies. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the ISGlobal work package lead.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Social Science Research Assistant will, under the direct supervision of the Senior Anthropologist leading the Social Science & Economic Studies WP of the project:
  • Collaborate closely with the WP lead to monitor and support research activities carried out by local social science teams from each participating country, ensuring adherence to the study protocol and effective coordination.
  • Provide technical support throughout the implementation of sub-studies, offering methodological guidance for both qualitative and quantitative research approaches.
  • Review and provide constructive feedback on technical deliverables submitted by local social science teams.
  • Assist in planning, organizing, and implementing field data collection activities in coordination with local teams and other WP members.
  • Help coordinate and actively participate in meetings and research workshops with partners, contributing to agenda-setting, documentation, and follow-up activities.
  • Contribute to data analysis and interpretation in collaboration with the WP research team, ensuring findings are aligned with the project’s evaluation framework and objectives.
  • Assist in generating writing outputs, such as technical reports, and support the scientific production derived from the study (including manuscripts and other dissemination materials).
  • Fulfill additional duties as required depending on the project’s evolving needs

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• The candidate will be expected to:
  • Work on a part-time schedule.
  • Collaborate closely with the WP lead.
  • Interact effectively with the local country teams and other consortium members. 
  • Travel to project countries as needed to support local teams during fieldwork periods.
  • Participate in consortium meetings and relevant project events, when needed

AUXILIAR TASKS

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may evolve at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is appropriate consultation with the post-holder.

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual professional assessment process.

SKILLS

• Excellent writing and presentation skills, with the ability to produce clear, high-quality technical reports.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Proven capacity to work independently and collaboratively within diverse, multidisciplinary research teams.
• Solid methodological expertise in qualitative and mixed-methods research.
• Experience in reviewing and revising qualitative research tools and transcripts.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a flexible and open-minded approach to teamwork and new ways of working.

The post holder will adhere to ISGlobal principles contained in People management policy, including Equity, diversity and health safety. The post holder will respect, and be accountable to ensure ISGlobal policies and procedures.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant discipline within the social sciences or related fields (e.g., Sociology, Public Health, Development Studies, Social Psychology, Social Anthropology).
• Proven training and research skills in social sciences, with a focus on qualitative and/or mixed-methods research at the master’s or postgraduate level.
• Experience:
  • Essential:
    • Experience in conducting qualitative and mixed methods research
      Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative data analysis software (e.g. R, Stata, Atlas.ti) for data analysis.
    • Experience in developing research instruments, such as interview guides or survey questionnaires
    • Experience in field research in low-income countries.
    • A genuine interest in social sciences.
  • Desirable:
    • Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa, preferably West Africa.
    • Background in large, multi-country or multi-partner research projects, including protocol development.
    • Familiarity with research grant management and European-funded projects (e.g., EDCTP).
    • Interest in conducting research in Global Health, particularly in the field of
    • Maternal, Child, or Reproductive Health.
    • Prior experience contributing to scientific publications.
    • At least of 2 years' experience in an international research setting.

LANGUAGE LEVEL

• Advanced proficiency in English (spoken and written); knowledge of Catalan and Spanish; working knowledge of French is an asset.

CONDITIONS

• Duration: 14 monts
• Starting date: 01/09/2025
• Contract Type: Part time

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must fill in the request form and attach the CV and a Cover Letter. Each attached document must be named with the candidate name and surname.

The receipt of applications will be open until 10th of July2025.

The interviews could be placed during the reception of candidatures period.

Diverse candidatures are encouraged, that includes: gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political views.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process is designed in two phases:
1- Interview phase of a technical nature, with the team that requires the incorporation. To assess the person's skills and CV.
2 - Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.

If needed any technical test could be passed. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for the structural or transversal positions.

In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.

In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

We confirm our commitment towards the value of the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide.