Position Open: India Study Director and Ethnographers

[Guest guest]

India Study Director Position Opening

Summary: Project Parivartan is a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) funded

project awarded to Duke University (USA) to conduct research and evaluation of

structural interventions for HIV prevention among female sex workers (FSW) in

India (http://cira.med.yale.edu/parivartan/index.html).

The project involves collaboration with CARE-India, Hindustan Latex Family

Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT), and other partners in the BMGF-funded Avahan:

India’s AIDS Initiative.

Project Parivartan is engaged in documenting the process and outcome of

interventions aimed at mobilizing communities of sex workers, changing policing

policy and practice, and improving sex worker’s economic conditions. The project

will conduct qualitative research in 3-4 sites located in Tamil Nadu and Andhra

Pradesh, and compile quantitative data from multiple sites and sources. The

overall purpose of this project is to develop an analytical understanding of the

factors associated with successful implementation of structural interventions

and the different impacts of such interventions, and to assess the context of

risk among sex workers.

The India Study Director will direct and manage all administrative and research

related activities in India associated with Project Parivartan. S/he will be

based at the Central Project Office in Chennai or Hyderabad, with visits to

study sites in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The India Study Director will

report directly to the Principal Investigator (PI) located at Duke University.

Job duties:

• Provide scientific direction to two ethnographers; oversee the collection,

compilation and management of secondary data from numerous sources; provide

expertise in the development of methodological tools; and conduct ethnographic

research through site visits to locales in Tamil Nadu and/or Andhra Pradesh.

• Oversee day-to-day administrative operation of the research project including

supervision of administrative and research staff; ensuring that work plans and

timelines are implemented; designing and implementing policies and procedures

related to personnel, finance, and communication among the India Central Project

Office, study sites, and the Central Project Office at Duke University.

• Ensure regular communication and collaboration between the Duke-based and the

India-based research teams, including participation in weekly conference calls,

and organization of and participation in India team meetings, advisory board

meetings, retreats, etc. Maintain regular contact with the PI at Duke University

to discuss progress on the research activities. Serve as the primary contact in

India for Avahan, CARE, and HLFPPT partners.

• Participate with the Duke-based research team in analyzing qualitative and

quantitative data; and in developing manuals, reports, presentations, and

manuscripts (for peer review journals) based on these analyses

• Make presentations at local/national meetings on project activities

• Travel to field sites where projects with Avahan partners will be implemented

on a regular basis and travel to other parts of India, depending on the location

of the other research collaborations

• Serve as a liaison with the Duke-based Project Manager, including overseeing

coordination of the visits of the Duke PI and other researchers when they travel

to India

• Travel to the United States to meet with the PI and the staff from the Duke

Project Office once every year.

Requirements:

• Ph.D. in public health, social work, or allied field with at least 3 years

experience in directing/ implementing HIV/AIDS or related research projects

• At least 5 years experience working on projects related to HIV and AIDS in

India

• Fluency in English and Telugu or Tamil required; fluency in both Telugu and

Tamil preferred

• Capable of independently supervising and coordinating a staff of at least 4

people some of whom will be located off-site

• Experience in managing externally funded research projects that include

qualitative and quantitative methodologies

• Experience in managing high-level business responsibilities, including

personnel and financial administration

• Well developed computer skills – word processing, spreadsheets, email,

software for qualitative data analysis (e.g. NUD*IST, AtlasTI), and experience

in database development and management

• Excellent communication skills – oral and written

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task

To assure full consideration, please email resume/CV, and cover letter

describing interest in the position to alana.rosenberg@... by July 15.

Applicants must include the names and full contact information (postal address,

telephone numbers, email address) of at least three references who are familiar

with the candidate’s professional work. Salary commensurate with qualifications.

__________________________

Ethnographers Required (2)

Project Parivartan wishes to recruit two Ethnographers.

Job Duties:

• Participate in the development of qualitative data collection instruments.

• Conduct participant observation of the environment of sex work in Tamil Nadu

and Andhra Pradesh.

• Conduct focus group and key informant interviews with sex workers and key

stakeholders, such as police, community leaders, non-sex worker community

residents, local business owners, NGO staff, etc. This includes recruiting

participants, organizing interview and focus group logistics, participating in

the design of interview guides, and facilitating the interview or focus group.

• Keep extensive, detailed, and accurate field notes in English (typed).

• Develop and maintain relationships with NGO staff and government officials at

the study sites.

• Collect and analyze media reports, meeting minutes, policies, and other text

data.

• Transcribe, code, summarize, and assist with analysis of qualitative data;

draft summary reports.

• Other duties as deemed necessary by the India Study Director.

The successful candidate should possess the following requirements:

• Several years work experience in the field of sexuality and HIV/AIDS.

Experience in collecting qualitative data (focus groups, field work, open-ended

interviews) preferred

• M.Phil or recent PhD in social sciences, humanities, or social work. Doctoral

students in the social sciences or humanities may also apply.

• Strong work ethic

• Interest to work with sex workers

• Fluent ability to read, write and speak English

• Fluency in Tamil or Telugu, fluency in both preferred

• Familiarity with MS Office and e-mail

• Ability to travel in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu for at least 40% of time

To receive full consideration, interested candidates should submit their resume

by e-mail to alana.rosenberg@... by July 15. Applications must include the

names and full contact information (postal address, telephone numbers, e-mail

address) of at least two people who are familiar with the candidate’s

professional work and/or academic training. A one-page English writing sample

on any subject must be included.

" Rosenberg, Alana "

e-mail: <Alana.Rosenberg@...>