Social Scientist

Job description

Zambart

Research and Development

to Improve Health for All

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Zambart is an independent Zambian research organization whose headquarters is at the University of Zambia’s Ridgeway Campus in Lusaka. Zambart is globally renowned for its interdisciplinary research on HIV and Tuberculosis and has contributed to HIV and TB policy and practice at national and global levels. Zambart’s research portfolio now includes a broader scope of urgent public health issues. Zambart staff form an interdisciplinary team with a range of expertise including epidemiology, clinical science, social science, laboratory, operations research, health systems and services research, health policy analysis, health economics, health communication and counselling.

Study summary:

Co-designing Health Innovations to reach Mobile Men with Co-Morbidities in Uganda and Zambia (HIMM) Study is a 4.5-year cross-national (Zambia and Uganda) study funded by the NovoNordisk, Denmark. For men whose livelihoods depend on travel away from a primary residence, mobility complicates diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and continuity of care, critical for managing co-morbidities. Mobile men need flexible, mobility-sensitive health strategies to attain universal access to health care. The HIMM study seeks to co-adapt/codesign a mobility-sensitive intervention that can support mobile men’s access to care for NCD-ID comorbidity whilst being on the move. The HIMM study aims to fill this mandate through five work packages to be conducted in Chawama (Lusaka) and Dambwa (Livingstone). This study is a collaboration between research institutions in the UK, Uganda, Zambia, Belgium and Sweden.

To support our research activities, we seek to recruit male candidates that will fulfil the position of Social Science Graduate Researchers in Chawama and Dambwa.

Position: Social Scientists (02) Full-Time

Reporting to: Study Manager

Job Location: Lusaka-Chawama community (01) and Livingstone- Dambwa community (01)

Position Summary:

The social scientists will be responsible for qualitative data collection activities, including the consent process, during the “HIMM” study. The role is open to recent graduates with some exposure to qualitative research and a strong interest in public health research.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Planning and implementation of qualitative research activities for the HIMM study.
• Introducing study and related activities to stakeholders and study participants in study communities.
• Providing study information and obtaining informed consent from study participants while maintaining privacy, confidentiality, and respect.
• Conducting qualitative research activities including participant recruitment and data collection using qualitative research methods (focus group discussions, interviews, observations).
• Writing field notes and summaries of the data collected
• Transcribing audio recordings of collected data
• Managing and organizing qualitative research data
• Analyzing qualitative research data including conducting rapid qualitative assessments
• Supporting study outputs (policy, practical, academic)
• Supporting preparation of reports for the funder on the study activities
• Any other duties as may be assigned by supervisor

Minimum requirements:

• Degree in sociology, anthropology, demography, public health, development studies, psychology, social work, gender studies, or any other linked social science or health-related qualification from a reputable higher education institution
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively
• Strong writing skills
• Desire for a career in academic research
• Organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgement, high ethical standards, and operational focus       
• Computer literate
• Fluent in English; Nyanja and Bemba for Lusaka and Tonga and Lozi for Livingstone.

Added advantage:

• Previous experience working on HIV, NCD, men’s/ mobile men’s health
• Experience or training in qualitative research methods and transcription
• Experience or training with using qualitative analysis software -Atlas.ti, NVivo 
• Preferably based in Lusaka province (ideally Chawama) and Southern province (ideally Dambwa)

Desirable qualities:

• Respectful and honest.
• A team player
• Attentive to details
• Ability to learn quickly and accept feedback.

How to Apply:

Applicants meeting the criteria for the above jobs should send their latest CVs, three traceable reference contacts, and a cover letter outlining clearly how they meet the above criteria to: The Head of Human Resources, Zambart Head Office, Ridgeway Campus, P.O Box 50697, Lusaka, or send your application via email to jobs@zambart.org.zm

Closing Date:

The closing date for the receipt of the applications will be 17^th July 2026.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.